shipstamps.co.uk

RMS Empress of Japan was an ocean liner built in 1929-1930 by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Company at Govan on the Clyde in Scotland for Canadian Pacific Steamships (CP). This ship -- the second of two CP vessels to be named Empress of Japan -- regularly traversed the trans-Pacific route between the west coast of Canada and the Far East until 1942. This Empress was distinguished by the Royal Mail Ship (RMS) prefix in front of her name while in commercial service with Canadian Pacific.

In 1942, she was renamed RMS Empress of Scotland -- the second of two CP vessels to be named Empress of Scotland. In 1957, the Hamburg Atlantic Line purchased the ship and re-named her SS Hanseatic.

1930—1942: Empress of Japan

The Empress of Japan carried out her sea trial successfully in May 1930, achieving a top speed of 23 knots; and on 8 June 1930, she was delivered to Vancouver for service on the trans-Pacific route. In this period, she was the fastest ocean liner on the Pacific. Due to being a part of Canadian Pacific's service carrying Royal Mail, the Empress of Japan carried the RMS (Royal Mail Ship) prefix in front of her name while in commercial service with Canadian Pacific.

She would continue sailing the Vancouver-Yokohama-Kobe-Shanghai-Hong Kong route for the rest of the decade. Amongst her celebrity passengers were a number of American baseball all-stars, including Babe Ruth, who sailed aboard the Empress of Japan in October 1934 en route to Japan.

The outbreak of war in Europe caused the Empress of Japan to be re-fitted for wartime service.
Following the Japanese attacks on the Empire outposts in the Far East in December 1941, the name of the ship needed to be changed. In 1942, she was renamed the Empress of Scotland.

Hong Kong SG164

Wikipedia

"Empress of Japan" I served on her as the "Empress of Scotland' from from 1951 through 1957. She was, "The Most Beautiful Lady ever to Sail Down the River Mersey."

Hi John

I have just bought the Hong Kong stamp and I am in the process of writitng up the ship. However, I cannot find a reference that comfirms it as the "Empress of Japan" - sometimes "Google" just isn't the answer! if you could point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.

Thanks

Andy Shand

The source is unknown by me. Watercraft Philately, Navicula and Log Book give the name as EMPRESS OF JAPAN.
Canada issued in 1985 a pre-stamped envelope of 34c which also depicted the EMPRESS OF JAPAN

Hi

Anyone interested in the Empress of Japan (Scotland) will find this link interesting "http://www.angelfire.com/pe2/pjs1/" - nearly a book's worth of info! Good source of Canadian Pacific information.

Andy