HMS Patia (1914)
| Class overview | |
| Name | HMS Patia (No. 132034) |
|---|---|
| Operators | Elder & Fyffes Line (1913-1914) Royal Navy (1914-1918) |
| Preceded by | Banana passenger boat |
| Succeeded by | Armed Merchant Cruiser (AMC) |
| History | |
| Yard number | (No. 132034) |
| Laid down | 1913 |
| Commissioned | 1914 (Royal Navy) |
| Fate | Sunk (June 13, 1918) |
| General characteristics | |
| Length | 140m |
| Beam | 18m |
| Draught | 5m |
| Installed power | 2x steam engines |
| Armament | 8x 6in QF Mk. 2 2x 6lbs QF Mk. 1 |
| Part of | World War I |
The HMS Patia, originally the SS Patia, was a banana passenger boat that was requisitioned by the U.K. Royal Navy during World War I and was subsequently sunk in action.
Civilian service (1913-1914)
[edit]The vessel was constructed and launched in 1913 for the Elders & Fyffe Line.[1] She was one of many cargo-passenger lines owned by the company, and primarily hauled passengers and fresh fruit between the U.K. and the West Indies, specifically Jamaica, Barbados, and Costa Rica.[2] her original design included 1st and 2nd class passenger quarters and amenities, as well as large refrigerators for fresh produce, chiefly bananas.[3] Her modern steam engines allowed her to make the trip relatively fast in comparison to typical passenger liners. In 1914, she would make two roundtrips between Europe and the Caribbean before being requisitioned for war service shortly after August 1914.
Design for service
[edit]After being requisitioned, she vessel underwent a rapid conversion to an Armed Merchant Cruiser (AMC), with the main change being an enforced superstructure and an armament.[4] Because she was not a typical military vessel, she would keep her pre-war designation of "No. 132034". By 1915, she was fully commissioned and assigned to the North pacific patrol force. Configured for service, she displaced approximately 6,103 tons featuring an 18m beam and 5m draft. She had a top speed of roughly 15 knots, at the time thought to be sufficient in deterring torpedo attacks.[5] Her armament included eight 6-inch DF Mk II guns and two 6-pounder 8 cwt QF Mk I guns. She held roughly 1,600 shells for these guns.[5] These weapons were manned locally, and mainly served to defend from surface threats, rather than submarine warfare or sea-to-shore engagements. Her range was roughly 9,265km before needing a refueling.[5]
Service in WWI
[edit]North Atlantic patrol (1915-1916)
[edit]Following her commissioning, the Patia was sent on patrol in the North Atlantic, scouting German merchant shipping lanes.[1] She partook in the overall blockade against the Central Powers by stopping and inspecting neutral vessel.[6] During her patrols, she stopped over a dozen vessels. There are no documented instances of the vessel utilizing her armament during this time. She would weather numerous Atlantic storms while on patrol.
Atlantic convoy escort and anti-submarine patrols (1916-1918)
[edit]As the threat of U-boats increased in the Atlantic, the Patia's service would change to focus on this growing threat. In early 1916, she was assigned to convoy escort and anti-submarine patrols.[7] Before entering her new role, she was fitted with naval howitzers (7.5in anti-sub mortars), capable of damaging and destroying submarines.[8] She was accompanied by numerous allied destroyers while escorting convoys between France and Canada. Though there are no indications of the vessel destroying an enemy target, she frequently launched her mortars.
Sinking (June 1918)
[edit]The Patia's service would come to a drastic end on June 13, 1918, while escorting a convoy while near the Bristol Channel, roughly 25 miles west of Hartland Point. While off the coast of Britain, she was struck amidship by a torpedo fired by UB-48 captained by Wolfgang Steinbauer. She sunk in a matter of minutes, though a majority of the crew was able to escape to lifeboats and be subsequently rescued by other ships of the convoy. The location of her wreck is known, and her makers plaque has reportedly been recovered.[9]
Legacy
[edit]The wreck continues to be an interest to maritime historians and technologists.[9] Her conversion and deployment are emblematic of the military's need for civilian assets. Another vessel would take the same name after being requisitioned during World War 2 and would also subsequently sink.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Workman Clark ships in the Great War". The Belfast Shipyard. Retrieved 2025-07-16.
- ^ "Banana boat | Patois Definition on Jamaican Patwah". Jamaican Patwah. Retrieved 2025-07-16.
- ^ "121114: SS/HMS Patia 132034 – Hebridean Connections". hebrideanconnections.com. Retrieved 2025-07-16.
- ^ "Armed Merchant Cruisers - Allied Warships of WWII - uboat.net". uboat.net. Retrieved 2025-07-16.
- ^ a b c "HMS Patia, armed merchant cruiser - British warships of World War 1". www.naval-history.net. Retrieved 2025-07-16.
- ^ Fermin, Margaret (2019-11-06). "British Blockade of Germany in WW1". History. Retrieved 2025-07-16.
- ^ "H.M.S. Patia (1913) - The Dreadnought Project". www.dreadnoughtproject.org. Archived from the original on 2025-03-27. Retrieved 2025-07-16.
- ^ "HMS Patia in the Great War - The Wartime Memories Project -". wartimememoriesproject.com. Retrieved 2025-07-16.
- ^ a b "Bristol Channel". Wreck of the Week. 2018-06-13. Retrieved 2025-07-16.
- ^ Divernet (2022-09-20). "Wreck Tour 108: HMS Patia". divernet.com. Retrieved 2025-07-16.