MV Royal Daffodil (1939) History and War Contributions

The MV Royal Daffodil was a British passenger ship that played a significant role in World War II. It was built in 1939 by the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company in Govan, Scotland.

The Royal Daffodil was primarily used for transporting troops and supplies. It was designed to carry over 1,000 passengers and had a crew of around 200.

In 1940, the Royal Daffodil was involved in the Dunkirk evacuation, helping to rescue thousands of Allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk.

During World War II, Royal Daffodil played a significant role in the evacuation of troops and civilians. She was initially used to carry 4,000 women and children from London and the Thames Estuary to East Anglia.

Royal Daffodil was then used to carry troops of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) from Southampton to Cherbourg, a duty she continued until October 1939. She was placed on standby to evacuate the BEF in May 1940.

Royal Daffodil participated in the Dunkirk evacuation, rescuing 9,500 men in seven trips. She also survived a bomb attack on June 2, 1940, which caused significant damage but allowed her to make it safely to Ramsgate.

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The average soldier saw 20-30 days of combat in a single year, with some units experiencing even more. This constant exposure to danger took a toll on their mental and physical health.

Soldiers had to adapt quickly to new situations, often without proper training or equipment. They learned to improvise with what they had, using makeshift tools and tactics to survive.

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Royal Daffodil played a significant role in the war effort, evacuating over 9,500 men from Dunkirk in seven trips as part of Operation Dynamo.

She was also used to carry troops of the British Expeditionary Force from Southampton to Cherbourg, a duty she performed from September 1939 until October that year.

One of the most impressive feats of Royal Daffodil's wartime service was her ability to survive a bomb that passed straight through her and exploded under her, causing a hole in the starboard side, but she made it safely to Ramsgate and disembarked the evacuees.

During the war, she ran between Stranraer and Larne, carrying military personnel, and later between Dover and Calais, and between Newhaven and Dieppe, until January 1947.

In total, Royal Daffodil is estimated to have carried almost 2,444,000 service personnel and covered some 170,000 NM (310,000 km; 200,000 mi) during her wartime service.

The MV Royal Daffodil was a 7,700-ton passenger ship built in 1939. It was designed to carry over 1,000 passengers.

The ship was 527 feet long and had a gross tonnage of 7,700 tons. This made it a significant vessel in its time.

The Royal Daffodil was powered by a single screw and had a top speed of 18 knots.

Official Numbers were used as a precursor to IMO Numbers, serving a similar purpose.

The UK Official Number 167210 was assigned to Royal Daffodil, which also used the Code Letters GSGL.

Royal Daffodil was allocated the IMO number 5530130 later in its life.

Official Numbers and IMO Numbers both identify a ship uniquely, but they are distinct systems.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is responsible for ship registration and classification.

Ship registration is a process where a ship is officially registered with a country's flag state. The flag state is responsible for ensuring the ship complies with international safety and security regulations.

A ship's classification is determined by its gross tonnage, which is calculated by multiplying its length, breadth, and depth. The gross tonnage of a ship determines its classification into different categories.

The IMO has established a system of ship classification, which includes categories such as passenger ships, cargo ships, and tankers. Ship classification is important for determining the ship's safety and efficiency.

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