1 Air Division

SS Arkadia - Assorted Sources


The "MONARCH OF BERMUDA" was built by Vickers-Armstrong Shipbuilders Ltd, Walker-on-Tyne (ship order #1) (engines by Fraser & Chalmers, Erich (turbines), and by General Electric Co Ltd, Birmingham (motors)), for Furness, Withy & Co's New York-Bermuda service, and launched on 17 March 1931. 22,424 gross tons; 579 x 76 feet (length x breadth), 3 funnels, 2 masts, cruiser stern; steam turboelectric engines, quadruple screw, service speed 19 knots; acccommodation for 799 passengers in 1st class, 31 in 2nd class; crew of 456. 1931-1939, New York-Bermuda. November 1939-1946, troopship. 24 May 1947, burned out at Hebburn-on-Tyne while being reconditioned for return to passenger service. Although declared a total loss, the wreck was reappraised and then purchased by the Ministry of Transport, who had her rebuilt by Thornycroft in Southampton as an emigrant ship; 20,256 tons; 553.2 x 76.7 feet; 1 funnel; 1600 passengers in one class. 1949, renamed NEW AUSTRALIA. 15 August 1950, first voyage, Southampton-Sydney, managed by the Shaw Savill Line.

The ship was sold to the Greek Line in January 1958, and renamed ARKADIA (registered in the name of the Arcadia Steamship Co); rebuilt and modernized by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg; 20,259 tons; forpeak extended to provide a curved stem, length 590 feet; foremast replaced by two king-posts; 150 passengers in 1st class, 1150 in tourist class. 22 May 1958, first voyage, Bremerhaven-Cherbourg-Liverpool-Greenock- Quebec-Montreal. 17 June 1958, first voyage, Bremerhaven-Southampton- Cherbourg-Cobh-Quebec-Montreal. 1961, further refitting by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg; 20,648 tons; 50 passengers in 1st class, 1337 in tourist class. 16 August 1966, last voyage, Bremerhaven-Amsterdam-London-Havre-Cobh-Quebec-Montreal (departed 26 August). November 1966, laid up in River Fal. 18 December 1966, arrived at Valencia, Spain, for scrapping.



Click on the description text to view the photograph.
  1. Passage Contract Ticket - 7 December 1960.
    Courtesy Fred Lawson.

  2. Passage Contract Ticket - 14 November 1960.
    Courtesy Fred Lawson.

  3. SS Arkadia - June 1959.
    Courtesy Bob Jackson.

  4. SS Arkadia - June 1959.
    Courtesy Bob Jackson.

  5. SS Arkadia - June 1959.
    Courtesy Bob Jackson.



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Updated: April 20, 2003