Beltana
The Beltana was one of five "B-class" liners built for the Blue Anchor Line's Australian service, later operated by P&O as part of their Branch Line fleet. Launched in 1912, she represented a significant improvement in passenger accommodations and served both commercial and military roles during her 21-year career.
Construction and Design
Beltana was built by Caird & Co. of Greenock, Scotland. Launched on January 24, 1912, and completed in May of the same year, she was registered in London. The vessel featured a distinctive livery of a black hull with stone-colored superstructure, black funnel, and red boot-topping.
Blue Anchor Line and P&O Acquisition
The ship was originally ordered by Blue Anchor Line during their early 20th century fleet expansion. However, following the tragic loss of their newest liner Waratah between Durban and Cape Town, the company's owner Alfred Lund never recovered, and the fleet was acquired by P&O Steam Navigation Company. This acquisition included Narrung, Wakool, Wilcania, Commonwealth, and Geelong.
P&O Branch Service
Under P&O ownership, Beltana operated on the Australian route via Cape Town and Durban, distinguished as part of the "Branch service" from P&O's premium Suez Royal Mail routes. The ship could accommodate over 1,100 passengers during peak seasons, though normally carried 350 in conventional cabin configurations. Her improved third-class accommodations proved particularly popular with passengers.
The Beltana and her sisters proved so successful that P&O ordered a second set of "B-class" liners for their fleet.
Wartime Service
During World War I, Beltana was converted for troopship duties. She survived the conflict, unlike her sister ship Ballarat, which was torpedoed off the Scilly Isles in April 1917 while carrying 1,500 Australian servicemen (all of whom were safely evacuated).
Post-War Operations and Final Years
Beltana returned to commercial service after WWI, operating successfully for nine years. The ships operated profitably on the Cape route until 1929, when P&O abandoned the route due to changing economic conditions and the introduction of the new "Strath" class vessels.
During the Great Depression, she was laid up along with her surviving sisters. While briefly considered for conversion to a whale factory ship, this plan never materialized. In 1933, Beltana was sold to Japan for demolition, following her sisters Benalla, Berrima, and Borda. Contemporary sources speculated that her steel may have been repurposed for Japanese military use during World War II.
Sister Ships
Beltana was one of five similar vessels:
- Ballarat (1911)
- Benalla (October 1912)
- Berrima (April 1913)
- Borda (December 1913)
Key Facts
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Tonnage | 11,120 GRT |
| Length | 515 ft (157 m) |
| Beam | 63 ft (19.2 m) |
| Draught | 28 ft (8.5 m) |
| Propulsion | Twin-screw expansion engines, 9,000 IHP |
| Speed | 14 knots |
| Passenger Capacity | 1,100 (peak), 350 (normal) |
| Crew | 260 |