SS Narkunda
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| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | Narkunda |
| Operator |
|
| Builder | Harland & Wolff , Belfast |
| Yard number | 471 |
| Launched | 25 April 1918 |
| In service | 30 March 1920 |
| Fate | Sunk on 14 November 1942 |
| General characteristics [1][2] | |
| Type | Ocean liner |
| Tonnage | 16,227 GRT |
| Length | 177.22 m (581 ft 5 in) |
| Beam | 21.16 m (69 ft 5 in) |
| Draft | 13.4 m (44 ft 0 in) |
| Installed power | 15,300 hp (11,253 kW) |
| Propulsion | Quadruple expansion steam engines, 2 Propeller |
| Speed | 17.5 knots (32 km/h) |
| Capacity | 673 total passengers |
The SS Narkunda was a
Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, which carried passengers and mail from Great Britain to Australia and later to the Far East
. From 1940 she served as a troop ship until she was sunk on 14 November 1942, on the Algerian coast during a German air raid.
Story
The
First World War significantly delayed the construction of the ship. It was not until 25 April 1918 that the 16,227 GRT "Narkunda" could be launched at Harland & Wolff. Her sister ship, also commissioned in 1913, the SS Naldera (15,825 GRT), was built by Caird & Company in Greenock, Scotland was launched in December 1917.[3]
The 177.22 meters long and 21.16 meter-long passenger and mail ship Narkunda had three funnels, two
Mediterranean to Australia. In 1927, coal was converted to oil combustion. In 1931 she was transferred to the Far East route, calling at various ports.[3]
After the outbreak of the
Second World War, the Narkunda initially continued its passenger service and called at Shanghai and Cape Town, among other places, until 1940 when it was taken over by the British Admiralty when Troopship and Auxiliary Cruiser were drafted. It was used during the Allied invasion of North Africa (see Operation Torch).[3]
After landing Allied troops in the Algerian port city of
DSC, on the return journey to Great Britain. On the evening of 14 November 1942, the Narkunda was bombed and sunk not far from Bougie by German fighter pilots (position 46°52′N 5°01′E / 46.867°N 5.017°E). 31 people lost their lives.[2]
The Narkunda was the third and final P&O ship lost in the area. Captain Parfitt survived and was later awarded the Lloyd's War Medal for Bravery at Sea.
Citations
- ^ "The Narkunda 1920". Uk Shipbuilders.
- ^ a b "SS Narkunda [+1942]". wrecksite.
- ^ a b c "SHIP DESCRIPTIONS - N". The Ship List.
