AmanGautamArtist: adding first entry initial version

2025-12-14T20:48:52Z

adding first entry initial version

New page

{{short description|British passenger ship}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox ship
|section1={{Infobox ship/image
|image=
|image_caption=
}}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career
|hide_header=
|country= United Kingdom
|flag= {{Shipboxflag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|name= ''Sirdhana''
|namesake= [[Sardhana|Sirdhana]]
|owner= [[British India Steam Navigation Company|British India SN Co]]
|operator= 1971: [[P&O]] General Cargo Division
|registry= [[Port of London|London]]
|route= *1948: [[Port of Kolkata|Calcutta]] – [[Port of Yokohama|Yokohama]]
*1962: [[Mumbai Harbour|Bombay]] – [[Port of Basra|Basra]]
|ordered=
|builder= [[Swan Hunter|Swan, Hunter & W Richardson]], [[Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne|Low Walker]]
|original_cost= £1,116,000
|yard_number= 1826
|laid_down=
|launched= 8 January 1947
|sponsor=
|completed= 9 December 1947
|maiden_voyage=
|refit= 1955
|identification= *UK [[official number]] 181791
*[[Maritime call sign|call sign]] GCLD
*{{ICS|Golf}}{{ICS|Charlie}}{{ICS|Lima}}{{ICS|Delta}}
|fate= Scrapped, 1972
|notes=
}}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics
|hide_header=
|header_caption=
|class= "S" class [[passenger ship]]
|tonnage= {{GRT|8608}}, {{NRT|5057}}, {{DWT|8827}}
|displacement=
|length= *{{cvt|479.3|ft|abbr=on}} [[Length overall|overall]]
*{{cvt|459.0|ft|abbr=on}} registered
|beam= {{cvt|62.7|ft|abbr=on}}
|draught= {{cvt|26|ft|4|in|abbr=on|2}}
|depth= {{cvt|31.3|ft|abbr=on}}
|decks= 2
|power= {{cvt|5900|bhp|lk=in}}
|propulsion= *2 × [[Two-stroke diesel engine|2-stroke diesel engines]]
*2 × [[Propeller|screws]]
|speed= {{convert|15|kn|km/h}}
|capacity= *'''cargo:''' {{convert|410075|cuft|0}}, including {{convert|11245|cuft|0}} [[Reefer ship|insulated]]
*'''passengers:'''
*'''1947:''' 21 1st class, 70 2nd class, 2,355 deck class
*'''1955:''' 21 1st class, 32 2nd class, 30 intermediate class, 333 bunked class, 987 deck class
|troops=
|crew=
|complement=
|sensors= *as built: wireless [[direction finding]], [[echo sounding]] device
*by 1958: [[Marine radar|radar]]
|notes= [[sister ship]]s: ''Sangola'', ''Santhia''
}}
}}

'''MV ''Sirdhana''''' was a [[motor ship]] that was launched in England in 1947, worked regular routes in the [[Indian Ocean]] and the [[Far East]], and was scrapped in [[Taiwan]] in 1972. She was one of three ships of the [[British India Steam Navigation Company]] (BI) post-war "S" class.

This was the third BI ship to be called ''Sirdhana'', after the town of [[Sardhana|Sirdhana]], near [[Meerut]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]].{{sfn|Laxon|Perry|1994|p=245}} The first was a [[barquentine]]-rigged [[steamship]] that was built in 1879 and scrapped in 1911.{{sfn|Haws|1987|p=59}} The second was a steamship that was built in 1925 and sunk in 1939.{{sfn|Haws|1987|p=145}}

==Building==
One of BI's scheduled passenger and cargo routes was between [[Port of Kolkata|Calcutta]] and [[Port of Yokohama|Yokohama]]. Its regular ports of call were Rangoon (now [[Yangon]]), [[Port of Penang|Penang]], [[Port of Singapore|Singapore]], [[British Hong Kong|Hong Kong]], and [[Port of Kobe|Kobe]].<ref name=Larsson>{{cite web |url= https://timetableimages.com/maritime/images/bi.htm |title=British India Steam Navigation Co. - B.I. |work=marine timetable images |publisher=Björn Larsson |access-date=14 January 2024}}</ref> It was called the "Apcar Route", as it was founded by [[Apcar and Company]], which BI had taken over in 1912.<ref name=Goossens>{{cite web |url= http://ssmaritime.com/British-India-Trio.htm |last=Goossens |first=Reuben |title=The "S Class Trio |work=ssmaritime |access-date=15 January 2024}}</ref>

In 1947 BI took delivery of a pair of new S-class [[passenger-cargo liner]]s for this route. [[Barclay Curle|Barclay, Curle and Company]] at [[Whiteinch]], [[Glasgow]] built ''Sangola'', launching her on 23 December 1946 and delivering her on 6 June 1947.{{sfn|Laxon|Perry|1994|p=184-185}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Clyde Launch |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000540/19461224/114/0006 |url-access=subscription |access-date=16 January 2024 |work=The Scotsman |place=Edinburgh |issue=32316 |date=24 December 1946 |page=6|via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> [[Swan Hunter|Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson]] at [[Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne|Low Walker]] built her [[sister ship]] ''Sirdhana'', launching her on 8 January and delivering her on 9 December.<ref name=P&OH>{{cite web |url= https://www.poheritage.com/Upload/Mimsy/Media/factsheet/94490SIRDHANA-1947pdf.pdf |title=Sirdhana (1947) |work=Ship Fact Sheet |publisher=P&O Heritage |date=October 2009 |access-date=14 January 2024}}</ref> In 1950 a third sister joined them, when Barclay, Curle launched ''Santhia'' on 1 June and completed her on 3 November.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.poheritage.com/Upload/Mimsy/Media/factsheet/94436SANTHIA-1950pdf.pdf |title=Santhia (1950) |work=Ship Fact Sheet |publisher=P&O Heritage |date=November 2009 |access-date=14 January 2024}}</ref>

Swan, Hunter built ''Sirdhana'' at [[Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne|Low Walker]] on the [[River Tyne]] as yard number 1826. She cost £1,116,000.<ref name=P&OH/> Her lengths were {{cvt|479.3|ft|abbr=on}} [[Length overall|overall]] and {{cvt|459.0|ft|abbr=on}} registered. Her [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] was {{cvt|62.7|ft|abbr=on}}, her depth was {{cvt|31.3|ft|abbr=on}} and her [[Draft (hull)|draught]] was {{cvt|26|ft|4|in|abbr=on|2}}.{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1948|loc=SIR}} ''Sirdhana''{{'}}s holds had capacity for {{convert|410075|cuft|0}} of cargo, including {{convert|11245|cuft|0}} [[Reefer ship|insulated]]. Her [[tonnage]]s were {{GRT|8608}}, {{NRT|5057}}, and {{DWT|8827}}. She had berths for 21 passengers in first class and 70 in second class, and was licensed to carry 2,355 unberthed passengers on deck.<ref name=P&OH/>

''Sirdhana'' had twin [[Propeller|screws]], each driven by a [[William Doxford & Sons|Doxford]] [[Single- and double-acting cylinders|single-acting]] four-cylinder [[two-stroke diesel engine]].{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1948|loc=SIR}} Between them her twin engines developed {{cvt|5900|bhp|lk=in}}. She made {{convert|15|kn|km/h}} on her [[sea trial]]s, and could cruise at {{convert|14|kn|km/h}}.<ref name=P&OH/> As built, ''Sirdhana''{{'}}s navigation equipment included wireless [[direction finding]], and an [[echo sounding]] device.{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1948|loc=SIR}} By 1958 it also included [[Marine radar|radar]].{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1958|loc=SIR WILLIAM MATTHEWS}}

BI [[Ship registration|registered]] ''Sirdhana'' at [[Port of London|London]]. Her UK [[official number]] was 181791 and her [[Maritime call sign|call sign]] was GCLD.{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1948|loc=SIR}}

==Career==
In 1948 ''Sirdhana'' entered service, joining ''Sangola'' on the "Apcar Route". They were joined by ''Santhia'' in 1950.

In 1955 ''Sirdhana''{{'}}s passenger accommodation was refitted. The number of first class berths remained the same, but second class was reduced to 32 berths, and a new intermediate class with 30 berths was created. Her unberthed deck class capacity was reduced to 987, and a new bunked class was created with 333 berths.<ref name=P&OH/> Until 1955, ''Sirdhana''{{'}}s hull had been black with a white waistline. In the refit, it was repainted white with a black waistline.<ref name=Goossens/>

[[File:USS General William Mitchell (AP-114) moored at Pavuvu, Russell Islands, in November 1944 (26-G-4111).jpg|thumb|{{USS|General William Mitchell}} collided with ''Sirdhana'' in 1960]]
On 26 November 1960 the [[troopship]] {{USS|General William Mitchell}} accidentally rammed ''Sirdhana'' [[Glossary of nautical terms (A–L)#A|amidships]] at the inner breakwater in the [[Port of Yokohama]].<ref name=Goossens/>{{sfn|Laxon|Perry|1994|p=184-186}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Ships in Collision |url= https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19601126/577/0032 |work=Liverpool Echo |date=26 November 1960 |issue=25186 |page=32 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription}}</ref> There were no casualties, but ''Sirdhana''{{'}}s side was gashed amidships, from her boat deck down to her waterline.<ref name=P&OH/> ''Sirdhana'' spent the next five months in Yokohama getting repaired. She returned to service in May 1961.<ref name=Goossens/>

Trade on the "Apcar Route" was declining. In 1962 BI transferred ''Sangola'' and ''Sirdhana'' to its route between [[Mumbai Harbour|Bombay]] and [[Port of Basra|Basra]],{{sfn|Haws|1987|p=162}} which was still busy carrying migrant workers between the [[Indian subcontinent]] and the [[Persian Gulf]]. In April 1961 this route had lost one of its ships, when {{MV|Dara||2}} suffered an explosion, burnt out, and sank off [[Dubai]].{{sfn|Haws|1987|p=161}} The regular ports of call on this route were [[Port of Karachi|Karachi]], [[Port of Pasni|Pasni]], [[Gwadar Port|Gwadur]], [[Muscat]], [[Bandar Abbas]], [[Sharjah]], Dubai, [[Mesaieed|Umm Said]], [[Bahrain]], [[Bushehr]], [[Kuwait City|Kuwait]], [[Abadan, Iran|Abadan]], and [[Khorramshahr]].<ref name=Larsson/>

On 19 November 1970 ''Sirdhana'' was the first ship the enter the new deep water harbour at [[Mina Rashid|Port Rashid]] in Dubai.<ref name=P&OH/> When she joined the route in 1961, Dubai had no port deep enough for BI's ships to dock alongside a quay. They used to anchor offshore, and [[Ship's tender|tenders]] transferred passengers and officials between the ships and the shore.{{sfn|Abraham|1963|pp=4–6}}

On 1 October 1971 the General Cargo Division of BI's [[parent company]] [[P&O]] was appointed to [[Ship management|manage]] ''Sirdhana''. In 1972 she made three voyages to [[East Africa]], terminating at [[Port of Dar es Salaam|Dar es Salaam]] in [[Tanzania]].<ref name=P&OH/>

On 3 August 1972 BI sold ''Sirdhana'' for scrap to Nan Feng Steel Enterprise Co Ltd in [[Kaohsiung]], [[Taiwan]]. Demolition started on 16 August, and was completed on 2 October.<ref name=P&OH/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last=Abraham |first=PJ |year=1963 |title=Last Hours on Dara |place=London |publisher=[[Peter Llewelyn Davies|Peter Davies]]}}
*{{cite book |last=Haws |first=Duncan |year=1987 |title=British India S.N. Co |series=Merchant Fleets |volume=11 |place=Burwash |publisher=Travel Creatours Ltd Publications |isbn=0-946378-07-X}}
*{{cite book |last1=Laxon |first1=William A. |last2=Perry |first2=F. W. |title=B.I. - The British India Steam Navigation Company Limited |date=1994 |publisher=World Ship Society |location=Kendal |isbn=0-905617-65-7}}
*{{cite book |year=1948 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II. M–Z |place=London |publisher=[[Lloyd's Register]] of Shipping |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1949MZ/page/n557/mode/1up |via=[[Internet Archive]] |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register'' 1948}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1958 |title=Register Book |volume=I Register of Ships |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1959/page/n2254/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register'' 1958}} }}

==External links==
*{{cite web |url= https://www.vsdh.org/bisn/index.htm |title=BISN Co |work=VSDH |publisher=John Sartain Feltham}} – photographs of BI ships, including several of ''Sirdhana'', and one showing damage the caused by USS ''General William Mitchell'' colliding with her.

{{1960 shipwrecks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sirdhana}}

[[Category:1947 ships]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1960]]
[[Category:Merchant ships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Passenger ships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Ships of the British India Steam Navigation Company]]
[[Category:Ships built by Swan Hunter]]

MV Sirdhana - Revision history

AmanGautamArtist: adding first entry initial version