2001 The Philippines issued a stamp for the Centenary of the arrival of American Educators in the Philippines, the vessel depict on the stamp is the USAT THOMAS; most probably they arrived on this vessel in 1901 in the Philippines.
Built as a passenger-cargo vessel under yard No 282 by Harland & Wolff at Belfast for the Hamburg Amerika Line, Hamburg.
08 May 1894 launched as the PERSIA (I)
Tonnage 5.796 gross, 4.462 net., dim. 135.79 x 15.29 x 9.09m.
Powered by two 3-cyl. triple expansion steam engines, manufactured by builders, 499 nhp, twin screws, speed 13 knots.
Passenger accommodation for 60 first class and 1.800 third.
15 July 1894 maiden voyage from Hamburg to New York.
28 November 1897 she made the last voyage for the Hamburg Amerika Line.
1897 Sold to Atlantic Transport Line (Williams, Torrey & Field, Ltd.), London and reconditioned by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, renamed MINNEWASKA.
Passenger accommodation for 80 first class and 1800 third class passengers.
24 January 1898 made her first transatlantic voyage for her new owners from Belfast to New York.
24 February 1898 first voyage from London to New York.
14 July 1898 made her last voyage from London and after 4½ round voyages she was sold.
1889 Sold to the American Government and renamed USAT THOMAS, managed by the US Army Transportation Corps.
Her main trooping duties were to the Philippines.
The New York Times of 4 January 1906 told that on her way to the USA in her coal bunkers were found two sticks of dynamite. The 4.000 tons of coal was loaded at Nagasaki, Japan.
At that time she had on board 1.300 soldiers and 400 saloon passengers.
May 1929 sold to American Iron and Metal Co., Oakland, Calf. for scrapping.
Philippines 2001 5p sg?, scott ?
Source: Miramar, Register of Merchant Ships completed in 1894. North Atlantic Seaway by N.R.P. Bonsor. Merchant Fleets in profile volume 4 by Duncan Haws.
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