A29    SUEVIC
12,531 gross tons. Lb: 167.7 x 19.3 metres. Twin screw, quadruple expansion engine making 13.5 knots. Passenger/cargo (refrigerated) steamship built, completed 1901 by Harland & Wolff, Belfast for Oceanic SN Co Ltd, Liverpool (White Star Line).



INFORMATION to be ADDED

Leased by the Commonwealth until 9 September 1917. 21 December 1914 departed Sydney with C Squadron & 6th Australian Light Horse Regiment.

The 6th Light Horse Regiment sailed to Egypt and disembarked on 1 February 1915.

20-23 December 1915 embarked with 18th & 20th Battalions, 4th Battalion of Liverpool, NSW, 23rd Reinforcements & Medical Officers.

6th June 1916 embarked 44th Battalion from Fremantle.

11 November 1916 departed Sydney with 17th Battalion, 18th Reinforcements & Medical Officers for the Western Front.

21 June 1917 departed Melbourne with 27th Reinforcements for the 4th Light horse Regiment, 1st Pioneer Battalion & Medical Officers, arriving Liverpool England 26 August 1917.

Returned from England with sick and wounded soldiers, arriving in Sydney on 13 May 1918. 20 July 1918 embarked Medical Officers from Sydney.



INFORMATION to be ADDED

image personal collection

A30    BORDA
11,136 gross tons. Lb: 500' x 62'3" x 31'9" (152.4 x 19 metres). Twin screw, 2 x four cylinder quadruple expansion engine making 14 knots. 900ihp. Passenger/cargo (refrigerated) steamship launched December 1913 completed by Caird & Company, Greenock March 1914 for P & O SN Co, London. Designed for and placed upon the Great Britain - Australia emigrant service via the Cape of Good Hope (Branch Line)



INFORMATION to be ADDED



Leased by the Commonwealth until 10 September 1917.

December 22, 1914 embarked 1st Divisional Ammunition Column, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade at Melbourne.

17 October 1916 Medical Officers - From Sydney.

1917: Requisitioned by the Shipping Controller

23 June 1917 Medical Officers - From Adelaide.

29 June 1917 Medical Officers - From Fremantle.

17 July 1918 Medical Officers - From Sydney.





INFORMATION to be ADDED





1920: Returned to Branch Line service. 1928: Laid up. 12/03/1929: Last departure from Brisbane for the UK. 08/1930: Sold for £28,850 to Tokai Shoji Kabushiki Kaisha, Japan for demolition at Kobe

colour image personal collection

A31    AJANA
7,759 gross tons, 4873 net; 10400 dwt. Lb: 454' x 56'3" (138.4 x 17.1 metres). Twin screw, 2 x quadruple expansion 4 cylinder, 817 nhp. 13 knots. Passenger/cargo (refrigerated) steamship built by Russell & Co Port Glasgow for Australind SS Co Ltd, London.

Leased by the Commonwealth until 12 May 1917.



Units listed complete as known



9th November - 10th December 1914 converted at Cockatoo Island Drydock, Sydney to transport 427 troops and 304 horses

19 December 1914 departed Sydney with the 7th Light Horse Regiment (New South Wales) 2nd Light Horse Brigade "C" Squadron and their Machine Gun Section & the 1st Veterinary Section (New South Wales)
2nd January 1915 joined the Second Convoy after embarking troops at Fremantle
1st February 1915 at Egypt disembarked Troops
31st May 1915 departed Sydney with 5th Field Ambulance (New South Wales) Second Division (Part)
4th June 1915 departed Melbourne with 1st Division Ammunition Column 1st Division Artillery 6th Reinforcements (part), 6th Field Ambulance (Victoria) Second Division (part)
13 December 1915 departed Hobart with 26th Infantry Battalion (Queensland and Tasmania) 7th Infantry Brigade 7th Reinforcements (part), and supposedly embarked Medical Officers at Melbourne same date). 22 December 1915 departed Fremantle with 12th Infantry Battalion (Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia) 3rd Infantry Brigade 12th Reinforcements (part), 16th Infantry Battalion (Western Australia and South Australia) 4th Infantry Brigade 12th Reinforcements (part),
5th July 1916 departed Sydney with 21st Field Artillery Brigade (New South Wales) 1st Division Artillery 3rd Reinforcements, 22nd Field Artillery Brigade (New South Wales) 2nd Division Artillery 3rd Reinforcements, 21st Field Artillery Brigade (New South Wales) 1st Division Artillery 3rd Reinforcements, 22nd Field Artillery Brigade (New South Wales) 2nd Division Artillery 3rd Reinforcements, 19th Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 5th Infantry Brigade 13th Reinforcements, 20th Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 5th Infantry Brigade 13th Reinforcements, Engineers - 9th Field Company (New South Wales) Third Division,
8th July 1916 departed Melbourne with 57th Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 15th Infantry Brigade 3rd Reinforcements, 58th Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 15th Brigade 3rd Reinforcements,
18 January 1917 embarked Medical Officers at Sydney

12th May 1917 Again Requisitioned as an Australian Expeditionary Force Transport (17 officers, 410 other ranks, 304 horses) although no record known of such on board compliment at this juncture.
14 April 1917 Attacked by a submarine in the English Channel, but escaped.
29 July 1917: Chased by a submarine off the NW coast of Ireland but escaped.



Units Complete in Listing where known

Post Hostilities

12 April 1919: Taken up under the Liner Requisition Scheme.
25 November 1919: Sold to New Zealand Shipping Co.
April 1920 renamed OTARAMA.
29 February 1928 sold to D&E Fratelli Bozzo, Genoa and renamed AMARANTO.
November 1932 scrapped at Genoa

Right image personal collection

A32    THEMISTOCLES
11,231 gross tons. Lb: 152.6 x 19 metres. Twin screw, quadruple expansion engine making 15 knots. Passenger/cargo (refrigerated) steamship built and completed January 1911 by Harland & Wolff, Belfast for G Thompson & Co Ltd, London (Aberdeen Line).



All Units transported - complete

Leased by the Commonwealth until 20 October 1917

22 December 1914 departed Melbourne with 1st Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 1st Infantry Brigade 1st Reinforcements, 2nd Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 1st Infantry Brigade 1st Reinforcements, 3rd Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 1st Infantry Brigade 1st reinforcements, 4th Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 1st Infantry Brigade 1st reinforcements, 5th Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 2nd Infantry Brigade 1st reinforcements, 5th Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 2nd Infantry Brigade 1st reinforcements, 6th Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 2nd Infantry Brigade 1st reinforcements, 7th Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 2nd Infantry Brigade 1st reinforcements, 8th Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 2nd Infantry Brigade 1st reinforcements, 9th Infantry Battalion (Queensland) 3rd Infantry Brigade 1st reinforcements, 10th Infantry Battalion (South Australia) 3rd Infantry Brigade 1st reinforcements, 11th Infantry Battalion (Western Australia) 3rd Infantry Brigade 1st reinforcements, 12th Infantry Battalion (Tasmania, Western Australia & South Australia) 3rd Infantry Brigade 1st reinforcements
12 May 1915 departed Sydney with 17th Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 5th Infantry Brigade and their 1st reinforcements, 18th Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 5th Infantry Brigade 1st reinforcements, 19th Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 5th Infantry Brigade 1st reinforcements
23rd July 1915 departed Fremantle with 28th Infantry Battalion (Western Australia) 7th Infantry Brigade 2nd Reinforcements, from 5 October 1915 embarked various units up until 8th October 1915 when departed Sydney with 1st Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 1st Infantry Brigade 11th Reinforcements, 17th Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 5th Infantry Brigade 5th Reinforcements, 19th Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 5th Infantry Brigade 5th reinforcements, 6th Light Horse Regiment (New South Wales) 2nd Light Horse Brigade 10th reinforcements (part), 7th Light Horse Regiment (New South Wales) 2nd Light Horse Brigade 10th reinforcements, 12th Light Horse Regiment (New South Wales) 4th Light Horse Brigade 5th reinforcements & Medical Officers
13 October 1915 departed Fremantle with 11th Infantry Battalion (Western Australia) 3rd Infantry Brigade 10th Reinforcements, 12th Infantry Battalion (Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia) 3rd Infantry Brigade - 10th Reinforcements (part), 16th Infantry Battalion (Western Australia and South Australia) 4th Infantry Brigade 10th Reinforcements (part), 28th Infantry Battalion (Western Australia) 7th Infantry Brigade 5th Reinforcements, 10th Light Horse Regiment (Western Australia) 3rd Light Horse Brigade 10th Reinforcements (in full) & 11th Reinforcements (part)
28 January 1916 departed Melbourne with 5th Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 2nd Infantry Brigade 14th Reinforcements, 6th Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 2nd Infantry Brigade 14th Reinforcements, 7th Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 2nd Infantry Brigade 14th Reinforcements, 8th Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 2nd Infantry Brigade 14th Reinforcements, 4th Field Artillery Brigade (Victoria) 2nd Division Artillery 3rd Reinforcements, 6th Field Artillery (Army) Brigade (Victoria, Tasmania) 3rd Reinforcements, 1st Division Ammunition Column 1st Division Artillery 14th Reinforcements, 13th Light Horse Regiment (Victoria) 10th Reinforcements, 14th Reinforcements for the 4th Light horse Regiment & Medical Officers at Melbourne
28 July 1916 departed Melbourne with the 5th Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 2nd Infantry Brigade 19th Reinforcements, 6th Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 2nd Infantry Brigade 19th Reinforcements, 7th Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 2nd Infantry Brigade 19th Reinforcements, 8th Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 2nd Infantry Brigade 19th Reinforcements, 21st Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 6th Infantry Brigade 14th Reinforcements, 22nd Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 6th Infantry Brigade 14th Reinforcements, 24th Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 6th Infantry Brigade 13th Reinforcements, 2nd Field Artillery Brigade (Victoria) 1st Division Artillery 14th Reinforcements, 4th Light Horse Regiment (Victoria) 4th Light Horse Brigade 14th Reinforcements, and 19th Reinforcements (part), 2nd Cyclist Battalion (Victoria and Western Australia) 3rd Reinforcements (part), & Medical Officers at Melbourne
13th October 1915 departed Fremantle with 27th Infantry Battalion (South Australia) 7th Infantry Brigade 5th Reinforcements
29 December 1916 Medical Officers at Sydney
4 August 1917 departed Melbourne with the 5th Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 2nd Infantry Brigade 25th Reinforcements, 6th Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 2nd Infantry Brigade 25th Reinforcements, 7th Infantry Battalion (Victoria) 2nd Infantry Brigade 25th Reinforcements, 12th Infantry Battalion (Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia) 3rd Infantry Brigade 26th Reinforcements, 50th Infantry Battalion (South Australia) 13th Infantry Brigade 10th Reinforcements, Flying Corps Reinforcements 1st Special Draft (part), 4th Light Horse Regiment (Victoria) 4th Light Horse Brigade 28th Reinforcements (part), 13th Light Horse Regiment (Victoria) 19th & 20th Reinforcements, Veterinary Reinforcements & Medical Officers
28 January 1918 Medical Officers at Sydney



INFORMATION COMPLETE

Post Hostilities
1932 owned by Shaw, Savill & Albion Co Ltd, Southampton
1937 owned by Norfolk & North American Steam Shipping Co Ltd, Southampton
1946 owned by Shaw, Savill & Albion Co Ltd, Southampton
Commencing 24 August 1947 at Dalmuir & later at Troon (West of Scotland Shipbreaking Co) scrapping began

image personal collection

A33    AYRSHIRE
7,763 gross tons. Lb: 140.2 x 17.9 metres. Cargo steamship (refrigerated) built by Hawthorn Leslie, Hebburn for Elderslie SS Co Ltd, Glasgow 1902. Twin screw, triple expansion engine making 13 knots. 1910 owned by the The Scottish Shire Line Ltd, London and registered at Glasgow.



INFORMATION to be ADDED



leased by the Commonwealth until 9 January 1918.

21 December 1914 embarked 7th Light Horse Regiment Headquarters, "A" and "B" Squadrons at Sydney. The 7th Light Horse Regiment sailed to Egypt and disembarked on 1 February 1915.

1 September 1915 embarked Medical Officers at Sydney.

3 July 1916 embarked Medical Officers at Melbourne.

24 January 1917 embarked Medical Officers at Sydney.

15 September 1917 embarked Medical Officers at Sydney.



Post Hostilities

28 November 1926 caught fire 7.50N/73.50E & sank 9.12N/73.28E 2nd December 1926 when bound from Brisbane to the UK with cargo of tallow, frozen meat & general goods

Left image camoflage dazzle livery (b43490) courtesy State Library of Victoria, right image (pc000565) at Hobart - courtesy State Library of Tasmania

A34    PERSIC
12,042 gross tons. Lb: 570 x 63.3 feet. (173.7 x 19.3 metres). Steel hull. Twin Screw. Quadruple Expansion 5,000 IHP; 13.5 knots. Passenger/cargo steamship built by Harland & Wolff, Belfast for the Oceanic SN Co Ltd, Liverpool (White Star Line). 3 Decks, 7 Holds, 21 Derricks, fcsle-55 ft, poop 57-ft, bridge-107 ft. Coal: 3,000 tons at 80 tons per day; Cargo: 12,500 cu. ft. Refrigeration for 100,000 carcasses. Passengers: 320-Cabin Class. Launched on September 7, 1899 and delivered on November 16th. She made her maiden voyage on December 7, 1899 from Liverpool to Sydney via Capetown. She carried troops for the Boer War. Her rudder broke at Capetown and voyage was delayed until a new one could be sent out from Harland & Wolff. In 1900 the voyage resumed and she took home Australian sick and wounded.



INFORMATION to be ADDED

21 December 1914 At Sydney embarked the 5th Light Horse Regiment. 10 August 1915 departed Melbourne with the 7th Reinforcements for the 4th Light horse Regiment. November 18, 1915 at Syndey embarked Battery 15, 5th Field Artillery Brigade. 3 June 1916 embarked troops at Port Melbourne. 22 December 1916 at Melbourne embarked the 23rd Reinforcements for the 4th Light horse Regiment & Medical Officers. 29 December 1916 at Fremantle embarked Medical Officers. 29 August 1917 at Melbourne embarked Medical Officers. Officially released by the Commonwealth 8 November 1917 however on 21 March 1918 embarked Medical Officers at Sydney.



INFORMATION to be ADDED

September 1918 she was torpedoed off Sicily but reached port safely. In 1920 she was released back to her owners and was refitted and modernized. Her passenger accommodation was changed to 260-Cabin Class. In 1926 she was refitted at Govan but suffered unrepairable engine wear. On September 26, 1926 the Persic left Liverpool on her final voyage. Upon return she was laid up. On July 7, 1927 she was sold and left the Mersey for breaking up at Hendrik ido Ambacht, Netherlands

image personal collection

A35    BERRIMA
11,137 gross tons, 7037 net; 13730 dwt. Lb: 500'2" x 62'3" (152.4 x 19 metres). Passenger/cargo steamship. Built by Caird & Co, Greenock and completed 5th December 1913. Passenger capacity 350 permanent 3rd class, 250 temporary 3rd class. She was the fourth of the five prewar ‘B’ class vessels ordered for what had been Lund’s Blue Anchor Line emigrant service, bought by Peninsula and Orient Steam Navigation Co, London (P&O) in 1910. Propulsion: Two four cylinder quadruple expansion steam engines, 9000ihp, twin screws, 14 knots. Britain - Australia emigrant service via the Cape of Good Hope (Branch Line). Cost £209,456. December 1913: Maiden voyage London - Cape Town - Adelaide - Melbourne - Sydney

sisterships:    BALLARAT, BELTANA, BENALLA, BORDA

12 - 18 August 1914 converted at Cockatoo Island Drydock, Sydney as an expeditionary vessel capable of transporting 1500 Troops and Officers. At a cost of 4,513 pounds sterling, she was given essential hull stiffening, re-fitted with four 4.7 pound guns, two on the forecastle and two on the poop deck and small arms ammunition arranged both fore and aft on the lower deck where the magazines for the 4.7 guns was also stored. Signalling arrangements on the bridge were upgraded, whilst existing accomodation on the upper deck was converted into a hospital. Further accomodation was altered into baggage rooms, guardrooms and cells. The cargo holds were fitted out for troop accomodation complete with latrines and washrooms placed below the poop deck


18 August 1914 commissioned by the Commonwealth RAN as auxiliary cruiser HMAS Berrima

Departed Sydney on 19 August 1914 carrying men of the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force for operations against the German New Guinea colonies. Troops were landed at Herbertshöhe and Rabaul on 11 and 12 September respectively, and on the New Guinea mainland on 24 September. Berrima subsequently returned to Sydney and, despite plans to employ her as an armed merchant cruiser, she was paid off in October for conversion to a troop transport.

30th October - 7th November 1914 underwent further conversion at Cockatoo Island Drydock, Sydney. The hospital was extending given an extra 33 berths, a steriliser room and extra latrines. Further troop accomodation (timber) was fitted on the bridge and upper deck, with extra latrines and wash facilities added to the upper deck both fore and aft. Troop accommodation on the main deck rearranged and the galley extended

Berrima leased by the Commonwealth until 10 October 1917 as A35 Berrima

31 December 1914 departed Albany Western Australia for the Middle East as part of the second troop convoy, carrying Australian and New Zealand troops and towing the submarine AE2



INFORMATION to be ADDED



17 December 1915 embarked Medical Officers at Sydney.

4 July 1916 embarked Medical Officers at Melbourne.

16 December embarked 1916 Medical Officers at Adelaide.

23 December embarked 1916 Medical Officers at Fremantle.

INFORMATION to be ADDED



18 February 1917, Struck by a torpedo or mine when 50 miles W of Portland Bill, with the loss of four lives. The majority of the crew were evacuated in the lifeboats and were picked up by the destroyer HMS FORESTER. A line was subsequently connected to the tug PILOT, and BERRIMA was towed into Portland Harbour the next day. In the absence of a dry dock she was repaired while still afloat with a 42 ton wooden patch built in three sections on the quayside, after which she was requisitioned by the Shipping Controller for the Atlantic stores and munitions ferry.

Completed duties, resumed normal service

24 March 1920 One sailing on the British India SNCo berth from London to Suez, Colombo and Brisbane, after which she returned to the Branch Line.

26 April 1929: Last sailing to Australia before the Cape route was abandoned.

16 July 1930: Sold for £29,000 to Asakichi Kitagawa, Japan for demolition at Osaka and broken up same year

image personal collection

A36    BOONAH
5,926 gross tons. Lb: 137.2 x 17.7 metres. Steel single screw steamship (cargo-refrigerated) built by Flensburger Schiffsbau Ges., Flensburg for Deutsche-Australische Linie, Hamburg as the Melbourne . Triple expansion engine making 12.5 knots. 1914 seized by the Australian Government at Sydney, renamed Boonah.



INFORMATION to be ADDED

21 October 1916 at Hamilton Wharf Brisbane, embarked 21st Reinforcements, 15th Battalion, 4th Pioneers Regiment & Medical Officers. 22 October 1918 embarked Medical Officers at Adelaide. 29 October 1918 embarked Medical Officers at Fremantle. 29 October 1918 departed Fremantle with AIF 3rd Reinforcements only to be recalled October 1918 with the signing of Armistance. Returned to Fremantle 20 December 1918. 14 January 1919?? Medical Officers - From Adelaide. Post hostilities manned by Australia officers and crew and transferred to Commonwealth Government Line.



INFORMATION to be ADDED

Sold 1925 renamed Witram for N.D.L. (North German Lloyd, Bremen). 1936 owned by Hamburg-South America Line. 1937 renamed Buenos Aires. 1940 torpedoed and sunk (57.00N/11.35E 1.5.40) by HMS Narwhal

image (a636530r) courtesy State Library of New South Wales

A37    BARAMBAH
5923 gross tons. 449'5" x 58'2". (137.0 x 17.7 metres) Steel single screw steamship by Flensburger Schiffsbau Ges., Flensburg for Deutsche-Australische Linie, Hamburg as the Hobart. Triple expansion engine making 12.5 knots. 1914 seized by Australia at Melbourne renamed Barambah.



INFORMATION to be ADDED

Became WW1 transport A37. 9 July 1915 embarked Medical Officers - From Melbourne (one records says as ss Hobart). 30 November 1915 definitely as A37 Barambah - embarked Medical Officers - From Brisbane. Embarked AIF (unknown as yet) at Port Melbourne on 5 June 1916

Post Hostilities
Manned by Australia officers and crew when transferred to Commonwealth Government Line, 23 May 1918. Final voyage from Australia to Falmouth, England, arriving 2nd June 1925 on delivery voyage having being sold 1925 to N.D.L. (North German Lloyd, Bremen) and renamed Justin. May 1935 scrapped at Bremerhaven

image (a636417r) courtesy State Library of New South Wales

A38    ULYSSES
14,499 gross tons. Lb: 171.7 20.8 metres. Passenger/cargo steamship (refrigerated) as built by Workman Clark, Belfast for the China Mutual SN Co, London, a Subsidiary owned by Alfred Holt (Blue Funnel Line) 1913. Twin Screw, triple expansion engine making 13.5 knots. Leased by the Commonwealth until 15 August 1917.



INFORMATION to be ADDED

Arrived Port Said, December 1914. 27 October 1915 departed Port Melbourne with Medical Officers. 1st March 1916 departed Port Melbourne with Medical Officers. . 25 October 1916 departed Port Melbourne with Medical Officers. 9th May 1917 departed Sydney with Medical Officers. 19 December 1917 departed Sydney with 1st Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 26th Reinforcements, 2nd Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) [1st Infantry Brigade] 26th Reinforcements, 34th Reinforcements for the 1st Light horse Regiment, 34th Reinforcements for the 4th Light horse Regiment & Medical Officers. 22 December 1917 departed Melbourne with 31st Reinforcements for the 4th Light horse Regiment. 13 April 1918 departed Sydney with Medical Officers.
Post Hostilities
11th April 1942 sunk by torpedo launched from submarine U-160 at 34.23N/75.35W en-route Sydney-Liverpool with cargo of pig iron & general goods

image personal collection

A39    PORT MACQUARIE
7,236 gross tons. Lb: 129.8 x 16.5 metres. Cargo steamship built by Hawthorn Leslie at Hebburn & completed September 1912 for the Anglo-Australasian SN Co Ltd (Milburn Line). Single screw,quadruple expansion engine making 13 knots. 1914 owned by the Commonwealth & Dominion Line Ltd, London (Port Line), and leased by the Commonwealth until 13 January 1917.

A40    CERAMIC
18,481 gross tons. Lb: metres. Owned by the Oceanic SN Co Ltd, Liverpool (White Star Line), and leased by the Commonwealth until 9 July 1917.



INFORMATION to be ADDED

25 June 1915 embarked 1st Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 5th Reinforcements, 6th Reinforcements for the 4th Light horse Regiment & Medical Officers at Sydney. 23 November 1915 12th Reinforcements for the 4th Light horse Regiment departed Melbourne. 14 April 1916 departed Sydney with 1st Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 17th Reinforcements, 2nd Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 1st Infantry Brigade 17th Reinforcements & 3rd Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 1st Infantry Brigade 17th Reinforcements. 7th October 1916 at Sydney embarked 1st Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 21st Reinforcements, 2nd Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 1st Infantry Brigade 21st Reinforcements, 3rd Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 1st Infantry Brigade 21st Reinforcements & Medical Officers.

image personal collection

A41    BAKARA
6,079 gross tons, 5,930 net. Lb: 137.2 x 17.7 metres. Steel single screw refrigerated cargo vessel (steamship) as built by Flensburger Schiffbau Ges., Flensburg, Germany as the 'Cannstatt' for Deutsch-Australische DG, Hamburg. Seized as a war prize by Australian Government 1915, renamed Bakara. 22 May 1915 embarked 1st Light Horse Regiment, 5th Reinforcement at Newcastle, New South Wales. 4th November 1916 embarked Medical Officers at Adelaide. 4th September 1918 embarked Medical Officers at Sydney. Manned by Australia officers and crew and transferred to Commonwealth Government Line, 1st May 1918. Sold 1925 to NDL. (North-German Lloyd) and renamed Witell. 1936 to Hamburg South America Line, 1937 renamed Rosario. 1945 surrendered to Britain, allocated to Denmark and later renamed in 1948 Albertina for Northern Chartering. 1950 renamed Kotka for H.Nielsen. Scuttled mid-Atlantic 23rd July 1956

image courtesy Australian War Memorial (maybe)

A42    BOORARA
6570 gross tons. Lbd 471.2 x 59.2 x 36.9 ft. (143.6 x 18 metres) Steel single screw cargo only steamship built by Bremer Vulkan at Vegesack as the Pfalz for Norddeutscher Lloyd, Bremen. Triple expansion engine making 12.5 knots. 1914 captured by Britain renamed Boorara. 20 December 1914 embarked 1st Light Horse Regiment, 1st Reinforcement at Sydney. 31 December 1914 - Transport unit of the Second Convoy assembled at King George's Sound, Western Australia with the Second Detachment of the Australian and New Zealand Imperial Expeditionary Forces. 1915 handed over to the Australian Government's Commonwealth Line retaining transport designation A36. 19 August 1916 embarked Medical Officers - From Sydney. 10 May 1917 embarked 1st Light Horse Regiments 24th & 25th Reinforcements, 27th Reinforcements for the 4th Light horse Regiment, Camel Corps General Reinforcements & Medical Officers from Port Melbourne for Egypt. 24 June 1919 transferred to Commonwealth Government Line. Sold 1926 renamed 'Nereus' for E Hadjilias, Athens. Wrecked off Cape Beale, Vancouver Is 8th August 1937

image personal collection

A43    BARUNGA
484 gross tons. Lb 146.9 x 19.1 metres. Steel single screw steamship (cargo-refrigerated) built by Flensburger Schiffsbau Ges., Flensburg for Deutsche-Australische Linie, Hamburg as the Sumatra . Held quadruple expansion engine making 12.5 knots. 1914 seized by Australia at Sydney (War prize) & renamed Barunga. Became WW1 transport A43. 22 December 1914 1st Reinforcements 4th Light horse Regiment departed Melbourne. 7 April 1916 Medical Officers - From Melbourne. 20 October 1916 Medical Officers - From Sydney. Torpedoed and sunk by a submarine in the North Atlantic, 15 July 1918

image personal collection

A44    VESTALIA
5,528 gross tons. Lb: metres. Owned by the Gow, Harrison & Co, Glasgow, and leased by the Commonwealth until 10 March 1917. 19 December 1914 Embarkation of the 5th Light Horse Regiment occurred at Sydney, along with an advance party that contained the full complement of "A" Troop from "B" Squadron. In addition, all officer's batmen were included in the party. The advance party had 26 men from the 1st Reinforcements attached for embarkation. The 5th Light Horse Regiment sailed to Egypt and disembarked on 1 February 1915.18 January 1916 embarked Medical Officers at Melbourne. 11 July 1916 embarked Medical Officers - at Sydney. 15th (another record state 6th) December 1916 embarked Medical Officers at Melbourne.

image at Port Melbourne on 6 December 1916

A45    BULLA
5,099 gross tons. Lb: 124.8 x 16.1 metres. Steel single screw steamship built as the Hessen by Tecklenborg at Geestemunde for Norddeutscher Lloyd, Bremen. Quadruple expansion engine making 12 knots.

1914 seized by Australia renamed Bulla. Became WW1 transport A45. 2nd February 1915 embarked Medical Officers - From Melbourne. 23 June 1916 Medical Officers - From Adelaide. 16 January 1917 Medical Officers - From Adelaide.

15 April 1918 manned by Australian officers and crew and transferred to Commonwealth Government Line.

image personal collection

A46    CLAN MACGILLVRAY
5,023 gross tons. Lb: metres. Built 1911. Owned by the Cayser, Irvin and Co, Glasgow (Clan Line) Leased by the Commonwealth until 16 August 1917.

29th December 1914 - 23rd January 1915 converted at Cockatoo Island Drydock, Sydney for troop transportation

1st May 1916 embarked Medical Officers - From Brisbane.

7th September 1916 Medical Officers - From Brisbane.

10 May 1917 at Sydney embarked 3rd Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 1st Infantry Brigade 24th Reinforcements & Medical Officers.





POST HOSTILITIES

1948 sold to Hong Kong, renamed Maclock

image personal collection

A47    MASHROBRA
8,174 gross tons. Lb: metres. Owned by the British India SN Co Ltd, London. Pas: 66 1st, 40 2nd Leased by the Commonwealth until 21 December 1916. 8 February 1915 embarked The 10th Light Horse Regiment Headquarters, Machine Gun Section, "A" and "B" Squadrons at Fremantle. 4 October 1915 embarked 1st Light Horse Regiment, 11th Reinforcement at Sydney. 5 April 1916 embarked Medical Officers at Sydney. Torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean by Austrian submarine SW of Cape Matapan 15 April 1917.

image some brilliant online source

A48    SEANG BEE
5,849 gross tons. Lb: metres. Owned by the Lim Chin Tsong, Rangoon, and leased by the Commonwealth until 12 May 1917. departed Sydney 11 February 1915. 11 February 1915 at Sydney embarked 1st Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 2nd Reinforcements, 2nd Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 1st Infantry Brigade 2nd Reinforcements, 3rd Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 1st Infantry Brigade 2nd reinforcements & Medical Officers. 13 July 1916 Medical Officers at Adelaide. 10 February 1917 Medical Officers at Adelaide.

A49    SEANG CHOON
5,807 gross tons. Lb: metres. Owned by the Lim Chin Tsong, Rangoon. 11 February 1915 departed Sydney with 1st Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 3rd Reinforcements & 2nd Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 1st Infantry Brigade 3rd Reinforcements and 3rd Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 1st Infantry Brigade 3rd reinforcements. 4 May 1916 embarked Medical Officers at Brisbane. 19 September 1916 Medical Officers at Brisbane. Torpedoed and sunk off coast of Ireland, 10 July 1917

A50    ITONUS
6,538 gross tons. Lb: 136.86 x 16.52 x 7.53 metres. on1109977 Cable ship, steam powered as built by Vickers Maxim, Barrow as the 'Anglia' completed 1898 for Telegraph Construction & Maintenance Co Ltd, London. Twin screw, triple expansion engine 649 n.h.p. making 11.5 knots max, cruising speed of 10.5 knots. 1907 purchased by Archibald Currie & Co (Currie Line, Melbourne) from Grangemouth & Greenock Dockyard Co. after stranding repairs, converted into a cargo ship and renamed Itonus. 1913 owned by British India S N Co Ltd, London when that Company took over all of A Currie & Co's assets and holdings.

Requisitioned by the Commonwealth Government and became Troop Transport A50 HMAT Itonus.

15 February 1915 departed Adelaide with 3rd Field Artillery (Army) Brigade (Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania) 3rd Reinforcements, 1st Division Ammunition Column 1st Division Artillery 3rd Reinforcements, 12th Infantry Battalion (Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia) 3rd Infantry Brigade 2nd and 3rd Reinforcements, 10th Light Horse Regiment (Western Australia) 3rd Light Horse Brigade 2nd and 3rd Reinforcements

22 February 1915 departed Fremantle with 3rd Field Artillery (Army) Brigade (Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania) 3rd Reinforcements, 1st Division Ammunition Column 1st Division Artillery 3rd Reinforcements, 11th Infantry Battalion (Western Australia) 3rd Infantry Brigade 2nd and 3rd Reinforcements, 12th Infantry Battalion (Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia) 3rd Infantry Brigade 2nd and 3rd Reinforcements, 16th Infantry Battalion (Western Australia and South Australia) 4th Infantry Brigade 3rd Reinforcements

10 April 1915 5pm and towing a steam launch two barges, departed Alexandria Harbour with 1100 mostly New Zealand Troops (and 12 mules) bound for Gallipoli. Was part of covoy but lagged behind due to drag of the towed craft. 14 April 1915 arrived at Lemnos. 15 April A49 Seang choon carrying Australian Troops moors alonside A50 Itonus. 25 April 1915 6am weighs anchor and puts to sea, 4 pm ITONUS arrived off KABA TEPE and at 6 pm. began disembarkation of Troops

30 December 1915 departed Brisbane with 9th Infantry Battalion (Queensland) 3rd Infantry Brigade 12th Reinforcements, 25th Infantry Battalion (Queensland) 7th Infantry Brigade 7th Reinforcements, 26th Infantry Battalion (Queensland and Tasmania) 7th Infantry Brigade 7th Reinforcements & Medical Officers

Under Captain T. Costello, was used as a hospital ship during the Gallipoli (Dardanelles) campaign. Resumed trooping service 1916

8th August 1916 departed Brisbane with 9th Infantry Battalion (Queensland) 3rd Infantry Brigade 19th Reinforcements, 15th Infantry Battalion (Queensland and Tasmania) 4th Infantry Brigade 19th Reinforcements, 25th Infantry Battalion (Queensland) 7th Infantry Brigade 14th Reinforcements, 26th Infantry Battalion (Queensland and Tasmania) 7th Infantry Brigade 14th Reinforcements & Medical Officers

BATTLE HONOURS

3rd Field Artillery (Army) Brigade (Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania) 3rd Reinforcements - Egypt, Sinai, Gallipoli, Western Front

1st Division Ammunition Column 1st Division Artillery 3rd Reinforcements - Egypt, Gallipoli, Sinai, Western Front

9th Infantry Battalion (Queensland) 3rd Infantry Brigade 12th & 19th Reinforcements - Egypt 1916, Somme 1916-18, Pozieres, Bullecourt, Ypres 1917, Menin Road, Broodeseinde, Polygon Wood, Poelcappelle, Passchendaele, Lys, Hazebrouck, Amiens, Albert 1918, Hindenburg Line, Epehy, France and Flanders 1916-18 (Egypt, Western Front)

11th Infantry Battalion (Western Australia) 3rd Infantry Brigade 2nd and 3rd Reinforcements - Landing at Anzac, Anzac, Defence of Anzac, Suvla, Sari Bair, Gallipoli 1915, Egypt 1915-16, Somme 1916-18, Pozieres, Bullecourt, Ypres 1917, Menin Road, Broodeseinde, Polygon Wood, Poelcappelle, Passchendaele, Lys, Hazebrouck, Amiens, Albert 1918, Hindenburg Line, Epehy, France and Flanders 1916-18 (Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front)

12th Infantry Battalion (Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia) 3rd Infantry Brigade 2nd and 3rd Reinforcements - Landing at Anzac, Anzac, Defence of Anzac, Suvla, Sari Bair, Gallipoli 1915, Egypt 1915-16, Somme 1916-18, Pozieres, Bullecourt, Ypres 1917, Menin Road, Broodeseinde, Polygon Wood, Poelcappelle, Passchendaele, Lys, Hazebrouck, Amiens, Albert 1918, Hindenburg Line, Epehy, France and Flanders 1916-18 (Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front)

15th Infantry Battalion (Queensland and Tasmania) 4th Infantry Brigade 19th Reinforcements - Egypt 1916, Somme 1916-18, Pozieres, Bullecourt, Messines 1917, Ypres 1917, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Passchendaele, Arras 1918, Ancre 1918, Hamel, Amiens, Albert 1918, Hindenburg Line, Epehy, France and Flanders 1916-18 (Egypt, Western Front)

16th Infantry Battalion (Western Australia and South Australia) 4th Infantry Brigade 3rd Reinforcements - Landing at Anzac, Anzac, Defence of Anzac, Suvla, Sari Bair, Gallipoli 1915, Egypt 1915-16, Somme 1916-18, Pozieres, Bullecourt, Messines 1917, Ypres 1917, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Passchendaele, Arras 1918, Ancre 1918, Hamel, Amiens, Albert 1918, Hindenburg Line, Epehy, France and Flanders 1916-18 (Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front)

25th Infantry Battalion (Queensland) 7th Infantry Brigade 7th and 14th Reinforcements - Egypt 1916, Somme 1916-18, Pozieres, Bapaume 1917, Bullecourt, Ypres 1917, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Broodeseinde, Poelcappelle, Passchendaele, Ancre 1918, Amiens, Albert 1918, Mont St Quentin, Hindenburg Line, Beaurevoir, France and Flanders 1916-18 (Egypt, Western Front)

26th Infantry Battalion (Queensland and Tasmania) 7th Infantry Brigade 7th and 14th Reinforcements - Egypt 1916, Somme 1916-18, Pozieres, Bapaume 1917, Bullecourt, Ypres 1917, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Broodeseinde, Poelcappelle, Passchendaele, Ancre 1918, Amiens, Albert 1918, Mont St Quentin, Hindenburg Line, Beaurevoir, France and Flanders 1916-18 (Egypt, Western Front)

10th Light Horse Regiment (Western Australia) 3rd Light Horse Brigade 2nd and 3rd Reinforcements - Anzac, Defence of Anzac, Suvla, Sari Bair, Gallipoli 1915, Romani, Maghdaba-Rafah, Egypt 1915-17, Gaza-Beersheba, El Mughar, Nebi Samwil, Jerusalem, Jordan (Es Salt), Megiddo, Sharon, Damascus, Palestine 1917-18 (Egypt, Gallipoli, Sinai, Palestine)



Torpedoed and sunk near Malta in the Mediterranean by U-38, 20 December 1916 On December 20th of that year, when 60 miles N.W. by W. i W. of Malta bound from Marseilles to Sydney, New South Wales, she was torpedoed and sunk by an Austrian submarine U-38. One engineer and four native engine room hands were drowned, the remainder of the crew escaping in the boats. Captain Costello was taken prisoner.

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A51    CHILKA
3,952 gross tons. Lb: 119 x 15.3 metres. Passenger/cargo built 1910 by Barclay, Curle & Co Ltd, Glasgow. Tonnage: 3,952 gross, 2,158 net, 4,180 dwt. Engines: Twin Screw, 2 x Triple Expansion by Builder, 3,300 I.H.P., 14 Knots. Launched 23rd August 1910, Completed 4th October 1910, Yard No 483 Owned by the British India SN Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 4 August 1915 Passenger accomodation: 20 1st class, 15 2nd class, 4671 deck. !st July 1917 caught fire off Baruva, near Gopalpur, beached and abandoned when bound from Madras to Rangoon, with passengers and cargo

A53    ITREA
5,318 gross tons. Lb: metres. It was owned by the British India SN Co Ltd, London. 5267 Proposed name INDWARA, Pas: 9 1st, 16 2nd, 2050 steerage. Leased by the Commonwealth until 17 June 1917. 9th February 1915 Medical Officers - From Brisbane. 18 April 1916 16th Reinforcements for the 4th Light horse Regiment & Medical Officers - From Melbourne. 1918 sunk in collision in Mediterranean with ss CLAN CHISHOLM

A54    RUNIC
12,490 gross tons. Lb: metres. It was owned by the Oceanic SN Co Ltd, Liverpool (White Star Line), and leased by the Commonwealth until 27 November 1917. 19 February 1915 embarked Medical Officers & Field Artillery Brigade 1, Reinforcement 2 at Sydney. 9 August 1915 at Sydney embarked 1st Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 8th Reinforcements, 2nd Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 1st Infantry Brigade 8th Reinforcements, 3rd Infantry Battalion (New South Wales) 1st Infantry Brigade 8th Reinforcements & 1st Light Horse Regiment - 8th Reinforcements. 20 January 1916 13th Reinforcements for the 4th Light horse Regiment & Medical Officers at Sydney. 20 June 1916 18th Reinforcements for the 4th Light horse Regiment departed Melbourne. 22 March 1918 embarked Medical Officers at Sydney.

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