The "MONARCH OF BERMUDA" was built by Vickers-Armstrong Shipbuilders Ltd, Walker-on-Tyne (ship order #1) (engines by Fraser & Chalmers, Erich (turbines), and by General Electric Co Ltd, Birmingham (motors)), for Furness, Withy & Co's New York-Bermuda service, and launched on 17 March 1931. 22,424 gross tons; 579 x 76 feet (length x breadth), 3 funnels, 2 masts, cruiser stern; steam turboelectric engines, quadruple screw, service speed 19 knots; acccommodation for 799 passengers in 1st class, 31 in 2nd class; crew of 456. 1931-1939, New York-Bermuda. November 1939-1946, troopship. 24 May 1947, burned out at Hebburn-on-Tyne while being reconditioned for return to passenger service. Although declared a total loss, the wreck was reappraised and then purchased by the Ministry of Transport, who had her rebuilt by Thornycroft in Southampton as an emigrant ship; 20,256 tons; 553.2 x 76.7 feet; 1 funnel; 1600 passengers in one class. 1949, renamed NEW AUSTRALIA. 15 August 1950, first voyage, Southampton-Sydney, managed by the Shaw Savill Line.
The ship was sold to the Greek Line in January 1958, and renamed ARKADIA (registered in the name of the Arcadia Steamship Co); rebuilt and modernized by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg; 20,259 tons; forpeak extended to provide a curved stem, length 590 feet; foremast replaced by two king-posts; 150 passengers in 1st class, 1150 in tourist class. 22 May 1958, first voyage, Bremerhaven-Cherbourg-Liverpool-Greenock- Quebec-Montreal. 17 June 1958, first voyage, Bremerhaven-Southampton- Cherbourg-Cobh-Quebec-Montreal. 1961, further refitting by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg; 20,648 tons; 50 passengers in 1st class, 1337 in tourist class. 16 August 1966, last voyage, Bremerhaven-Amsterdam-London-Havre-Cobh-Quebec-Montreal (departed 26 August). November 1966, laid up in River Fal. 18 December 1966, arrived at Valencia, Spain, for scrapping.
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Updated: April 20, 2003
