‘SS Rohilla’ at Immingham 1913.

From a negative.

‘SS Rohilla’ was ordered in 1905 by the British India Steam Navigation Company from Harland & Wolff Ltd. of Belfast. Here, she is seen at Immingham whilst taking part in naval manoeuvres in the North Sea in 1913. After the outbreak of WW1, she was called up as ‘HMHS Rohilla’ (His Majesty’s Hospital Ship). In 1914, she ran aground off Whitby and broke her back. 146 of the 229 on board survived.

The vessel behind is ‘SS Rewa’, a sister ship from William Denny & Bros at Dumbarton. She was also fitted out for use as a British hospital ship during WW1. In 1918, she was hit and sunk by a torpedo from a German U-boat.