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EMPRESS OF ASIA of Vancouver
Operated by Canadian Pacific Steamships and sailing under a Canadian
flag
In fleet from 1913 to 1942
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Photo courtesy of I Stockbridge Collection
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TECHNICAL DATA
Official Number: 135226
Built by Fairfield Co. Ltd., Glasgow, Yard no.: 485
Completed May, 1913
Engine Information
4 Steam Turbine engines, with driving 4 screws.
Nhp: 3720, speed: 19kts.
Engines built by shipbuilders.
Original Dimensions
| Length: 590 |
GRT: 16909 |
| Beam: 68.2 |
Net: 8883 |
| Depth: 42 |
DWT: 9135 |
All dimensions are in Imperial
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Ship History:
Completed as EMPRESS OF ASIA for Canadian
Pacific Railway Co. (Canadian Pacific Steamships Ltd.,
managers.)
2.8.1914: Requisition by Admiralty for service as ArmedMerchant
Cruiser and fitted out at Hong Kong.
Armed with eight 4.7in guns.
Stationed in Far East blockading German ships in Tsing Taoand
then Philippines.
Sent to Indian Ocean to search for Emden.
22.10.1915: Paid of and returned to commercial service after a
refit at Hong Kong.
5.1916: Requisitioned for service as troop transport on North
Atlantic.
2.1919: Returned to Commercial service after refit at Vancouver.
11.1.1926: In collision with Chinese ship Tung Shing.
1.1941: Requisitioned for service as troop transport.
12.11.1941: Sailed from Liverpool on passage to Middle East via
Cape Town with 2,235 troops.
Ship diverted to Singapore via Bombay
4.2.1942: Attacked by Japanese aircraft off Singapore.
Set on fire ship was anchored off Sultan Shoal Light House.
Troops and crew abandoned ship with assistance of HMASYARRA.
One crew and 15 troops lost.
Deck and engine room crew posted to other ships to assist
evacuation of Singapore.
Catering staff interned by Japanese after assisting in Hospitals
some died in PoW camps.
1952: Work began on salvaging wreck. |
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Database Copyright 1997, 1997, International Maritime Research
Database Design Copyright 1993, 1997, Valian Associates
For further copies of this and other ships contact:
Walnut Tree Cottage, Hinderclay, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 1HT
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