Built as a cargo-passenger vessel under yard No 1360 by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson, New Castle for Cassar Co. Ltd., Valetta, Malta.
02 October 1929 launched under the name KNIGHT OF MALTA.
Tonnage 1.553 grt, 961 nrt, 900 dwt. Dim. 270 x 37.3 x 17.9ft., length between pp 260.5ft.
Triple expansion steam engine, manufactured by the shipbuilder, 328nhp., speed 15 knots, one screw.
Passenger accommodation for 62 first class, in one or two person’s cabins. 30 second class berthed in four persons cabins or in the public rooms on the vessel. Could carry also 16 emigrants, which were living on the forepart of the vessel.
The first class passengers could use a smoke and music room and a dining room, and a sheltered place on deck in front of the promenade deck.
December 1929 delivered to owners, registered under the English flag.
She was special designed for the mail and passenger trade between Malta and Syracuse, Italy, but was also used to other ports in the Mediterranean.
01 July 1940 chartered by the English Ministry of War Transport, and managed thereafter by Harris & Dixon Ltd., London, first used as an auxiliary guard ship, but from Nov. 1940 as a naval transport vessel.
04 March 1941 (other source gives 2 March) she grounded 2 mile off Raz Azzaz, Libya, and was lost.
Malta 1986 10c sg 793
Lost the sources on this one.