HMT Cameronia
Encyclopedia
Cameronia was a British ocean liner
which was built in 1920 by William Beardmore & Co Ltd
, Port Glasgow
for the Anchor Line . She was requisitioned for use as a troopship
in the Second World War, surviving a torpedo
attack. In 1953 she was requisitioned by the Ministry of Troop Transport
(MoTT) and renamed Empire Clyde. She was scrapped in 1957.
The ship was 552 in 4 in (168.35 m) long, with a beam of 70 in 4 in (21.44 m) and a depth of 38 in 8 in (11.79 m). She had a GRT
of 16,297 and a NRT
of 9,607. She was propelled by six Beardmore-built steam turbines, double reduction geared, driving twin screw propellors. which could propel her at 16 knots (31.4 km/h).
. She was a sister ship to . Although she was launched in December 1919, a strike
delayed her final completion. In April 1921, Cameronia was towed to Cherbourg, France
for final fitting out. She had accommodation for 265 1st class, 370 2nd class and 1,100 3rd class passengers. Cameronia departed Glasgow on 11 May 1921 on her maiden voyage
to Liverpool
and New York
. Cameronia was placed under the management of the Henderson Brothers Ltd. Her port of registry was Glasgow. The Code Letters
KHSQ and United Kingdom Official Number 144242 were allocated.
In October 1925, Cameronia rescued the crew of a United States Coast Guard
cutter that had caught fire. She was in collision with the Norwegian
steamship the following month. Her steering gear failed on a voyage in January 1926 and she returned to Glasgow for repairs. In August 1926, a collision with Cunard's was avoided by 6 feet (1.8 m). Cameronia underwent a refit in 1928 to correct her tendency to pitch heavily. In 1929, another refit saw her accommodation refitted to cabin/tourist class. She now had accommodation for 290 cabin class, 431 tourist class and 698 3rd class passengers. In 1934, Cameronia's Code Letters were changed to GDXS. She was laid up on the Clyde
in December 1934. In 1935, the Anchor Line went into liquidation, and Cameronia was one of the assets purchased by Anchor Line (1935) Ltd. She remained laid up until the autumn of 1935, when she entered service as a troopship. In spring 1936, she was again refitted and returned to use as an ocean liner. Cameronia participated in the 1937 Spithead Naval Review, where she was used as a floating grandstand.
as part of Convoy HXF 1, which departed Halifax, Nova Scotia
on 19 September 1939 and arrived at Liverpool on 29 September. Cameronia was bound for Glasgow. She made eleven unescorted round trips from Glasgow – New York in the period to December 1940, when she was requisitioned for use as a troopship. On 29 January 1941, Cameronia joined Convoy WS 5B at Freetown
, Sierra Leone
, sailing with the convoy to the Suez Canal
, where she arrived on 3 March. Cameronia was a member of Convoy GA 10, which arrived at Alexandria
, Egypt on 6 April 1941. On 23 March 1942, Cameronia departed the United Kingdom as a member of Convoy WS17, bound for Freetown. She departed Freetown on 11 April as part of Convoy WS17B bound for Cape Town
, South Africa
, arriving on 23 April. On 27 April, Cameronia departed Cape Town as part of Convoy WS 17 bound for Mombasa
, Kenya
, where she arrived on 8 May. On 10 May Cameronia departed Mombasa as part of Convoy WS 17BZ, arriving at Bombay, India
on 19 May. On 29th - 30th May 1941 in company with the Glen Line's Glengyle 6,000 Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
were evacuated from Sphakia at the end of the Battle of Crete
.
Cameronia served in the Mediterranean as an Infantry Landing Ship during the war, taking part in the British-American invasion of French North Africa
in November 1942. On 22 December 1942, Cameronia was hit by a torpedo dropped by a Junkers Ju 88
of III Gruppe, KG 26 off Algiers
, Algeria. A 288 square feet (26.8 m²) hole was blown in Cameronia's side and seventeen people were killed. also claimed to have damaged her. Cameronia managed to reach the port of Bougie
, Algeria
, from where she was escorted at 5 knots (9.8 km/h) to Algiers. She then sailed to Gibraltar
where temporary repairs were carried out. Cameronia then sailed to Glasgow for permanent repairs. Repairs were completed in June 1943 and Cameronia was then returned to service. On 29 August 1943, Cameronia departed Gibraltar as part of Convoy MKF 22, which had departed from Port Said
, Egypt on 19 August and arrived at the Clyde on 9 September. On 6 December 1943, Cameronia departed Oran
, Algeria with members of the 21st General Hospital. They were landed at Naples
, Italy
on 21 December. Cameronia was the largest troopship that took part in Operation Overlord
in June 1944. She served until the end of the war, when she was laid up.
, Elderslie
, giving her accommodation for 1,266 passengers in a single class. She was used to transport people emigrating to Australia. In 1953, Cameronia was sold to the MoTT and was renamed Empire Clyde, remaining under the management of Anchor Line. She served until 1957, arriving on 22 October at Newport
, Monmouthshire
for scrapping.
Ocean liner
An ocean liner is a ship designed to transport people from one seaport to another along regular long-distance maritime routes according to a schedule. Liners may also carry cargo or mail, and may sometimes be used for other purposes .Cargo vessels running to a schedule are sometimes referred to as...
which was built in 1920 by William Beardmore & Co Ltd
William Beardmore and Company
William Beardmore and Company was a Scottish engineering and shipbuilding conglomerate based in Glasgow and the surrounding Clydeside area. It was active between about 1890 and 1930 and at its peak employed about 40,000 people...
, Port Glasgow
Port Glasgow
Port Glasgow is the second largest town in the Inverclyde council area of Scotland. The population according to the 1991 census for Port Glasgow was 19426 persons and in the 2001 census was 16617 persons...
for the Anchor Line . She was requisitioned for use as a troopship
Troopship
A troopship is a ship used to carry soldiers, either in peacetime or wartime...
in the Second World War, surviving a torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
attack. In 1953 she was requisitioned by the Ministry of Troop Transport
Department for Transport
In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport is the government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are not devolved...
(MoTT) and renamed Empire Clyde. She was scrapped in 1957.
Description
The ship was built by William Beardmore & Co Ltd, Port Glasgow as yard number 584. She was launched on 23 December 1919, and completed in September 1920.The ship was 552 in 4 in (168.35 m) long, with a beam of 70 in 4 in (21.44 m) and a depth of 38 in 8 in (11.79 m). She had a GRT
Gross Register Tonnage
Gross register tonnage a ship's total internal volume expressed in "register tons", one of which equals to a volume of . It is calculated from the total permanently enclosed capacity of the vessel. The ship's net register tonnage is obtained by reducing the volume of non-revenue-earning spaces i.e...
of 16,297 and a NRT
Net register tonnage
Net register tonnage is a ship's cargo volume capacity expressed in "register tons", one of which equals to a volume of . It is calculated by reducing non-revenue-earning spaces i.e. spaces not available for carrying cargo, for example engine rooms, fuel tanks and crew quarters, from the ship's...
of 9,607. She was propelled by six Beardmore-built steam turbines, double reduction geared, driving twin screw propellors. which could propel her at 16 knots (31.4 km/h).
Pre war
Cameronia was built for the Anchor Line, which was owned by Cunard LineCunard Line
Cunard Line is a British-American owned shipping company based at Carnival House in Southampton, England and operated by Carnival UK. It has been a leading operator of passenger ships on the North Atlantic for over a century...
. She was a sister ship to . Although she was launched in December 1919, a strike
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
delayed her final completion. In April 1921, Cameronia was towed to Cherbourg, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
for final fitting out. She had accommodation for 265 1st class, 370 2nd class and 1,100 3rd class passengers. Cameronia departed Glasgow on 11 May 1921 on her maiden voyage
Maiden voyage
The maiden voyage of a ship, aircraft or other craft is the first journey made by the craft after shakedown. A number of traditions and superstitions are associated with it....
to Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
and New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Cameronia was placed under the management of the Henderson Brothers Ltd. Her port of registry was Glasgow. The Code Letters
Code letters
Code letters were a method of identifying ships before the introduction of modern navigation aids. Later, with the introduction of radio, code letters were also used as radio callsigns.-History:...
KHSQ and United Kingdom Official Number 144242 were allocated.
In October 1925, Cameronia rescued the crew of a United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
cutter that had caught fire. She was in collision with the Norwegian
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
steamship the following month. Her steering gear failed on a voyage in January 1926 and she returned to Glasgow for repairs. In August 1926, a collision with Cunard's was avoided by 6 feet (1.8 m). Cameronia underwent a refit in 1928 to correct her tendency to pitch heavily. In 1929, another refit saw her accommodation refitted to cabin/tourist class. She now had accommodation for 290 cabin class, 431 tourist class and 698 3rd class passengers. In 1934, Cameronia's Code Letters were changed to GDXS. She was laid up on the Clyde
River Clyde
The River Clyde is a major river in Scotland. It is the ninth longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third longest in Scotland. Flowing through the major city of Glasgow, it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire....
in December 1934. In 1935, the Anchor Line went into liquidation, and Cameronia was one of the assets purchased by Anchor Line (1935) Ltd. She remained laid up until the autumn of 1935, when she entered service as a troopship. In spring 1936, she was again refitted and returned to use as an ocean liner. Cameronia participated in the 1937 Spithead Naval Review, where she was used as a floating grandstand.
Second World War
War was declared in September 1939. Cameronia departed Glasgow on 5 September. During the voyage to New York, she rescued some of the survivors from , and was the first British ship to enter New York after war had been declared. Cameronia returned to the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
as part of Convoy HXF 1, which departed Halifax, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
on 19 September 1939 and arrived at Liverpool on 29 September. Cameronia was bound for Glasgow. She made eleven unescorted round trips from Glasgow – New York in the period to December 1940, when she was requisitioned for use as a troopship. On 29 January 1941, Cameronia joined Convoy WS 5B at Freetown
Freetown
Freetown is the capital and largest city of Sierra Leone, a country in West Africa. It is a major port city on the Atlantic Ocean located in the Western Area of the country, and had a city proper population of 772,873 at the 2004 census. The city is the economic, financial, and cultural center of...
, Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
, sailing with the convoy to the Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The Suez Canal , also known by the nickname "The Highway to India", is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Opened in November 1869 after 10 years of construction work, it allows water transportation between Europe and Asia without navigation...
, where she arrived on 3 March. Cameronia was a member of Convoy GA 10, which arrived at Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
, Egypt on 6 April 1941. On 23 March 1942, Cameronia departed the United Kingdom as a member of Convoy WS17, bound for Freetown. She departed Freetown on 11 April as part of Convoy WS17B bound for Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, arriving on 23 April. On 27 April, Cameronia departed Cape Town as part of Convoy WS 17 bound for Mombasa
Mombasa
Mombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry....
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, where she arrived on 8 May. On 10 May Cameronia departed Mombasa as part of Convoy WS 17BZ, arriving at Bombay, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
on 19 May. On 29th - 30th May 1941 in company with the Glen Line's Glengyle 6,000 Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland....
were evacuated from Sphakia at the end of the Battle of Crete
Battle of Crete
The Battle of Crete was a battle during World War II on the Greek island of Crete. It began on the morning of 20 May 1941, when Nazi Germany launched an airborne invasion of Crete under the code-name Unternehmen Merkur...
.
Cameronia served in the Mediterranean as an Infantry Landing Ship during the war, taking part in the British-American invasion of French North Africa
Operation Torch
Operation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
in November 1942. On 22 December 1942, Cameronia was hit by a torpedo dropped by a Junkers Ju 88
Junkers Ju 88
The Junkers Ju 88 was a World War II German Luftwaffe twin-engine, multi-role aircraft. Designed by Hugo Junkers' company through the services of two American aviation engineers in the mid-1930s, it suffered from a number of technical problems during the later stages of its development and early...
of III Gruppe, KG 26 off Algiers
Algiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
, Algeria. A 288 square feet (26.8 m²) hole was blown in Cameronia's side and seventeen people were killed. also claimed to have damaged her. Cameronia managed to reach the port of Bougie
Béjaïa
Béjaïa, Vgaiet or Bejaya is a Mediterranean port city on the Gulf of Béjaïa in Algeria; it is the capital of Béjaïa Province, Kabylia. Under French rule, it was formerly known under various European names, such as Budschaja in German, Bugia in Italian, and Bougie...
, Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
, from where she was escorted at 5 knots (9.8 km/h) to Algiers. She then sailed to Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
where temporary repairs were carried out. Cameronia then sailed to Glasgow for permanent repairs. Repairs were completed in June 1943 and Cameronia was then returned to service. On 29 August 1943, Cameronia departed Gibraltar as part of Convoy MKF 22, which had departed from Port Said
Port Said
Port Said is a city that lies in north east Egypt extending about 30 km along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, north of the Suez Canal, with an approximate population of 603,787...
, Egypt on 19 August and arrived at the Clyde on 9 September. On 6 December 1943, Cameronia departed Oran
Oran
Oran is a major city on the northwestern Mediterranean coast of Algeria, and the second largest city of the country.It is the capital of the Oran Province . The city has a population of 759,645 , while the metropolitan area has a population of approximately 1,500,000, making it the second largest...
, Algeria with members of the 21st General Hospital. They were landed at Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
on 21 December. Cameronia was the largest troopship that took part in Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
in June 1944. She served until the end of the war, when she was laid up.
Post war
In 1947, Cameronia was returned to service on trooping duties to Palestine. In 1948, she was refitted by Barclay, Curle & Co LtdBarclay Curle
-History:The company was founded by Robert Barclay at Stobcross in Glasgow, Scotland during 1818. In 1862, the company built a large engineering works at Stobcross in Glasgow. In 1876, the company moved their yard down the river to Whiteinch. It was incorporated in 1884 as Barclay Curle...
, Elderslie
Elderslie
Elderslie is a village in the council area and historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland. The village is situated midway between the nearby towns of Paisley and Johnstone....
, giving her accommodation for 1,266 passengers in a single class. She was used to transport people emigrating to Australia. In 1953, Cameronia was sold to the MoTT and was renamed Empire Clyde, remaining under the management of Anchor Line. She served until 1957, arriving on 22 October at Newport
Newport
Newport is a city and unitary authority area in Wales. Standing on the banks of the River Usk, it is located about east of Cardiff and is the largest urban area within the historic county boundaries of Monmouthshire and the preserved county of Gwent...
, Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire (historic)
Monmouthshire , also known as the County of Monmouth , is one of thirteen ancient counties of Wales and a former administrative county....
for scrapping.