Built under yard No. 661 by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Enginering Co., Govan U.K. for the Anchor Line, Glasgow.
08 June 1937 launched under the name CIRCASSIA.
Tonnage 11.170 grt, 6.467 net, 10.287 dwy, dim. 154.41 x 20.12 x 10.85m. (draught).
Powered by two 8-cyl. Fairfield-Doxford diesel engines, manufactured by shipbuilder, 10.200 bhp., twin screws, speed 16.5 knots.
Accommodation for 300 first class and 80 steerage passengers.
19 October 1937 completed.
23 October 1937 sailed from Glasgow/Liverpool for her maiden voyage to Bombay. Thereafter Liverpool – Bombay service.
14 October 1939 requisitioned and refitted in an auxiliary armed merchant cruiser.
Armament 8 – 6 inch and 2 – 3 inch guns.
05 March 1942 returned and fitted out as a troopship.
Took part in the Africa landings as a personnel ship, sailed from Glasgow on 30 Oct. 1942, and the Clyde on 01 Nov. with on board 2.406 troops in follow-up convoy KMF2 and arrived Algiers 12 November.
1943 Fitted out as a Landing Ship Infantery (Large)
Was at the Sicily landings, sailed from Clyde on 28 June 1943 in assault convoy KMF 18 as a landing ship infantry with a capacity of 2.016 troops.
Arrived Sicily, Bark West beachhead 10 July.
Took part in the Anzio landings, sailed Naples 21 January 1944, capacity 2.016 troops as a landing ship in TG 81.4, arrived X beachhead 22 January.
Took part in the South of France landings, sailed Taranto as a landing ship on 12 August 1944 in the follow-up convoy TF 1, arrived Delta beachhead 16 August, with on board 1.983 personnel.
Took part in the Malayan landings, sailed Vizagapatam with on board 139 Britis and 1.600 Indian personnel in assault convoys JMF1F then JME1F arrived Morib beached 09 September, then she continued to Singapore.
21 August 1947 returned to the Anchor Line and after a overhaul resumed her service in 1948 between Liverpool to Bombay.
13 January 1966 she made Anchor Line’s last passenger sailing from Glasgow/Liverpool to Bombay after 110 years.
25 April 1966 arrived at Alicante, Spain for breaking up.
Gibraltar 2005 sg?
Source: Register of Merchant Ships Completed in 1937. Great Passenger Ships of the World Volume 4 by Arnold Kludas. Anchor Line by Duncan Haws. British Invasion Fleets by John de S. Winser.