SS Stratheden: Passenger Liner and WWII Troopship, 1937-1969
A striking black and white photograph of the SS Stratheden, a 23,732-ton passenger liner built by Vickers Armstrongs in England. The vessel is shown in profile, displaying its elegant white hull with numerous portholes, prominent single funnel, and multiple deck levels. The ship's name "STRATHEDEN" is clearly visible on its bow. The photograph captures the vessel's impressive scale and classic ocean liner design of the late 1930s.
The Stratheden was a significant passenger liner built for P&O by
Vickers-Armstrong Ltd in 1937. She was designed alongside the Orient Line's
Orcades (2) to share basic design elements for cost efficiency, and operated
with her sister ships Strathmore and Strathallan.
Construction and Design
Launched on June 10, 1937, by the Duchess of Buccleauch & Queensbury and
completed in December of the same year, Stratheden was registered in London.
The vessel featured a distinctive white hull and superstructure with yellow
funnels and red boot-topping. She was equipped with two special suites reserved
for vice-regal use in her premier accommodation.
Pre-War Service (1937-1939)
From delivery, Stratheden served the Australian route and quickly became one
of the most desirable ships on the London-Australia service. During off-peak
seasons, she operated successful Mediterranean cruises from London. In January
1939, she pioneered a trans-Tasman extension from Sydney to Auckland and
Wellington, offering Australians cruise-like round trips.
Wartime Service (1939-1945)
Within nine months of her inaugural New Zealand service, Stratheden was
converted for military use. Her luxury fittings were stored ashore, and she was
equipped with armaments and austere troop accommodation, serving as a transport
for six years.
Post-War Service (1946-1950)
After refitting in 1946, Stratheden became the first P&O vessel to resume
Australian service post-war, departing Tilbury in June 1947. Her route was
modified to include Gibraltar instead of Marseilles. By 1950, she operated
trans-Atlantic cruises before being converted to one-class Mediterranean
service.
Final Years and Fate (1950-1969)
The vessel was sold to a Piraeus-based company and renamed Henrietta Latsis,
operating pilgrim voyages between Jeddah and North Africa. She temporarily
exchanged names with Marriana Latsis during this period. Her career ended at
the La Spezia shipbreaking yard in 1969.
Key Facts
Specification
Details
Gross Tonnage
23,732
Length
664ft (202.7m)
Beam
84ft (25.6m)
Draught
30ft (9.1m)
Propulsion
Six Parsons S.R.G. steam turbines (28,000 SHP)
Speed
20 knots
Passenger Capacity
Initially 527 first class & 453 tourist class; later 1,094 tourist class
Crew
560
Passenger Decks
7
Screws
Twin
SS Stratheden: Passenger Liner and WWII Troopship, 1937-1969
A striking black and white photograph of the SS Stratheden, a 23,732-ton passenger liner built by Vickers Armstrongs in England. The vessel is shown in profile, displaying its elegant white hull with numerous portholes, prominent single funnel, and multiple deck levels. The ship's name "STRATHEDEN" is clearly visible on its bow. The photograph captures the vessel's impressive scale and classic ocean liner design of the late 1930s.
SS Stratheden: Passenger Liner and WWII Troopship, 1937-1969
SS Stratheden: Post-War Migrant Ship to Australia, 1937-1969
A black and white photograph of the SS Stratheden, a 23,732-ton passenger liner, at sea. The vessel features multiple decks, two prominent masts with signal flags, and a distinctive single funnel. Her clean white hull displays numerous portholes along its length, characteristic of passenger liners of the era.
SS Stratheden: Post-War Migrant Ship to Australia, 1937-1969
SS Stratheden in Sydney Harbour with Harbour Bridge Visible, Post-WWII
A black and white photograph of the SS Stratheden, a 23,732-ton passenger liner, moored in Sydney Harbour. The iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge is visible in the background. The white-hulled vessel displays classic ocean liner design with multiple decks, a single funnel, and clear passenger accommodation levels. Small harbour vessels can be seen alongside the ship.
SS Stratheden in Sydney Harbour with Harbour Bridge Visible, Post-WWII
SS Stratheden in Port with Local Vessels, 1937
A colour painting depicting the passenger ship SS Stratheden at anchor, surrounded by smaller sailing vessels and boats in a busy harbour. The 23,732-ton vessel is shown in its pristine white livery against a striking sunset sky with turquoise waters. Small local boats with distinctive sailing rigs dot the foreground, while other commercial vessels can be seen in the background. Steam rises dramatically from the ship's yellow funnel.
SS Stratheden in Port with Local Vessels, 1937
SS Stratheden: Passenger Liner and World War II Troopship, 1937-1969
A sepia-toned photograph of the SS Stratheden, a 23,732-ton passenger liner, at sea. The vessel features a classic ocean liner profile with a single funnel, multiple passenger decks, and clean white hull. Built in 1937 by Vickers Armstrongs in England, the ship is captured in a port-side view showing its impressive scale and elegant design typical of pre-war passenger vessels.
SS Stratheden: Passenger Liner and World War II Troopship, 1937-1969
SS Stratheden Ocean Liner, 1960
A text caption describing the TS Stratheden, a passenger ship built in 1938. The caption, photographed in 1960, details the vessel's service history including its regular voyages to Australia and New Zealand, its use as a troop transport in 1946-47, and its eventual sale to Greece in 1964.