Ship Summary

Vessel

Masters

Journey

Arrive Date

Saturday, October 12, 1940

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Travelled (aged 17) with my sister Audrey (15 yrs) as unaccompanied children to join parents living in Lahore, India. I believe it may have been the last ship to take children back to their homes. Since cabins were allocated alphabetically we were surprised to be in a first class cabin complete with shower, beds and porthole. Many children were kept occupied by the amazing ship's officers. The First Officer even stayed late until we were collected by my father and allowed to disembark at Karachi. I believe this was on the 15th September 1940. We were followed around the Bay of Biscay by a submarine and all had to congregate in the Dining Hall in case of an abandon ship issue. We diverted towards the coast of Ireland to shake off the persistent sub. We started off as part of a convoy but because Stratheden was so much faster than the other ships we were given permission to 'fend for ourselves'. We were allowed to have a short visit off the ship in South Africa and warned sternly to return when the hooter sounded as the ship would not wait for us.

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