Uganda
1982
(Albatros ALK-71)
- Type: Passenger
- Displacement: 16,907 grt
- Dimensions: 540 x 71 ft.
- Machinery: Steam turbines, twin screw, 12,300 SHP = 16 knots
- Passengers: 1,224 (304 cabin class, 920 students)
- Builder: Barclay, Curle & Company, Glasgow, Scotland, 1952
- Service:Uganda built for British India Line (British flag), England-East Africa service via the Suez Canal. Sister ship to Kenya with space for 300 passengers. Maiden voyage 2 Aug 1952 to Durban. Rebuilt as cruise ship, 1967-68; tonnage increased from 14,430 to 16,907 with space for 304 cabin class and 920 students in dormitories. First cruise from Southampton 27 Feb 1968; eventually based in Mediterranean for two -week cruises fed by air charter. Ownership changed to P & O's Passenger Division in 1972, but retained B.I. colors. Requistioned for use as hospital ship in Falklands War, 10 Apr 1982; passengers disembarked and rapid conversion at Gibraltar including helicopter deck (as shown here) and staffing w/ 124 medical personnel completed by 19 Apr. Arrived in war zone in May, she treated both British and Argentine casualties until the Argentine surrender in Jun. Deregistered as hospital ship 13 Jul and returned to Southampton with troops 9 Aug after 113 days service. Converted back to school ship and resumed cruising Sep 1982. Ended her commercial career Jan 1983 and began two-year charter to Ministry of Defence, trooping between Ascension Island and Port Stanley until new airport facilities in the Falklands were completed. Laid up, 1985. Sold to Taiwanese scrappers, but capsized at Kaohsiung during typhoon, August 1986.
Up