Harland and Wolff - Shipbuilding and Engineering Works

Sister of the Worcestershire she was launched on 31st August 1905 and completed on 29th November. When the First World War was declared she remained on the Burma run until 25th July 1916 when she was requisitioned as a hospital ship for 380 patients serving Salonika, Mesopotamia and East Africa.

On 1st January 1918 she was decommissioned and on 4th February was narrowly missed by two torpedoes during her first Mediterranean convoy. When the torpedo tracks were spotted her Master, Capt.G. E. Millson, ordered the helm hard over and one engine to full astern which slewed the ship around. One torpedo passed under the counter stern missing by a foot or so and one of the torpedoes went on to hit P&O's Sardinia.

In 1920 she was refitted by Harland and Wolff and converted to oil burning. She was rebuilt for cargo services only in 1929 and equipped with, in addition to modifications for transiting the Manchester Ship Canal, a heavy lift derrick on the foremast.

In April 1933 she was laid up at Dartmouth and on 9th March 1934 left in tow bound for Clyde ship breakers. On 15th March she grounded on Cardigan Island and was a total loss.