Letitia

The Letitia was a significant passenger liner built by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Company in Glasgow. Launched on October 14, 1924, she began her career with the Donaldson Line in April 1925, operating between Glasgow and Montreal. Her sister ship, the Athenia, would later gain historical significance as the first British passenger vessel lost in World War II.

Pre-War Service

Initially designed to carry 516 cabin class and 1,023 third class passengers, the Letitia maintained regular service on the Glasgow-Montreal route from 1925 until the outbreak of World War II.

Wartime Service

In October 1939, the vessel was requisitioned by the Ministry of Transport and converted into an armed merchant cruiser. She later served as a troopship before being converted into a hospital ship by the Canadian Government in 1944.

Post-War Service

After the war, the vessel was purchased by the Ministry of Transport but remained under Donaldson Line management. Renamed Empire Brent, she transported war-brides and families of Canadian servicemen. On November 20, 1946, she collided with the coaster Stormont in the River Mersey, resulting in the latter's sinking and severe damage to Empire Brent's bow.

In 1947, the vessel underwent refit at Barclay, Curle on the Clyde for the Australian emigrant trade, with a new capacity of 965 passengers. Between 1948 and 1949, she completed seven voyages to Australia, including a 1950 diversion to transport Dutch nationals to Indonesia. Her last voyage under this service concluded when she returned to Glasgow on December 6, 1950.

New Zealand Service

In 1951, the vessel was chartered to the New Zealand Government and renamed Captain Cook, departing Glasgow for New Zealand on February 5, 1952. For seven years, she transported emigrants to New Zealand. Following the New Zealand Government's full acquisition in 1959, her hull was repainted white. Her 25th and final voyage to New Zealand departed Glasgow on February 10, 1960.

Final Disposition

After being laid up at Falmouth, the vessel was sold to TW Ward Ltd and arrived at their Inverkeithing shipbreaking yard on April 29, 1960.

Key Facts

Specification	Details
Built	1925
Builder	Fairfield SB & E Co, Glasgow
Gross Tonnage	13,475
Dimensions	538ft x 66ft (164m x 20.2m)
Service Speed	15 knots
Propulsion	Geared turbines/twin screws
Initial Passenger Capacity	516 cabin class, 1,023 third class
Later Passenger Capacity	965 (1947)