Vessels were adapted for war
WEEKEND ARRIVALS WEEKEND DEPARTURES
IN a programme funded by the government, many merchant ships were built with features which, while not interfering with their normal trade, would be useful in the event of war.
This sometimes included extra generating capacity, extra fuel tanks, strong points in the structure for the positioning of guns and degaussing cables.
When Cunard line’s vessel Ausonia was taken over in 1939 she had guns fitted to these areas for use as an auxiliary cruiser at a time when the RN was short of convoy escorts.
As the war progressed and new warships were commissioned, many of these liners were then adapted to carry troops and landing craft in readiness for planned attacks on enemy held beaches.
Some vessels were, however, retained for other purposes and in the case of Cunard Line’s Ausonia, she was purchased outright by the RN in 1942 and underwent an extensive rebuild which saw her re-emerge as the Heavy Repair Ship, HMS Ausonia.
Now fully equipped with a foundry and other equipment enabling her to effect large and complex repairs to HM ships far from a shore base, she saw service in the Far East.
Finally withdrawn in 1964, she was scrapped in Spain the following year.
By Capt Murray Paterson.