Letters

HMHS Plassy, a hospital ship based in the Orkneys in WW1

I am trying to find details of the Plassy that was a hospital ship based in the Orkneys in WW1
 
Many thanks for any help.
 
P Tweedie.
 
 
Here are some details about HMHS Plassy:

HMHS Plassy

King George V's Visits to Scapa Flow.

King George made several visits to the Grand Fleet in Scapa Flow, the first in July 1915, another in July 1916 when he stayed overnight on HMS Iron Duke and visited the flagships of all the squadrons in the Flow (to congratulate them on the Battle of Jutland).

King George V made another visit to Scapa in June 1917, arriving on HMS Castor during a Force 8 gale and thunderstorm on Thursday 21st. He stayed with Admiral Beatty on the flagship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, where he was welcomed by all the Admirals, his son Prince Albert (later King George VI, then serving in HMS Malaya) and Midshipman "Dickie" Battenberg (later Earl Mountbatten). On Friday 22nd the weather was still poor, so plans to go to sea with the Fleet for firing practice were put on hold and the King spent two hours touring the Queen Elizabeth, then went on board Revenge, King George V and Barham. On Saturday 23rd the King visited the submarine depot-ship Lucia (formerly the German Spreewald), then lunched with Admiral Sturdee in HMS Hercules, before returning to Queen Elizabeth to sail with her, Barham, Malaya, Warspite and Valiant for firing practice in the Pentland Firth. On Sunday, after morning service, the King held an investiture and decorated over forty officers (including a GCVO for Beatty and ensignia of Knight Commander of the Victorian Order for Rear Admiral O. de Brock). After lunch the King went on board the submarine K2, the minesweeper Godetia, the hospital ship Plassy and finally his son's ship, Malaya. He left Scapa on Monday, 25th June, steaming through the Fleet in Castor, each ship cheering as they passed.

PLASSY 1901
Official No.109259, 7,405 gross tons, length 450.3ft x beam 54.2ft, two funnels, two masts, two triple expansion three cylinder engines, twin screw, speed 16 knots. Accommodation for 114-1st and 87-2nd class passengers. Designed for the intermediate passenger service, but used almost exclusively as a trooper and hospital ship. Launched on 23rd Nov.1900 by Caird & Co, Greenock (Yard No.296) for the P & O Steam Navigation Co and delivered on 9th Jan.1901. 25th Sep.1906 seriously damaged in collision with the steamer MASTERFUL while berthed at Southampton. Repaired and returned to service. July 1924 sold and scrapped at Genoa. [P & O. A Fleet History by Rabson & O'Donoghue]

Note from the Great War Forum.

I have a personal diary from 1915 which belonged to a conscientious objector.
His name was Percy Barton and he served a a Sick Berth Attendant aboard a hospital ship, the Plassy.

I also have his tags and documents, the Certificate of Exemption from Military Service.


Regards,
 
Mac.


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