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It was
decided to replace the aging 1921 built *
She
was to become the best mail-ship to be built for Union-Castle and she was the
fastest of the fleet, due to the decision by the company to upgrade her
machinery. She was also the first mail-ship to have stabilizers, which
required a lengthening of the hull from 748 to 764 feet whilst on the stocks.
Above and
below: The Pendennis Castle is seen just having been launched on November 4,
1958
She departed on her maiden voyage on January 1,
1959, under the command of Commodore George Mayhew. Ports of call were as
follows: Southampton,
A
fine stern view of the ship whilst berthed at
With the introduction in 1961 of the new Union
Castle liner it was the RMS Transvaal Castle that became famed for being the
*first British liner to carry waitresses, known as *“stewardettes”
in the dinning rooms
*Please see a Note regarding
*“stewardettes” at the bottom of the page.
An early Union-CASTLE Line postcard
Union-Castle Line announced in
July 1964 that air-conditioning would be extended to include all first class
cabins. In addition a further 21 cabins had showers fitted.
Then in May 1968, whilst berthed
in Southampton, a fire broke out, damaging some accommodations amidships,
however, she was able to sail on with Harland and Wolf workers onboard who
continued to repair the damage.
Due to the ever changing
conditions, it was decided in 1976 to withdraw her and place her on the market.
She made her final sailing from
Specifications
Tonnage: 28,582
Length: 764 ft
Engines: Steam:
Screws: Twin
Breadth 83ft 6in Draft: 84ft
Service
speed: 22.5 knots
Air-conditioning: Partial
Passengers: 670 total
Her Final few years:
She was sold to Filipino owned
“Ocean Queen Navigation Corp.” She parted for
The
spotless SS Sinbad I - is seen here still in lay up
She remained laid up in
This fine liner
saw 17 years of dignified service as a mail-ship, after which she was laid up
for four years. However, to see a passenger liner, still in top condition,
being broken up being just 21 years old seemed to be a crime.
A fine view of a magnificent ship!
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Thank you
*In my original
article I wrote, as did Laurence Dunn in his books “Passengers
Liners” volumes One & Two, that Pendennis Castle was the first ship
of the fleet to have waitresses, but, I have received many emails from ex crew
members and one “Stewardette” saying this is wrong and that the
Transvaal Castle was actually the first ship to have them. If there are any
further comments re this I would appreciate them, for originally I took the
said information from a
However, it seems that there is
much dispute regarding this from the folk in S/Africa, and whatever the case,
well she at least had Stewardettes! The English folk have never written re
this, and let’s remember that thankfully they were English ships and
certainly not S/African! It has only been S/African writers, and I need to say
this, have attacked me in a most VILE WAY, and have been extremely rude to say
the least! They certainly do their country and reputation no favours whatsoever
for I do not tolerate extreme rudeness! Thankfully I do know some delightful
South African’s from Europeans and Black African background and they are
the backbone of the land, not these hideous foul mouthed cretins! I am sorry,
but this statement needed to be made.
**************************************
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*
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Commenced
in the passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960
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