Carnarvon Castle
Ship Number
595
Vessel Type
Passenger Ship
Built
Belfast
Yard
East Yard
Slip Number
11
Launch Date
January 14, 1926
Delivered
June 26, 1926
Owner
Union-Castle Mail Steamship Co.
Weight
20063 grt
BP Length
630 feet
Breadth
73 feet
No. of Screws
Twin
Speed (approx)
20 knots
Propulsion
2 Stroke Double Acting, Burmeister and Wain, 2 x 8 Cylinder, 3, 364 NHP
Official No.
148766
Registered
London
Fate
Scrapped
Carnarvon Castle

Built for Union Castle Line (British flag). Southampton-South Africa service, she was Unions Castle's first motorship to exceed 20,000 tons.
 
In 1937 she returned to Harland and Wolff for modernisation. She emerged in 1938 from her refit with two 10 cylinder 2 stroke double acting diesels, 26, 000 BHP, a single funnel and accommodation for 266 First class, 245 Second Class and 188 Third Class. She had trials on the 26th of June and resumed service on the 8th of July setting a new passage time of 12 days, 13 hours, 38 minutes which stood until 1954.
 
As an armed merchant cruiser, 1939-44 Pennant No. F25 on 5th December 1940 she fought a duel with the German raider Thor, during which she was hit 27 times resulting in 4 dead and 28 wounded.
 
Troopship service, 1944-47, Immigrant service to South Africa, 1947-49.
 
She underwent modernisation again in early 1949 at Harland and Wolff and resumed service on the 15th of June 1950 with passenger numbers of 216 First Class and 401 Tourist.
 
Resumed normal passenger service, 1950-62.
 
She continued as such until arriving at Mihara, Japan for breaking on the 8th of September 1963 after 37 years service.
 
The Transvaal Castle replaced her.