Built as a passenger-cargo vessel under yard No 236 by Workman, Clark & Comp. Ltd, Belfast for the Ellerman Lines Ltd. Glasgow.
20 November 1906 launched as the CITY OF LONDON.
Tonnage 8,956 gross, 5,714 net, dim. 149.66 (bpp.) x 17.65 x 7.96m.
Powered by one quadruple steam engine, manufactured by shipbuilder, 7,200 hp., one shaft, speed 15 knots.
Passenger accommodation for 272 first and 64 second class passengers.
February 1907 completed.
She was built for the liner service between the U.K. and India. She made a record passage from Bombay to the U.K. in slightly less than 19 days.
08 January 1916 chartered by the British Admiralty as an Armed Merchant Cruiser (AMC), armed with 8 – 6 inch and 2 – 6pdr guns. Renamed in HMS CITY OF LONDON pennant no MI 69.
She served on the China station and took part in the search for the German raider WOLFE.
06 July 1919 returned to owners and resumed the U.K. to India service.
1931 to 1935 used in the South African service of the Ellerman & Bucknall Line. 1936 Returned to the U.K. to India service.
1939 Converted in a troopship and was later used as accommodation ship in Ceylon.
1946 Returned to the U.K., made one round voyage to New York, passenger accommodation 300 passengers.
After her return to the U.K she was scrapped by Arnott Young & Co at Dalmuir were she arrived in June 1946.
Liberia 2015 $30 sg?, scott?
Source: http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz Armed Merchant Cruisers 1878-1945 by Osborne, Spong and Grover.