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MADURA (1921)

Service dates: 1921-1953

Official number: 146268

Shipping lines: BRITISH INDIA STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY LTD.

Ship type:


Passenger/Cargo Ship.


Career

28.09.1921
Launched.
26.11.1921
Delivered as Madura for British India Steam Navigation Company at a cost of £541,600. She was the first of a class of six which ended the long line of M-class vessels.
1927
Re-measured. Now first class 127 or 91 passengers.
1933
Re-measured. Now 170 one-class passenger capacity.
08.08.1936
Rammed and sank the coaster Cragside in Galleons Reach only minutes after leaving King George V Dock for Antwerp. All of the coaster’s crew were saved.
1937
Refrigerated cargo capacity now 175 cubic metres (6,185 cubic feet).
17.06.1940
Now on the UK/East Africa service. En route from East Africa to the UK she was diverted to Bordeaux to collect 1,300 assorted refugees, landing them at Falmouth two days later under persistent air attack.
26.12.1941
Ordered to assist in the evacuation of Singapore.
15.01.1942
Arrived at Singapore.
30.01.1942
Suffered slight bomb and fire damage amidships. She was loaded with refugees.
02.02.1942
She was attacked again unsuccessfully.
03.02.1942
Attacked by Japanese aircraft in the Javanese Dempu Strait. Two officers and three crew killed by a bomb which hit the after part of the bridge deck. 13 were wounded when they were landed at Palembang.
02.1946
Returned to service after refit at her builders. Now 176 one-class passengers. Ran India/Australia service until 1949.
28.07.1953
Sold to British Iron & Steel Corporation Ltd for £98,000 to be broken up at Inverkeithing by Thomas W Ward Ltd.


Ship technical details (PDF)