Built as a cargo vessel under yard No 681 by Russel & Co., Port Glasgow for Thos Wilson, Sons & Co. Ltd., Hull, U.K.
07 September 1915 launched as the LEPANTO (2).
Tonnage 6,389 gross, 4,020 net. Dim. 125.03 (bpp) x 16.31 x 10.3m.
One 3-cyl. triple expansion steam engine, manufactured by J.G. Kincard & Co. Ltd., Greenock, 495 nhp, speed 10.5 knots.
November 1915 completed.
04 December 1915 maiden voyage from Port Glasgow to New York.
15 March 1917 attacked by gunfire of a German submarine in English Channel but she drove off submarine with her own gun.
23 October 1917 torpedoed by the German submarine UB-31 about 3-4 miles off Dartmouth whilst on a voyage from Middlesbrough to New York, she managed to reach Dartmouth. She lost during the attack two crew members. She was later repaired and returned to service.
1917 Transferred to Ellermans Wilson Line Ltd., Hull, not renamed.
8 February 1918 hired as escort by British Admiralty, at that time she carried an armament of 2 – 6 inch and 2 – 4 inch guns. May 1919 returned to owners.
May 1934 renamed by owners in CITY OF RIPON.
11 November 1942 on a voyage from Port Said via Table Bay, South Africa to Trinidad and New York in ballast under command of Captain John Edward, was she attacked by the U-160 at 08.01 and torpedoed in position 8 40N 59 20 W. where she sank at 08.11. Of her crew of 75 and 8 gunners, 52 crew and 4 gunners were lost, the survivors landed in Port of Spain, Trinidad, after she were picked up by the Brazilian merchant ship MIDOSI.
Guyana 2015 $80 sg?, scott? (The photo shows her as the CITY OF RIPON.)
Sources: Lloyds War Losses, the Second World War. http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz
Wilson Line by John Harrower.