Built as a passenger- cargo liner under yard no 247 by Caird and Co., Greenock for the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O).
06 Oct. 1888 launched under the name PENINSULAR, named after the first part of the Company’s name, to mark its Golden Jubilee in 1887, a sister ship was named ORIENTAL.
Tonnage 5.294 gross, 3.048 net, dim. 410.5 x 48.0 x 34.3 ft.
One triple expansion three-cylinder steam engine manufactured by the shipbuilder, 6.000 ihp., speed 15 knots.
Passenger accommodation for 170 first, 96 second class.
She was designed for the liner service of the company between the U.K. and India and Far East.
17 Nov. 1888, registered and on 21 Nov. 1888 she ran trials.
She made two round voyages to Australia, after the CHINA of the same company ran aground on Perim Island in the Red Sea, the time to refloat the vessel and repair her, the PENINSULAR took over her service. The PENINSULAR sailed for the first voyage on 06 May 1898 from London and via Colombo to Melbourne and Sydney.
1904 Refitted and modernized.
11 August 1909 sold for £9.312 to Fratelli Bruzzo, Italy for scrap, and she arrived at 26 August 1909 at Genoa for scrapping.
Great Britain 1974 3½p sg954, scott720.
P&O A Fleet History, World Ship Society. North Star to Southern Cross by John M Maber.