"Berengaria" was built in 1913 as
"Imperator" for the Hamburg America Line. After WW1 she was acquired
by Cunard as their flagship and renamed. She was with Cunard from 1920 until
retired in 1938 after being damaged by fire at New York. She was a very large
liner at 52,000 tons and had a great reputation for luxury, at least in 1st
class.
Built as "Port Kingston" (7,585
tons) in 1904 for Imperial Direct West India Mail Co, the Union Steamship Co of
NZ bought her and renamed her "Tahiti" in 1911. Apparently did
Sydney-Wellington-Raratonga-Tahiti-San Francisco route. She ran down the ferry
"Greycliffe" in Sydney harbour in 1928 with the loss of 20 lives.
Sank south of Raratonga in 1930 after starboard propeller shaft snapped and
holed the hull. All passengers and crew were saved.
"Ormonde" (14,982 tons) built by
Orient Lines in 1918, remaining with the line until she was scrapped in 1952.
Served UK-Australia via Suez. Saw service as troopship in both world wars.
Converted to one-class in 1933.
My thanks to my friend Keith Elvy for the above information, which he obtained from his best sources (no guarantees from either of us).
My thanks to my friend Keith Elvy for the above information, which he obtained from his best sources (no guarantees from either of us).
