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India's 6 annas stamp of 1937 depicts the well-known Strathnaver, built in 1931 by Vickers¬Armstrongs Ltd., at Barrow-in-Furness, where her sister-ship Strathaird was constructed in 1932. Twin-screw, turbo-electric vessels with a speed of 20 knots, they were a new departure from the company's fleet when they made their appearance, with white hulls and buff-coloured funnels replacing the black hulls and funnels and buff upperworks. Two of the three funnels were dummies, only the middle one being used for boiler gases. The two dummies were removed from the vessels after the war when they were being reconverted to passenger vessels after serving as troopships during hostilities.
After the Second World War the Strathnaver emerged from her refit with accommodation for 567 first-and 456 tourist-class passengers and resumed service in the Australian trade. The removal of two of her funnels undoubtedly improved her appearance but even so her proportions do not compare with those of her consort—the Stratheden, a vessel designed with one funnel.
Sea Breezes December 1955 Ernest Argyle.

Chamba SG91 Gwalior SG111 India SG256 Jind SG118 Kuwait SG44 Nabha SG86 Patiala SG89

02 Oct. 1931, sailed for her maiden voyage from London to Bombay, Colombo, Melbourne and Sydney.
07 Jan. 1940, requisitioned by the British Ministry of Shipping for service as a troop transport vessel. During the war used as a troopship for transporting ANZAC troops to Suez, she was a participant as troopship in the landings at Oran and Algiers in 1942. She came under air attack in Algiers Bay. May and June stationed in the Red Sea and used as a training vessel for the Italian landings, and she took part in the Anzio landing in 1944.
10 Oct. 1946, collided with the "FLUOR" which sank in about 40 feet of water at berth 103 at Southampton. After the war she was used for repatriation of troops.
October 1946 returned to owners and was reconditioned by Harland & Wolff. Ltd. at Belfast.
Passenger accommodation 573 first and 496 tourist class.
05 Jan. 1950 re-entered service with one funnel in the London-Bombay-Sydney service.
1954 Refitted as a one class ship, 1.252 tourist class passengers. Sailed for her last voyage from London (Tilbury Docks) to Sydney on 07 Dec. 1961.
12 Feb. 1962, sold for £ 325.500 to Shun Fung Ironworks Co., Hong Kong for demolition, she was delivered at Hong Kong on 03 April 1962.

Kuwait 1939 6a sg44, scott50


[Source P & O a Fleet History by the World Ship Society and North Star to Southern cross by John M. Maber. W.P. Merchant Fleets by Duncan Haws. ]