Jump to content
The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Ships names


Krithia

Recommended Posts

Is there a list of troopship names that served at Gallipoli? I have some photographs that show ships with large letter/numbers painted on the side, in particular B12, N10 and N6.

I have seen the list on the Gallipoli Association website and also the list under http://www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/%7Ermallett/Transports.html that shows HMAT 'A' reference numbers.

Does another list survive? Can any Pal help?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Steve,

N10 is the ‘Royal George’ and appears on IWM photograph Q61123, see page 88 of ‘RND’ Issue No.2 Sept 1997

Sorry can’t help with B12 & N6

Rob Walker’s book ‘To What End Did They Die’ offers a list which he says "cannot be described as complete.” He names there some 120+ ships; and that’s excluding the French, the sea-plane carriers etc., but unfortunately he does not give their id letter/nos.

Regards

Michael D.R.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rupert Brookes' biography in his "Collected Poems" says that he and Hood Battallion RND sailed in "Grantully Castle". He died on the French hospital ship "Duguay-Trouin"

Adrian

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is this N10, the RMS Royal George as a troopship?

Kath,

Yes N10 was the ‘Royal George’

The IWM picture below [ref Q 6112] shows the SS Royal George at Mudros on 24 March 1915. The ship’s number is seen on the side of the forward superstructure

If I have understood Steve correctly, then his object here is to tie up the number of each ship with its name. As pointed out by Steve, lists of names exist in various places, however the lists seen up to now do not give the numbers. Alas, when dealing with old photographs, the numbers are sometimes the only form of recognition possible.

Adrian is correct that the ‘Grantully Castle’ carried the Hood Battalion. Also on board were the 2nd Brigade [RND] HQ and the Anson Battalion

Other ships carrying the RND from Avonmouth on 27th & 28th Feb 1915 were

‘Franconia’ – Div HQ., 1st Brigade HQ, Ordnance Detail, Drake Batt., Nelson Batt.

‘Royal George’ – Howe Batt., 1st Field Ambulance

‘Gloucester Castle’ – Portsmouth Batt.

‘Ayrshire’- Div Signals Co., Grooms

‘Alnwich Castle’ – Deal Batt., 2nd & 3rd Field Ambulances, RMA.

‘Somali’- Cyclist Company, Engineer Unit

‘Cestrian’ – Divisional Train

Above details from ADM137/3088A [papers marked Schedule B] as published by Len Sellers in ‘RND’ where Len also gives details from WO95/4290 which lists Allotment of Troops to Transports which shows sailing on 6th Feb 1915

‘Braemar Castle’ - HQ 3rd Brigade, No.4 Sec Signal Co., Plymouth Batt

‘Cawdor Castle’ – Chatham Batt.

If anyone can add the Numbers for these ships [as in N10 = Royal George] then it would help and a full list for all the Gallipoli transports would be ideal

Regards

Michael D.R.

post-24-1105168713.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is probably a red herring (or 2) and nothing to do with WW!.

I've two postcards of the Soudan which was a hospital ship at Gallipoli.

The one titled "HMTS Soudan" has No.5 on the side of the ship BUT it was written 16th-20th. Dec.1906

The other, just "SS SOUDAN", has No.7 & refers to arrival home from South Africa.

The 7 looks as if it has been painted over another no.

Kath.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some more names:

3 Wing RNAS sailed to Gallopolli on the Harrison Liner 'Imkosi'; their aircraft and equipment on the 'Moorgate'.

[source: 'Sailor in the Sky', autobiog of Vice-Admiral Richard Bell-Davies VC]

Adrian

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The 6th Lincs, sailed from England onboard the Empress of Britain to Mudros, and from there on the transports Osmanieh and Elkatura to Cape Helles.

Jim

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Here's HMT Plassy - No. 3

post-1055-1168448719.jpg

And it is No NOT just N, as in N10.

Wonder if this is peacetime practice.

Kath.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

A footnote on page 118 of the British O.H. gives some useful information regarding the allocation of the numbers used, but unfortunately it does not tie in names with those numbers.

“The Anzac transports were numbered A1 to A35,

the 29th Division’s B1 to B15,

the French F1 to F23

and the [Royal] Naval Division’s N1 to N12.

Similarly the supply ships were numbered S1 to S10

and the ship to convey Sir Ian Hamilton and his headquarters was numbered H1.”

Regards

Michael D.R.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Australian Embarkation Rolls, available on the AWM site (large pdf files) detail the ships upon which soldiers embarked.

A sample check shows that 11th Infantry Battalion 8th reinforcements embarked at Fremantle 2nd September 1915 on HMAT A68 "Anchises"; the 9th reinforcements on HMAT A20 "Hororata" on 5th October 1915 (again from Fremantle) etc. etc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

More ships from 17th & 18th AIF embarkation rolls:

A32 is Themosticles

A23 is Suffolk

A54 is Runic

A8 is Argyllshire

A14 is Euripides

A29 is Suevic

A60 is Aeneas (a Trojan link here??)

A15 is Star of England

A71 is Nestor

A40 is Ceramic

A55 is Kyarra

A18 is Wiltshire

A72 is Beltana

A38 is Ulysses

Perhaps we can get a list together?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

SS Novian carried the original 5th Bn AIF from Egypt to Gallipoli (via Lemnos) in April 1915

SS Galeka carried the 6th & some 7th Bn troops

Maihalia also carried some 7th Bn troops

A46 Clan McGillivray carried some 7th Bn & the 8th Bn AIF

Menominee carried the 8th LH to Gallipoli in May 1915 - arriving off Anzac Cove they were then transferred to the Foxhound

The B11 Southland was carrying amongst others, the 21st Bn & B Coy of the 23rd Bn AIF to Gallipoli - when it was torpedoed 2/9/15.

The Haverford was carrying the rest of the 23rd Bn.

The hospital ship Neuralia was in the vicinity & helped in the rescue.

The Osmanieh was being used as a hospital ship in April 1915

The Devanha in August 1915

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From the 15th Bttn Embarkation Roll (some, of course, post Gallipoli)

A40 is Ceramic

A35 is Berrima

A48 is Seang Bee

A46 is Clan Macgillivray

A49 is Seang Choon

A17 is Port Linciln

A55 is Kyarra

A20 is Hororata

A63 is Karoola

A31 is Ajana

A9 is Shropshire

A67 is Orsova

A33 is Ayrshire

A69 is Warilda

HMAT RMS Orontes appears not to have an ID code

A64 is Demosthenes

A62 is Wandilla

A73 is Commonwealth

A16 is Star of Victoria

HMAT SS Hawkes Bay has no code

A50 is Itonus

A36 is Boonah

Martin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Martin

If you check out Ross Mallet's webpage in Krithia's original post you'll find out why the RMS Orontes & the SS Hawkes Bay have no codes.

Cheers, Frev

Link to comment
Share on other sites

DISPOSITION OF UNITS OF THE 1ST DIVISION (AUSTRALIAN) IN THE CONVOY AND PLACES OF EMBARKATION.

No. Name. Tonnage Speed Embarked at- Troops Officers Men Horses

A1 Hymettus 4,606 11.5 Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide ASC and horses 5 106 686

A2 Geelong ... 7,951 12 Melbourne and Hobart Mixed 47 1,295

-

A3 Orvieto ... ...12,130 15 Melbourne GOC, Infantry & details 94 1,345 21

A4 Pera ... ... 7,635 11 Sydney Artillery horses 5 90 391

A5 Omrah ... ... 8,130 15 Brisbane Infantry and ASC 43 1,104 15

A6 Clan MacCorquodale 5,058 12.5 Sydney Horses 6 113 524

A7 Medic ... 12,032 13 Adelaide and Fremantle Two companies Infantry, 28 977 270

Artillery, ASC, & AMC

A8 Argyllshire ... 10,392 14 Sydney Artillery 32 800 373

A9 Shropshire ... 11,911 14 Melbourne Artillery 42 794 433

A10 Karoo ... 6,127 12 Sydney and Melbourne Signallers and A.M.C 13 388 398

A11 Ascanius ... 10,048 13 Adelaide & Fremantle Infantry 65 1,728 10

A12 Saldanha ... 4,594 11 Adelaide Horses 4 52 274

A13 Katuna ... ... 4,641 11 Sydney and Hobart Horses 5 94 506

A14 Euripides ... 14,947 15 Sydney Infantry 29 2,202 15

A15 Star of England 9,150 13.5 Brisbane Light Horse 25 487 457

A16 Star of Victoria... 9,152 13.5 Sydney Light Horse 26 487 461

A17 Port Lincoln ... 7,243 12 Adelaide Light Horse 19 35I 338

A18 Wiltshire ... 10,390 14 Melbourne Light Horse and A.M.C. 35 724 497

A19 Afric ... 11,999 13 Sydney Infantry, A.S.C., and Engrs 48 1,372 8

A20 Hororata ... 9,491 14 Melbourne Infantry 66 1,986 118

A21 Marere ... 6,443 12.5 Melbourne Horses 4 80 443

A22 Rangatira ... 10,118 14 Brisbane Arty, Infantry, & AMC 15 430 450

A23 Suffolk ... 7,573 12 Sydney Infantry 32 979 8

A24 Benalla ... 11,118 14 Melbourne Infantry and A.S.C. 49 1,185 10

A25 Anglo-Egyptian 7,379 12 Brisbane and Melbourne Horses 6 105 492

A26 Armadale ... 6,153 11 Melbourne Lines of communication - - -

A27 Southern ... 4,769 10.5 Sydney and Melbourne Horses 5 136 281

A28 Miltiades ... 7,814 13 Sydney and Melbourne Imperial Reservists - 600 -

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No. Name. Tonnage. Speed. Officer Commanding Troops.

lst Division.

A3 Orvieto ... 12,130 15 Lieut.-Colonel D. S. Wanliss (Flagship of G.O.C.)

A27 Southern ... 4,769 10.5 Lieut-Colonel R. T. Sutherland

A4 Pera 7,635 11 Lieutenant E. W. Richards

A26 Armadale 6,153 11 Major P. W. Smith

A12 Saldanha ... 4,594 11 Lieutenant P. A. McE. Laurie

A13 Katuna ... 4,641 11 Major S. Hawley

A1 Hymettus ... 4,6o6 11.5 Major A. A. Holdsworth

A23 Suffolk ... 7,573 12 Lieut.-Colonel C. F. Braund

A25 Anglo-Egyptian 7,379 12 Lieutenant W. Standfield

2nd Division.

A18 Wiltshire ... 10,390 14 Lieut.-Colonel L. Long (Divisional leader)

A7 Medic ... 12,032 13 Major A. J. Bessell-Browne

A11 Ascanius ... 10,048 13 Lieut.-Colonel S. P. Weir

A15 Star of England 9,150 13.5 Lieut.-Colonel R. M. Stoddart

A2 Geelong 7,951 12 Lieut.-Colonel L. F. Clarke

A17 Port Lincoln 7,243 12 Lieut.-Colonel F. N. Rowell

A10 Karoo ... 6,127 12 Captain H. L. Mackworth

A21 Marere ... 6.443 12.5 Captain C. H. Spurge

A6 Clan MacCorquodale 5,058 12.5 Major A. J. Bennett

3rd Division.

A14 Euripides ... 14,947 15 Colonel H. N. MacLaurin (Divisional leader)

A8 Argyllshire 10,392 14 Major S. E. Christian

A9 Shropshire ... 11,911 14 Colonel J. J. T. Hobbs

A19 Afric ... 11,999 13 Lieut.-Colonel L. Dobbin

A24 Benalla ... 11,118 14 Lieut.-Colonel W. K. Bolton

A22 Rangatira ... 10,118 14 Lieut.-Colonel C. Rosenthal

A16 Star of Victoria 9,152 13.5 Lieut.-Colonel J. B. Meredith

A20 Hororata ... 9,491 14 Lieut.-Colonel J. M. Semmens

A5 Omrah ... 8,130 15 Lieut.-Colonel H. W. Lee

A28 Miltiades ... 7,814 13 Major C. T. Griffiths

Link to comment
Share on other sites

NEW ZEALAND TRANSPORTS.

No. Name. Tonnage. Speed.

lst Division.

3 Maunganui ... 7,527 16

9 Hawkes Bay ... 7,207 13

8 Star of India ... 6,800 11

7 Limerick ... 6,827 13

4 Tahiti … 7,585 17

No. Name. Tonnage. Speed.

2nd Division.

10 Arawa ... 9,372 12

11 Athenic ... 12,234 12

6 Orari … 6,800 12

5 Ruapehu ... 7,885 13

12 Waimana ... 10,389 14

New Zealand Transports of the Main Body.

Tons Knots Port of Departure Units on Board Nos. Carried

N.Z.T. No. 3 Maunganui 7,527 16 Wellington Headquarters Staff. N.Z E.F. 38 Officers

Headquarters, N.Z. Infantry Brigade 528 Men

Field Troop, N.Z. E. 204 Horses

Wellington Infantry Battalion (West Coast Coy.)

N.Z. Mounted Field Ambulance

N.Z.T. No. 4 Tahiti 7,585 17 Lyttelton Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regt. 30 Officers

Wellington Mounted Rifles Regt. (1 Squadron) 61l Men

Canterbury Infantry Battalion (1 Company) 282 Horses

N.Z.T No. 5 Ruapehu 7,885 13 Port Chalmers Otago Mounted Rifles Regt. (1 Squadron) 31 Officers

Otago Infantry Battalion (less 2 Companies 785 Men

& Machine Gun Section) 214 Horses

N.Z.T. No. 6 Orari 6,800 12 Wellington Wellington Mounted Rifles Regt. 16 Officers

(East Coast Squadron and 2 Troops) 269 Men

Surplus horses from other transports 728 Horses

N.Z.T. No. 7 Limerick 7,207 13 Wellington N.Z. Field Artillery Brigade (in part) 21 Officers

Wellington Infantry Battalion (No. 7 & 8 Platoons) 495 Men

348 Horses

N.Z.T. No. 8 Star of India 6,800 11 Auckland Auckland Mounted Rifles Regt. 30 Officers

New Zealand Field Ambulance 652 Men

395 Horses

N.Z.T. No. 9 Hawkes Bay 7,207 13 Port Chalmers Otago Mounted Rifles Regt. (less 1 Squadron) 40 Officers

Otago Infantry Battalion (2 Companies & Machine 930 Men

Gun Section) 569 Horses

N.Z.T. No. 10 Arawa 9,372 12 Wellington Wellington Infantry Battalion (less West Coast Coy. 59 Officers

7 and 8 Platoons) 1,259 Men

Wellington Mounted Rifles Regt. (less 2 troops) 215 Horses

Field Artillery Brigade (in part)

Signal Troop, N.Z. E.

N.Z.T No. 11 Athenic 12,234 12 Lyttleton Headquarters, Mounted Rifles Brigade 54 Officers.

Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regt. (2 Squadrons) 1,259 Men

Canterbury Infantry Battalion (less 1 Coy) 339 Horses

N.Z.T. No. 12 Waimana 10,389 14 Auckland Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment 61 Officers

Auckland Infantry Battalion 1,400 Men

NZ Signal Company 496 Horses

NZ Divisional Train

In addition to the units mentioned each transport carried the usual details - Naval Transport Officer, Medical Officers, Chaplains, etc. N.Z.T. No. 1 (S.S. Moeraki) and N.Z.T No. 2 (S.S. Monowai) took the Samoan Force, in August, 1914.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Transports Carrying the New Zealand and Australian Division from Alexandria, April 1915.

Name of Transport.

O.C. Troops

Adjutant

Units on Board

ACHAIA

Major H. Hart Wellington Battalion

Lieut. A. J. Cross Wellington Battalion

Wellington Infantry Battalion (2 Companies).

ITONUS

Lt-Col. W. G. Malone Wellington Battalion

Capt. M. McDonnell Wellington Battalion

Wellington Infantry Battalion (less 2 Companies)

Canterbury Infantry Battalion (2 Companies)

KATUNA

Major F. Simon RNZA

Capt. Clyde McGilp 1st Battery N.Z.F.A.

Headquarters, Field Artillery Brigade

LUTZOW

Lt.-Col. A. Plugge Auckland Battalion

Capt. A. G. B. Price Auckland Battalion

Divisional Headquarters Auckland Infantry Battalion

Divisional Signal Company (HQ No. 1 Section)

Canterbury Battalion (less 2 Companies)

GOSLAR

Major F. Fergusson Royal Engineers

Capt. F. Waite NZE

Headquarters Divisional Engineers, N. Z. Engineers

No. 1 Field Company, New Zealand Engineers

Headquarters New Zealand Infantry Brigade

No. 1 Field Ambulance New Zealand Medical Corps

HQ No. 2 Coy Divisional Train & Details, NZASC

ANNABERG

Lt-Col. A. Moore Otago Battalion

Lieut. J.S. Reid Otago Battalion

Otago Infantry Battalion

HAIDAR PASHA

Lt.-Col. Pope 16th Battalion

Capt. R.T. McDonald 16th Battalion

16th Battalion Australian Infantry (HQ &d 3 Coys)

SEEANGBEE

Major H. B. Carter 15th Battalion

Capt. C. P. Corser 15th Battalion

13th Battalion Australian Infantry (1 Company)

15th Battalion Australian Infantry (2 Companies)

16th Battalion Australian Infantry (1 Company)

AUSTRALND

Lt.-Col Cannan 15th Battalion

Capt. W. C. Willis 15th Battalion

4th New Zealand Howitzer Battery & Ammunition Column

15th Battalion Australian Infantry (less 2 Companies)

SEEANGCHUN

Lt-Col. R.E. Courtney 14th Battalion

Capt. C.M.H. Dare 14th Battalion

Headquarters 4th Australian Infantry Brigade

14th Battalion Australian Infantry

CALIFORNIAN

Major I. T. Standish R.N.Z.A.

Lieut. C. Carrington N.Z.F.A.

3rd Battery New Zealand Field Artillery

Ammunition Column, New Zealand Field Artillery Brigade

4th Australian Field Ambulance

ASCOT

Lt-Col. G. J. Burnage 13th Battalion

Capt. J.H.A. Durrant 13th Battalion

13th Battalion Australian Infantry (HQ & 3 Companies)

4th Australian Coy Divisional Train (HQ & Supply Section)

SURADA

Major F. B. Sykes Royal Artillery

Lieut. V. Rogers R.N.Z.A.

2nd Battery New Zealand Field Artillery

No. 2 Brigade Ammunition Column

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Quote from my previous post

“Jan 5 2005, 06:48 AM Post #2

Steve,

N10 is the ‘Royal George’ and appears on IWM photograph Q61123, see page 88 of ‘RND’ Issue No.2 Sept 1997

Sorry can’t help with B12 & N6”

Steve,

Can now answer re ‘N6’

This was HMT Braemar Castle

See photograph in Len Sellers magazine ‘RND’ Issue No.19, Dec 2001, page 1885

Regards

Michael D.R.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

B7 = HMT Alaunia

See pictures facing pages 17 and 41 of ‘With the Twenty-ninth Division in Gallipoli’ by Rev O. Creighton. As was common practice at the time Creighton only gives the initial letter of the vessel’s name however his text refers to the ship taking the RFs, the LFs and 1 company of the Munsters

Ref to Westlake gives the Alaunia as taking the 2nd Royal Fusiliers, the 1st Lancashire Fusiliers and ‘D’ Company of the 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers

Regards

Michael D.R.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
  • 2 months later...
Menominee carried the 8th LH to Gallipoli in May 1915 - arriving off Anzac Cove they were then transferred to the Foxhound

The transport Menominee had the no. X2.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...