Chitral (2)
The Chitral (2) was a cargo-passenger liner built in 1955 that served under three different companies across multiple trade routes. Originally constructed as the Jadotville for Compagnie Maritime Belge's African service, she later became a successful passenger vessel for P&O and Eastern & Australian Lines.
With her yacht-like appearance and versatile cargo-passenger configuration, she represented the final generation of mixed-traffic liner services before containerization and air travel changed maritime commerce forever.
Construction and Technical Details
Built by Belgium/Penhoet at their St Nazaire yard in France, Chitral (2) was launched on November 30, 1955, and completed in July 1956. She was virtually identical to her sister ship Cathay (3), with only minor differences in the forward promenade deck windows.
Key Facts
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Gross Tonnage | 13,821 tons |
| Length | 558 ft (170.1 m) |
| Beam | 70 ft (21.3 m) |
| Propulsion | DGR Steam Turbines (12,500 SHP) |
| Screws | Twin |
| Service Speed | 16.5 knots |
| Passenger Capacity | 274 (one class) |
| Crew | 200 |
| Cargo Capacity | 532,000 cubic feet across 6 holds |
Early Service (1956-1960)
As Jadotville, she operated on the Belgium-West Africa trade for Compagnie Maritime Belge. The vessel's distinctive livery featured a white hull and superstructure, yellow funnel, and red boot-topping. Following the independence of Belgian colonies in Africa in 1960, the ship was laid up.
P&O Service (1961-1970)
P&O purchased the vessel and renamed her Chitral (2). Her inaugural voyage under P&O colors took place on March 2, 1961, operating on the London-Japan route. The service pattern included calls at Rotterdam, Southampton, Port Said, Aden, Colombo, Penang, Port Swettenham, Singapore, Hong Kong, Yokohama, and Kobe, returning via Naples and Le Havre to London. During this period, passenger accommodations were upgraded with private facilities added to most cabins, all of which featured outside portholes or windows.
Eastern & Australian Service (1970-1975)
In 1970, responding to the growing impact of air travel and containerization, Chitral (2) was transferred to P&O's subsidiary Eastern & Australian Line. Her funnel was modified with a black cap to match the subsidiary's house colors. She operated regular services from Sydney and Melbourne, including calls at Rabaul, Port Moresby, Noumea, and Manila. In 1975, she made two notable calls at Auckland.
Final Disposition
The Chitral (2) was sold to Taiwanese breakers in late 1975, what many considered a premature end for such an attractive vessel.