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S.S. "GALWAY CASTLE"

                                                                                                                        Company post card

Built by:              Harland & Wolff, Belfast.

Yard No.:           419

Official No.:       132616

Launched:        12th April 1911.

Completed:      October 1911

Tonnage:          7,988 gross, 4,967 net

Dimensions:    Length 452.3 ft x Beam 56.3 ft

Engines:           Quadruple expansion, 722 h.p., 3,750 i.h.p.,  twin screw, 12 kts

Passengers:    87 1st class, 130 2nd class, 195 3rd class.

Reefer space:  8,400 cu ft

The "Galway Castle" had a short but exciting life.   In September she carried troops from Cape Town to South West Africa (Namibia) at the start of the campaign led by South Africa's General Botha against the German army of the then German South West Africa.

In 1915 she spent some time on the mail run due to those ships being on war service.   On August 3rd., 1916 whilst off the Gull Lightship (Thames estuary) the "Galway" was attacked by a German aircraft but there was no serious damage.

In 1917 on the 12th of October she came seriously to grief, running aground on Orient Beach, east London.  (This notorious beach immediately outside the harbour breakwater) has been the grave yard for numerous ships.)   However she was re-floated and was able to continue her voyage.

This dramatic photograph of the "Galway Castle" aground on Kids Beach East London was taken by Mark Bentley's grandfather.  Mark has very kindly allowed me to use his photo.   Should anyone wish to copy it please contact me first as the copyright belongs to him.  O.G.K.

On September the 12th 1918 she was attacked by U 82 160 miles south-west of Fastnet Rock, she sank three days later.

From Union-Castle, A Fleet History by Peter Newall & Union-Castle Chronicle be Marischal Murray.