The Plassy underway
| |
History | |
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United Kingdom | |
Name | Plassy |
Operator | The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company |
Builder | Caird & Company, Greenock |
Yard number | 296 |
Launched | 23 November 1900 [1] |
Maiden voyage | 29 January 1901 |
Fate | Scrapped 4 September 1924 at Genoa |
General characteristics | |
Tonnage | 7,404 GRT |
Length | 450 feet (140 m) |
Propulsion | 2 x T3 cyl (28.5, 46, 76 x 48in), 1,055 nhp, 2 × screw [2] |
HMHS Plassy (His Majesty's Hospital ship) was a steamship originally built for the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O), which spent most of its career in government service, particularly as a troop transport for the Second Boer War and as a hospital ship in World War I, including service at the Battle of Jutland. [3]
The ship was built by Caird & Company as a twin-screw steamer, capable of mail and passenger service, but also to comply with government regulations for troop ships. The specifications included a top speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph), and accommodation for 114 first class and 57 second class passengers. [4]
In 1911, the ship (then a troop transport) was fitted with wireless telegraphy. [5]
At the Battle of Jutland, Plassy served as a hospital ship, [6] and took on board 192 wounded from the battlecruisers HMS Lion and HMS Princess Royal, [7] including a number with severe burns. [8]
In June 1917, King George V visited the ship at Scapa Flow. [9] [10] [11] [12]