Shengking II

Sister ship of Shuntien II

Shengking
ID /IMO No.1162669.
Type	Cargo/Passenger.
Gross Registered Tonnage	2,999 grt. 1,492 nett.
Builder	Scott's D.& E.Co. Yard no. 554
Delivery date	Dec 4th 1931
Hull	Steel, clincher construction. Bow constructed for ice-breaking.
Decks	2.
Length	300 ft. F'c'sle 42 ft. Poop 52 ft.
Width	46 ft.
Depth	16 ft.
Passengers	Saloon 39, Cabin 20, 2nd. class 52, 3rd. class 60.
Engine Builder	Scotts D.& E.Co.
Engine Type	Twin Brown Curtis steam turbines, with single reduction gear boxes.
Engine cylinders	High & Low press. turbines with astern turbines.
Engine Power	3,400 shp.
Engine RPM	141 @ propeller shaft.
Propulsion mode	Single screw.
Speed	16 kts.- capable of 20kts.
Rigged	Schooner.
Displacement	3,856 tons.
Deadweight	1706 tons.
Bale capacity	107,720 cu.ft.
Block coefficient (Cb)	0.61
Power	Steam
Condenser cooling surface	4,500 sq.ft.
Boiler	4 circulating (scotch), with N.E.M. superheaters.
Boiler pressure	220 psi. 520 degree Fahr.
Boiler dimensions (total)	15.0 ft,dia. 11.5 ft. high.
Heating Surface (total)	(704 cu.ft.
Grate Area (total)	235 sq.ft.
Fuel	Oil.
Furnace	3 per boiler.
Furnace dimensions	3'8" dia.
Draught	Forced.
Generator	1, steam recip.
Generator power	28 Kw.
Generator voltage	110V d.c.
Propeller	Right hand, 13.33 ft.dia. 12.25 ft.pitch.
Propeller blades	4
Propeller formation	Solid.
Propeller material	bronze.
Built classification society	B.O.T., Ice classification.
Keel laid	Feb 23rd.1931.
Launched	Oct 28th. 1931.
Launched by	Mrs. Brown.
Original owner	China Navigation Co.
Notes
Emergency generator:- diesel, 12 Kw.

History

June 12th. 1932. Stranded for five days on Chimeng Island, near Weihaiwei. Re-floated on June 17th.

March 23rd 1936 "Ship's Battle with Ice" from The Straits Times

December 1941. Requisitioned by the Ministry of War Transport, service with Royal Fleet Auxiliary as a supply ship, mainly in the Indian Ocean. Named "H.M.S. Shengking". Mainly employed for special service by the Royal Air Force transporting personnel and equipment, including bombs, fuel and accessories, in the region of Indian ports, Madagascar, the Maldives and the Laccadives.

February 5th. 1942. Gangway platform lost at sea, No blame attached to the Master or crew. During this period up to June 5th. 1943 the Shengking II was under command of York Niven Campbell who was later awarded an O.B.E. for his services.

August 8th. 1943. During a voyage from Cocos Islands to Colombo, a Life Raft was lost overboard. No blame attached to the Master & crew.

September 8th. 1943. Damage occurred to a dock crane at the Victoria Dock, Bombay. No blame attached to the Master.

1944. The vessel, under control of M.O.W.T., carried out a mercy trip from South Africa to Ceylon, returning the women and children who had earlier been evacuated from Ceylon during the bombing of Colombo by the Japanese.

On return to CNCo. after release By the Ministry of War Transport, under the command of Donald Brotchie who returned after his war-time internment, the vessel returned to her Hong Kong - Shanghai weekly service.

1949. The vessel played a key role of the reunion of families separated by the Chinese civil unrest, carrying large numbers of Nationalist Chinese refugees and others from Shanghai to Keelung, Taiwan. Being one of two British vessels sent to evacuate foreigners from Communist Shanghai. This service becoming known locally as the "Taiwan Trolley"

Jan 1955. Sold to Shun Cheong S.N.Co., Hong Kong, renamed "Taipoosek I".

Jan 29th. 1958. Laid up in Hong Kong, Sept. sold for scrapping.

Jan.1959. Broken up in Hong Kong by Hong Kong Rolling Mills.

Service

Built for the express Shanghai - Tientsin service.

After WW2 employed on the Hong Kong - Shanghai service until 1949 when she was transferred to the Hong Kong - Keelung service,

Images

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  Shengking II painted by Jim Pottinger