RMS Duke of Argyll (1928)

RMS Duke of Argyll was an Irish Sea ferry that operated from 1928 to 1956. William Denny and Brothers of Dumbarton on the Firth of Clyde built her for the London Midland and Scottish Railway. When the LMS was nationalised in 1948 she passed to the British Transport Commission.[1]

Duke of Argyll
History
NameRMS Duke of Argyll
Owner
Operator
  • 1928–47: London Midland and Scottish Railway
  • 1948–56: British Transport Commission
Port of registryUnited Kingdom Lancaster
Route1928–56: HeyshamBelfast
BuilderWilliam Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton
Yard number1194
Launched23 January 1928
FateScrapped 7 November 1956
General characteristics
TypeTurbine steam ship
Tonnage
  • 3,604 GRT
  • tonnage under deck 1,998
  • 1,493 NRT
Length
  • 349.1 ft (106.4 m) p/p
  • 360 ft (110 m) o/a
Beam53.1 ft (16.2 m)
Depth18.5 ft (5.6 m)
Installed power1,628 NHP
Propulsion4 steam turbines; twin screws
Speed21 knots (39 km/h)
Capacity1,500 day passengers; overnight cabins for 450 passengers; space for 250 cattle

History

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The LMS ordered Duke of Argyll and two sister ships, RMS Duke of Lancaster and RMS Duke of Rothesay, for its passenger ferry route between Heysham and Belfast.[1] William Denny and Brothers of Dumbarton built her, completing her in April 1928.

In the Second World War Duke of Argyll became Hospital Ship 65. She assisted the Dunkirk evacuation (Operation Dynamo) in May 1940[citation needed] and then the evacuation from Cherbourg the following month (Operation Aerial).[2]

Replacement

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In 1956 the BTC replaced Duke of Argyll with TSS Duke of Argyll[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Clegg & Styring 1962, p. 55.
  2. ^ Morling, p. 226.
  3. ^ Clegg & Styring 1962, p. 111.

Sources

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  • Clegg, W Paul; Styring, John S (1962). Steamers of British Railways and Associate Companies. Prescot: T Stephenson & Sons. pp. 55, 111.
  • Col L.F. Morling, Sussex Sappers: A History of the Sussex Volunteer and Territorial Army Royal Engineer Units from 1890 to 1967, Seaford: 208th Field Co, RE/Christians–W.J. Offord, 1972.