Carnarvon Castle
1926
(Albatros AL-177)
- Class: Passenger
- Displacement: 20,122 tons
- Dimensions: 631 x 73.5 x 33 ft
- Machinery: diesels, twin screw, 15,000 bhp = 16 knots
- Passengers: 851 (310 first class, 275 second class, 266 third class)
- Crew: 350
- Builder: Harland & Wolff, Limited, Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Launched: 14 Jan 1926
- Service: Built for Union Castle Line (British flag). Southampton-South Africa service. Maiden voyage 16 Jul 1926. Original configuration had two funnels, 15,000 bhp = 16 knot speed, accommodation for 311 first class, 276 second class, 266 third class and a crew of 350. Rebuilt 1937-38 w/ new B&W diesels, lengthened forepart, only one funnel, and accommodation for 226 first class, 245 second class, 188 tourist class. First voyage after rebuilding 8 Jul 1938, Southampton-Cape Town.
Entered service as armed merchant cruiser at Simonstown, 8 Sep 1939. On 5 Dec 1940 she fought a duel with the German raider Thor in the South Atlantic, during which she was hit 27 times with the loss of 4 dead and 28 wounded before turning away and making for Montevideo. Fitted out as troop transport at New York, 1944. Released from war service Mar 1947.
Refitted as emigrant ship for 1,283 passengers, service to South Africa, 1947-49. Overhauled and rebuilt at Harland & wolf in 1949-50; 20,141 tons, 216 first class, 401 tourist class. Resumed normal passenger service, 15 Jun 1950, serving to 1962. Scrapped in Japan, 1962.
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