Dorsetshire and Somersetshire
The Dorsetshire and Somersetshire were sister ships built by Harland and Wolff Ltd, Belfast in 1920-21 for the Bibby Line. Originally ordered to transport lead ore from Burma, these versatile vessels would serve multiple roles over their 33-year careers, including as troopships, hospital ships, and migrant transports.
Construction and Early Years (1920-1927)
The ships were initially ordered for transporting lead ore from the Matu mines in Burma to Britain. Dorsetshire was launched on April 22, 1920, and delivered the same year, while Somersetshire followed on February 24, 1921, with delivery three months later. When the mines built their own smelter, the ships were chartered out for other purposes.
Pre-War Service (1927-1939)
In 1927, both vessels underwent significant conversion at the Vickers-Armstrong shipyard in Barrow, being rebuilt as troopships with accommodation for 1,450 troops, 108 dependants, 58 warrant officers, and 112 officers. They operated primarily between Britain and India on a seasonal service from October to April, spending the off-season laid up in the River Dart or occasionally traveling to China.
Wartime Service (1939-1948)
During World War II, both ships served as hospital ships. Somersetshire participated in the withdrawal from Narvik in 1940 before being struck by a torpedo in the Mediterranean, though she managed to reach Alexandria. Dorsetshire faced intense air attacks in January 1943 off Tobruk and later suffered damage from air attacks off the coast of Sicily. Both vessels assisted in repatriating prisoners of war before returning to civilian service in 1948.
Post-War Service (1948-1954)
Under contract to the Ministry of Transport, both ships were modified to carry migrants to Australia, with accommodation for 550 passengers. Somersetshire departed Liverpool on November 12, 1948, with Dorsetshire following on December 10. They each completed four round trips annually via Suez, occasionally transporting Dutch evacuees from Indonesia on return voyages. This service continued until 1952.
In their final years, Somersetshire transported British troops to Kenya during the Mau Mau uprising, while Dorsetshire initially served as accommodation for oil refinery workers in Aden before joining her sister ship in 1953 as a troop transport to East Africa.
Final Disposition
Dorsetshire was purchased by John Cashmore and scrapped at their Newport yard on February 1, 1954. Somersetshire went to the British Iron & Steel company, arriving at their Barrow ship breaking yard on March 4, 1954.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Gross Tonnage | 9,600 |
| Length | 450 feet (137.1 m) |
| Beam | 57 feet (17.4 m) |
| Draught | 23 feet (7 m) |
| Propulsion | Two H&W/Sulzer diesels (3,450 BHP) |
| Speed | 13 knots |
| Passenger Capacity | 550 tourist 'B' class |
| Crew | 190 |
| Livery | Black hull, white superstructure, pink and black funnel, red boot-topping |