KING GEORGE V – Pass Cruise
789 grt / 1926 blt / UK
Leaving Oban – 13.9.1969
Don Smith Collection
Notes:-
TheKing George V was a passenger turbine steamer that operated on the Firth of Clyde for nearly 50 years and became famous for its heroic service during World War II.
Built in Dumbarton: The ship was built in 1926 by William Denny and Brothers for Turbine Steamers Ltd., a company that served routes on the River Clyde.
A pioneering design: The King George V was one of the first passenger vessels to use high-pressure, geared turbines. However, the advanced engineering led to early problems, including boiler explosions that killed two firemen in 1927.
Operational routes: After being re-boilered, the steamer served popular routes to Inveraray and Campbeltown. In 1935, its ownership was transferred to David MacBrayne Ltd., and it became based out of Oban, cruising to scenic spots in the Inner Hebrides.
Dunkirk evacuation: In 1940, the King George V transported troops from the beaches of Dunkirk, making six voyages and rescuing 4,300 men.
Atlantic Charter: In 1941, the vessel carried Prime Minister Winston Churchill to his battleship to meet with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt for the Atlantic Conference.
Post-war career: After the war, the steamer returned to its cruising routes on the Clyde. It was incorporated into the Caledonian MacBrayne fleet in 1973.
Retirement and fire: The ship was withdrawn from service in 1974 and sold to a company intending to convert it into a floating pub or restaurant. In 1981, while undergoing conversion in Cardiff, a fire destroyed the vessel.
Scrapping: The fire-damaged hulk was finally scrapped in 1984, bringing an end to the ship’s 58-year career
