Jervis Bay

The Jervis Bay was one of five "Bay" class passenger-cargo liners ordered by the Australian Commonwealth Line after World War I for the Australian emigrant service. Built with distinctive Jarrah wood fittings, she would later achieve immortal fame for her heroic last stand against the German heavy cruiser Admiral Scheer during World War II.

Construction and Early Design

Constructed by Vickers Armstrongs Ltd at their Barrow-in-Furness yard in England, Jervis Bay was launched on January 17, 1922 and completed that September. She was designed alongside four sister ships, each named after bays in the Australian Federal States they would serve: Moreton Bay, Hobsons Bay, Largs Bay, and Esperance Bay (the latter two being slightly different, built by William Beardmore & Co).

Commercial Service (1922-1939)

The vessel commenced her maiden voyage from London to Brisbane on September 26, 1922. Initially registered in London, she operated with a black hull livery, white superstructure, and buff funnel. Her deep holds were equipped with refrigeration facilities capable of carrying 360,000 cubic feet of meat and produce to England.

In 1928, the British Kylsant Group purchased the line, renaming it Aberdeen & Commonwealth Line. The ships received a new livery of deep green hulls with buff funnels, with the white superstructure extended down one deck. A 1931 refit modified the passenger configuration, and Southampton became her terminal port. Following the Kylsant Group's collapse during the Great Depression, management transferred to Shaw, Savill.

Wartime Service and Final Battle

When war was declared on September 3, 1939, Jervis Bay was the only "Bay" ship in a British port. She was immediately sent to the Tyne for conversion to an armed merchant cruiser, being fitted with eight six-inch guns.

On Tuesday, November 5, 1940, while escorting Convoy HX-84 of 37 ships, she encountered the German heavy cruiser Admiral Scheer. Despite being hopelessly outgunned by the enemy's 11-inch guns, Jervis Bay turned to engage the warship, allowing the convoy to scatter. She fought for over an hour while ablaze from end to end, providing crucial time for most of the convoy to escape. The Canadian Pacific freighter Beaverford continued the fight after Jervis Bay went down.

Of her 245 officers and crew, only 65 survived, rescued by the Swedish freighter Stureholm and Gloucester City which returned to the battle site under cover of darkness. Her captain, E. Fogarty-Fegan, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallant action.

Legacy

The sacrifice of Jervis Bay is commemorated at the Jervis Bay Naval Base in Australia. Her name lived on in a container ship launched in 1970 and the Royal Australian Navy vessel HMAS Jervis Bay.

Key Facts

Specification	Details
Tonnage	13,839 GRT (later over 14,000)
Length	549 ft (167.3m)
Beam	68 ft (20.7m)
Draft	33 ft (10m)
Propulsion	D.R.G. Vickers steam turbines (9000 SHP), twin screws
Speed	15 knots
Capacity	Initially 12 first + 712 third class; later 542 tourist class
Crew	216