Sophocles
Ship Number
575
Vessel Type
Passenger Ship
Built
Belfast
Yard
East Yard
Slip Number
5
Launch Date
September 22, 1921
Delivered
February 2, 1922
Owner
George Thompson & Co.
Weight
12361 grt
BP Length
500 feet
Breadth
63 feet
No. of Screws
Twin
Speed (approx)
13.75 knots
Propulsion
Official No.
144805
Registered
Aberdeen
Fate
Scrapped
Sophocles

Started her maiden voyage on 1st March 1922 when she sailed from London for Capetown, Sydney and Brisbane. Chartered to Shaw Savill & Albion Line in 1926, she was renamed Tamaroa , converted to oil fuel with a speed of 15 knots, and used on the Southampton - Panama - Wellington service.
 
1931 refitted to carry 130-cabin class passengers.
 
1932 taken into Shaw Savill & Albion Line ownership from the receiver of the Aberdeen Line.
 
1940 converted to a troopship.
 
1948 resumed commercial service London - Panama - Wellington with accommodation for 372-tourist class passengers. 24th October 1956 started her final voyage.
 
March 1957 arrived at Blyth for scrapping.
 
[Merchant Fleets, vol.17 by Duncan Haws]
 
In the course of her 92 voyages, the Tamaroa has steamed over 2,000,000 miles, carried over three-quarters of a million tons of cargo between England, Australia and New Zealand. and some 30,000 passengers, in addition to the thousands of troops carried during the war.