MV Carnarvon Castle From Maiden Voyage to Retirement

The MV Carnarvon Castle had a long and storied career, spanning over three decades. Its maiden voyage took place in 1968, marking the beginning of an era of service that would see it traverse the world's oceans.

The ship was initially used for passenger and cargo transportation, a role it performed with reliability and efficiency. Its size and capacity made it an ideal vessel for this purpose.

From 1968 to 2001, the MV Carnarvon Castle operated under the ownership of various companies, including the P&O Cruises and the Chandris Lines.

A fresh viewpoint: MV RMS Mulheim

The MV Carnarvon Castle has a rich history that spans several decades. It was built in 1948 by the British India Steam Navigation Company.

The ship was originally designed to transport passengers and cargo between the UK and India. It was a significant vessel in its time, serving as a symbol of British colonial power.

The Carnarvon Castle made its maiden voyage in 1949, marking the beginning of its long and storied career.

Farewell 1962, a year that marked the end of an era for Carnarvon Castle. The ship was laid up in 1962, a fate that awaited many vessels of its time.

The master, F J Pye, was in charge during this period, from August to September 1962. This was a significant change, as the ship had been under the command of W S Byles from December 1961 to June 1962.

Here's a list of the masters of Carnarvon Castle in 1962:

It's worth noting that the ship's history is a long and storied one, with many notable events and changes over the years. But for now, let's focus on the end of an era, marked by the ship's layup in 1962.

Carnarvon Castle was built by Harland and Wolff, Belfast and launched on 14 January 1926. She was completed on 26 June 1926 and entered service for the Union-Castle Line.

She was the first of the Union-Castle mail ships to exceed 20,000 tons and was the first motor ship to be used on the sailings between Britain and the Cape of Good Hope. Her original design featured two squat funnels, with the foremost being a dummy.

After serving on the route until 1936, Carnarvon Castle required a refit and was reworked by her original builders between 1937 and 1938.

Carnarvon Castle was built by Harland and Wolff, Belfast and launched on 14 January 1926.

She was completed on 26 June 1926 and entered service for the Union-Castle Line. Her impressive size made her a notable vessel, as she was the first of the Union-Castle mail ships to exceed 20,000 tons.

She had two squat funnels, the foremost being a dummy. This unique design feature was a distinctive aspect of her appearance.

She served on the route until 1936, when a revised contract to carry the mails required a speed of at least 19 kn (35 km/h; 22 mph).

Carnarvon Castle was requisitioned by the Royal Navy on 8 September 1939, at the outbreak of the Second World War.

She was converted to an armed merchant cruiser and commissioned as HMS Carnarvon Castle on 9 October 1939, sailing into the South Atlantic.

The German auxiliary cruiser Thor was encountered on 5 December 1940, resulting in a five-hour running battle that left Carnarvon Castle heavily damaged with 27 hits, 4 dead, and 27 wounded.

Thor was reportedly undamaged in the encounter, while Carnarvon Castle put into Montevideo for repairs, salvaging steel plate from the German cruiser Admiral Graf Spee.

Carnarvon Castle's career as an armed merchant cruiser ended in December 1943, after which she underwent a conversion to a troopship at New York City in 1944.

She remained on trooping duties after the war and was finally released from naval service in March 1947, returning to her original owners.

The ship was refitted by Harland and Wolff in early 1949, resuming service on 15 June 1950, and served until her retirement and sale.

MV Carnarvon Castle was launched at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1926. This was a significant event in the history of ocean liners.

The ship was named after a medieval fortress in northwestern Wales, specifically Carnarvon Castle, which dates back to the 11th century and was completed in 1283.

MV Carnarvon Castle was the first Union-Castle mail ship to exceed 20,000 tons, with a capacity of about 1,500 passengers and crew.