RMS Duchess of Atholl

History
NameDuchess of Atholl
NamesakeKatharine, Duchess of Atholl
OwnerCanadian Pacific Railway Co
Operator Canadian Pacific SS Ltd
Port of registry London
BuilderWilliam Beardmore & Co, Dalmuir
Yard number648
Launched23 November 1927
CompletedJune 1928
Maiden voyage13 July 1928
Identification
FateSunk on 10 October 1942
General characteristics
Type
Tonnage
  • 20,119 GRT
  • 11,866 NRT (until 1932)
  • 11,872 NRT (1934–37)
  • 11,772 NRT (from 1939)
Length582.0 ft (177.4 m)
Beam75.2 ft (22.9 m)
Draught27 ft 0 in (8.23 m)
Depth41.7 ft (12.7 m)
Decks4
Installed power3,557 NHP
Propulsionsix steam turbines, twin screws
Speed17.5 knots (32.4 km/h; 20.1 mph)
Capacity
  • as ocean liner:
  • 580 first class
  • 480 tourist class
  • 510 third class
Crew
  • as troop ship:
  • 265 plus 26 DEMS gunners
Sensors &
processing systems
Armament
Notessister ships: Duchess of Bedford, Duchess of Richmond, Duchess of York

RMS Duchess of Atholl was one of a class of four steam turbine ocean liners built in Glasgow in 1927–29 for Canadian Pacific Steamships Ltd's transatlantic service between Britain and Canada.

In the Second World War she was converted into a troop ship. In 1942 a U-boat sank her in the South Atlantic, killing four of Duchess of Atholl's crew, whilst 821 survivors were rescued.