Collections
Search our collections for images, objects and ship records. Get started with the search box or browse what you can see. You can also find out about our collections and how to access them.
SOCOTRA (1943)
Service dates: 1943-1965
Official number: 168430
Shipping lines: P&O STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY
Ship type:
General Cargo Liner.
Career
- 02.1942
- Keel laid. Built to an austere wartime specification and not designed for any particular trade.
- 18.03.1943
- Launched.
- 15.05.1943
- Trials.
- 18.05.1943
- Delivered as Socotra to the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company. She was immediately taken up under the Liner Requisition Scheme and manned by Hain Steamship Company.
- 02.08.1946
- Returned to P&O and put on UK/India service.
- 13.08.1946
- Sailed on first P&O voyage.
- 03.1950
- First P&O ship to make a post-war visit to North China when she loaded cargo at Taku Bar.
- 26.04.1951
- Experienced a complete steering failure when in the Red Sea bound for the United Kingdom. Towed from Massowah to Suez by the salvage steamer Protector.
- 08.05.1951
- Ran aground in the Suez Canal, colliding with Hercule, one of two tugs handling her at the time.
- 13.05.1951
- Left Port Said for London in company with salvage vessel Em Z Svitzer which towed her part of the way.
- 27.05.1951
- Arrived at London.
- 06.1952
- Converted at Rotterdam to burn heavy oil, the first of the company’s motorships to be converted.
- 12.12.1953
- Collided with the tanker Pamir in the Wangpoo river.
- 28.03.1964
- Helped save 470 survivors of the burning troopship Empire Windrush 70km (115 miles) north-west of Algiers.
- 18.06.1965
- Sold to Chiap Hua Mfy Co (1947) Ltd, Hong Kong for scrap.
- 01.07.1965
- Demolition commenced.