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RMS Parthia (1947)

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RMS Parthia
History
United Kingdom
NameRMS Parthia
OwnerCunard Line
Port of registryLiverpool,  United Kingdom.
RouteLiverpool - New York.
BuilderHarland and Wolff, Belfast
Yard number1331
Launched25 February 1947
CompletedApril 1948
Maiden voyage10 April 1948
In service1948–1961
Out of serviceSold to New Zealand Shipping Company in 1961
United Kingdom
NameSS Remuera
OwnerNew Zealand Shipping Co.
Port of registryLondon,  United Kingdom
RouteLondon - Auckland NZ
AcquiredNovember 1961
Maiden voyageJune 1962
In service1962–1964
Out of serviceSold to Eastern & Australian Steamship Company in 1964
Australia
NameSS Aramac
OwnerEastern & Australian Steamship Company
RouteMelbourne-Yokohama
Maiden voyageFebruary 1965
In service1965–1969
Out of service1969
FateScrapped in Taiwan in 1969-70
General characteristics
TypeCargo liner
Tonnage
  • As built
  • 13,362 GRT
  • 1962
  • 13,619 GRT
Length531.4 ft (162.0 m)
Beam70.3 ft (21.4 m)
Draught46 ft (14 m)
Decks8
Installed power15,000 shp (11,000 kW)
Propulsion
Speed18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph)
Capacity
  • As built
  • 251 1st class
  • 1962
  • 350 one class.

RMS Parthia was the second of two all first class transatlantic passenger cargo liners built for the Cunard Line. She later served on the London to Auckland route for the New Zealand Shipping Company under the name Remuera, and still later as a Pacific cruise ship under the name Aramac. She was scrapped in 1969–70.[1][2]

History

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Originally conceived as cargo ships for the Cunard Line subsidiary - Brocklebank Line, RMS Parthia and her sister RMS Media were completed as transatlantic passenger cargo ships that served the Cunard Line on its Liverpool to New York route from 1948 until 1961. Smaller and somewhat slower than the great express liners, Parthia acquired a reputation for informal elegance and comfort that made her a favourite with many of the travelling public. Among the celebrities who frequently sailed with the ship or her sister ship RMS Media, was the film star Katharine Hepburn.[2] As originally constructed the ship had four passenger decks and included all of the normal amenities expected by her 251 all first class passengers, including stylish lounges, a cocktail bar, library, and spacious staterooms. The limited number of passengers also meant more shipboard space for promenading and other activities which in turn contributed to a more relaxed ambiance.[2] Unfortunately, Parthia and Media were poor sea boats and were eventually fitted with Denny-Brown stabilisers, Media in 1952 and Parthia in 1954, the first transatlantic liners to be so fitted[3]

With the arrival of the 1960s however, commercial jet planes began to dominate the transatlantic passenger trade and steamship companies increasingly found it difficult to compete. On 16 October 1961 Parthia was withdrawn from service after her final arrival at Liverpool. She was purchased for £705,000 by the P&O group, largely it was thought to prevent her falling into the hands of a competitor as had happened to the Media.[4] P&O allocated the ship to its New Zealand Shipping Company subsidiary which employed the ship, renamed SS Remuera, on the London to Auckland New Zealand route.[1][2] The ship was refitted at the Alexander Stephen shipyard on the Clyde as a one class ship for 350 passengers, replacing the 33-year-old Rangitiki and Rangitata. Again however, the ship was a financial millstone to her owners, being a steamship in a fleet of motor ships. In 1964 P&O transferred her to another subsidiary, the Eastern and Australian Steamship Company.[1][2] Renamed Aramac the ship was converted for cruising and served in this capacity until 1969 when she was definitively withdrawn from service and sold for scrap which was completed in Taiwan in 1970.[1][2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Cairis, Nicholas T. (1979). Passenger Liners of the World Since 1893. Bonanza Books. pp. 47. ISBN 0517-28875-3.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "RMS Parthia". SSMaritime.com. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  3. ^ Vernon-Gibbs, Western Ocean Passenger Lines and Liners 1934-1969
  4. ^ Cooke, Liners and Cruise Ships - 3
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RMS Parthia on Chris' Cunard Page: https://www.chriscunard.com/history-fleet/cunard-fleet/1930-1960/parthia/