SS Hertford

Federal Steam Navigation Company Ltd

London

he was launched as Rheinland for Hamburg America Line, but was completed in 1920 as Friesland. The UK Shipping Controller seized her that same year, and in 1922 sold her to the Federal Steam Navigation Co Ltd, who renamed her Hertford.

length 520.7 ft, beam 64.2 ft and depth was 38.1 ft , 10,923 GRT

As built: Twin screws powered by 2 × triple expansion engines by 1930: as above, plus 2 × exhaust steam turbines

SS Hertford was a refrigerated steam cargo liner of the Federal Steam Navigation Company. Federal Steam operated a cargo liner service between New Zealand, Australia and the UK, bringing refrigerated produce to the UK and general cargo to Australia and New Zealand.

With the declaration of the Second World War Hertford continued her regular trade between New Zealand, Australia and the UK. She sailed mostly unescorted.

In November 1940 the German auxiliary cruiser Pinguin planted three rows of mines across the mouth of the Spencer Gulf in South Australia. On 3 December Hertford left Fremantle carrying 6,000 tons of general cargo. On December she struck one of Pinguin's mines off Liguanea Island, about 25 nautical miles (46 km) west-southwest of the Neptune Islands. The mine blew a 40 by 20 feet hole in Hertford's side, ruptured her fuel oil bunkers and damaged her frame, but she remained afloat. She was towed to Port Lincoln for initial repairs. She was then towed to Outer Harbor, where divers made temporary repairs strong enough for her to steam to Sydney to be dry docked and permanently repaired.