Cheshire
The Cheshire was a passenger-cargo vessel built in 1927 for the Bibby Line's prestigious Liverpool-Burma service. As the last and largest of Bibby's pre-war passenger vessels, she represented an evolution of the original Yorkshire design and was specifically constructed with trooping capabilities in mind.
Early Commercial Service (1927-1939)
Launched on April 20, 1927, at Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd in Glasgow, the Cheshire commenced her inaugural voyage in September 1927, operating between Liverpool and Rangoon via the Suez Canal. She was part of Bibby Line's long-established Eastern trade, which the company had dominated for over a century since its founding in 1821.
Wartime Service (1939-1945)
At the outbreak of World War II, the Cheshire was requisitioned and initially served as an armed merchant cruiser before being converted for trooping duties. She operated in various theaters of war throughout the conflict.
Post-War Migration Service (1945-1957)
Following the war, Cheshire was modernized in Liverpool and chartered by the Ministry of Transport for migrant transport to Australia. She was modified to accommodate 650 tourist 'B' class passengers, a significant increase from her original 275 first-class capacity. During this period, she reportedly carried migrants including claimed "stolen young orphans" under the White Australia policy. The vessel made regular calls at Fremantle, Melbourne, and Sydney.
Final Years
In 1957, Cheshire was sent to Newport, Monmouthshire in Wales for breaking up, following her sister ship Dorsetshire.
Key Facts
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Gross Tonnage | 10,600 |
| Length | 502ft (153m) |
| Beam | 60ft (18.3m) |
| Draft | 30ft (9.1m) |
| Propulsion | Two Sulzer diesels (7,700 BHP) |
| Speed | 15 knots |
| Passenger Capacity | Initially 275 first class; later 650 tourist class |
| Cargo Capacity | 525,000 cubic feet frozen cargo |
| Crew | 200 |
The legacy of Cheshire and her sister "Shire" ships continues through the modern Bibby Line fleet, which maintains these historic county names in their current vessel nomenclature.