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

HMT VOLUMNIA INFORMATION


Sgt Stripes

Recommended Posts

Looking for any information regarding the VOLUMNIA, built 1911 by Russell & Co. Would be great to see a photograph of this ship if possible. Not sure if she transported troops . 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not troops, horses and mules.

Taken up on 29 Aug 1916 as expeditionary force transport no. E 618 she transported horses and mules from USA/Canada until 21 Jan 1917. From that date until 15 June 1917 she transported remounts cross channel and then did the same in the Mediterranean for the remainder of the war according to the Merchant Ship Services List. This is born out by the 1915 Crew Lists which show a considerable number of "Muleteers" signed on so she was engaged in this trade since late 1914 according to the Crew Lists, running into Avonmouth.

Owned by the Volumnia Steamship Co. she was managed by Gow,Harrison & Co. of Glasgow, surviving the war until 1929 when she was abandoned on a voyage from Fowey to Philadelphia and Boston with a cargo of china clay.

There were six sister ships built around the same time and whilst I cannot find a picture of VOLUMNIA this is a photo of VERDALA as MONGOLIAN PRINCE which would have looked much the same, and also VESTALIA which was Transport A44 for the Australian Government

Tony

 

MongolianPrince-02.jpg.fc6e53ad29aef10be3a1d96bd11cf32e.jpg

Vestalia(ANZACA44)-01.jpg.5b783867ba2f96f533eb3513d943a1a8.jpg

Edited by MerchantOldSalt
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Many thanks for this information and taking the time to look for a photograph. This is most helpful for my research 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

VOLUMNIA  Steel single screw steamship

Built for Gow & Harrison Ltd
O.N. 129559 5,608gt 423.6 x 56.1 x 27.9 feet

3 Cyl. triple-expansion engines by Rankin & Blackmore Ltd, Greenock

Launched 4th April 1911, completed May 1911.
Built by Russell & Co., Port Glasgow Yard No. 617

Abandoned in the North Atlantic 7th December 1929 after loosing her steering and springing a leak during severe gales. The ship had sailed from Falmouth on 28th November 1929 and having sent out an SOS, the entire crew were successfully rescued a by passing steamer MANCHESTER REGIMENT.

MB

Edited by KizmeRD
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you for your reply. I knew she had been abandoned by her crew and sunk but did not know the reason.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not the best of pictures but shows that VOLUMNIA was indeed a sister ship to VERDALA/MONGOLIAN PRINCE. This photo from a Newspaper of 3 Sep 1926 shows the ship ashore 4 miles west of Dover after a collision in fog with the Dutch ship DJAMBI on 2 Sep 1926.  She made the newspapers on several occasions during her career.

Tony

Volaground2Sep1926.JPG.0bcd5e8e4fa014f24f1ae55c87398c29.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Following the collision in 1926, the ship was beached at Folkestone Warren.

MB

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fabulous Photo. So please that at least one photograph exists of this ship. Many thanks 

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...