Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

World War 1, Middle East, HMAT A35 Berrima, 1918

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1918

Subcollections

His Majesty's Australian Transports (HMAT) 1899 - 1946

Overview

View of SS "Berrima" His Majesties Army Transport "A 35"

Historical information

Built for Lund's Blue Anchor Line emigrant service. Could carry 350 third class passengers. In 1914 Berrima was requisitioned by the RAN and on 17 Aug 1914 commissioned as an auxiliary cruiser following a six day conversion at Cockatoo island Drydock that saw accommodation created in her holds for 1,500 men and provision of armament. Following her involvement in the capture of Rabaul, capital of German New Guinea, she returned to Sydney where she was decommissioned on 20 Oct 1914 and converted converted to a troop transport. Leased by the Commonwealth until 10 Oct 1917, during which time she made 5 trips carrying troops to war. She had been a member of the second convoy from Albany to Egypt. Management was then transferred to the British Admiralty.

18 February 1917, Struck by a torpedo from U Boat U84 when 50 miles West of Portland Bill, with the loss of four lives. The majority of the crew were evacuated in the lifeboats and were picked up by the destroyer HMS Forester. A line was subsequently connected to the tug Pilot, and Berrima was towed into Portland Harbour the next day. In the absence of a dry dock she was repaired while still afloat with a 42 ton wooden patch built in three sections on the quayside, after which she was requisitioned by the Shipping Controller for the Atlantic stores and munitions ferry. On completion of war duty, she resumed normal service

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-P1997.103.1z

Item type

Photographs

Themes

War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 1

Year

1918

Geotag

50.473794535432, -2.9926690043813

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