TROOPSHIPS 1939 - 1961

[tfitzp]

Very many thanks for the good work - re HMT Lancashire the arrival port changed due to delay in schedule - for interest heres a pic I took of Empire Fowey leaving Singapore in 1952/3 - cheera again

[seaweed]

Thanks for posting an original photograph. In the grand scale of things, relatively unimportant but this kind of information needs to be preserved for generations to come

regards
SW

[ScouseBoy]

I have a query  on the use of the "HMT"  abbreviation.

As far as I have studied the subject,   HMT  referred to His Majesty's Trawler,   particularly used  for converted trawlers for mine hunting and Submarine hunting, and maybe convoy escort work.

Is HMT   an official  Royal Navy title?  (For  "Transport"   or Troopship )

I do not think it is. But that is my personal opinion.

[seaweed]

I would concur with you. However I have e mailed H Mac, who is more the expert on RN terms and designations, asking him to join the thread.

regards
SW

[ScouseBoy]

Thank you.

One other point on the topic of UK troopships,  I think most, if not all,  were chartered or leased by the UK  government, and were substantially crewed by Merchant Navy officers and men.

I believe that my father was a survivor of the Lancastria sinking, I looked at a register of ships lost or damaged during WW2  in the Merseyside Maritime museum.      One column in the register  showed Lancastria as being  O.H.M.S.  at the time.

 

[HMac]

Yes, I would agree with you both. The Admiralty didn't to my knowledge give out the HMT prefix officially. Also with HMS, a ship flying the White Ensign could only be called HMS if she was actually commissioned.
I have seen questions  regarding the prefix HMT with regard to troopships, again, to my knowledge they were never officially H.M. Troopships just an unofficial title.
Regarding OHMS, a ship can be 'On His Majesty's Service' but this does not affect what she was called. There were plenty of ships OHMS during WW2 from cargo ships to troopships.

Regards
Hugh

[ScouseBoy]

That sounds right to me.

In the Falklands,  Canberra, QE2,   and other Passenger ships were known as STUFT     Ships taken up from Trade. IIRC,  the section of MoD administering those contracts  were based in Empress State building in Fulham, near Earls Court ( thirty years ago)

[Redd]

Hello Seaweed,

Would it be possible for you to check SS Empire Orwell please? It left Singapore in September 1950 and arrived at Southampton 23/24 October 1950.

Thank you.

Jules.

[seaweed]

Hello Seaweed,

Would it be possible for you to check SS Empire Orwell please? It left Singapore in September 1950 and arrived at Southampton 23/24 October 1950.

Thank you.

Jules.

EMPIRE ORWELL Ex EMPIRE DOON Ex PRETORIA (German registered)
Built 1936
GRT 18036 tons
550ft X 72.4  X 40.4
16 knots
Oil fuel
Twin Screw

Troop Accommodation
263 1st and 2nd class cabins
1104 3rd class cabins
1407 Standees (Steel bunks.)

Sailed Singapore 30/Sept/1950
Arrived Colombo 4/10/1950 Sailed same day
Arrived Aden 10//10/1950 Sailed 11/10/1950
Arrived Port Said 15/10/1950 Sailed same day
Arrived Southampton 23/10/1050
Underwent Dry docking from 24/10/1950
Sailed Southampton 23/11/1950