The MV Royal Sovereign was built for the New Medway Steam Packet Company by William Denny & Brothers, Dumbarton under their yard No. 1304. The ship was launched on May 28th 1937. By the time of delivery the New Medway Steam Packet Company had been acquired by the General Steam Navigation Co Ltd.

The ship was utilised on well patronised sailings from London to Bolougne and Calais and for the tourist market on the 'no-passport' weekend service to Ostend with an all-in ticket of 2 pounds 5 shillings. The approach of World War Two saw this traffic vanish, shortly after the outbreak of war the Royal Sovereign was used for the evacuation of women and children from port towns in Essex and Kent to East Anglia.

Further service in support of the war effort saw the Royal Sovereign in use as a troop transport between Southampton and Cherbourg. The vessel would be struck by a torpedo off the Isle of Wight, but this did not prevent her taking a significant part in the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk. The Admiralty later requisitioned the Royal Sovereign and renamed her the HMS Royal Scot.

One December 9th 1940 the Royal Sovereign was sailing from the Gareloch to the South of England, whilst navigating the Bristol Channel the ship hit a mine and started to take on water. The Chief Officer was killed with others sustaining injuries from the explosion. The ship did not sink immediately which allowed a tug to come alongside and take on the survivors.

General Details

Builder: William Denny & Brothers, Dumbarton.
Launched: 1937
Length: 269ft 6in
Beam: 47ft
Draught ??
Weight: 1,527 tons gross
Engines: Two Sulzer 2,250hp engines, Type TS.
Screws: Two
Service Speed: ??
Crew: ??
Passengers: ??

Following the end of World War Two General Steam Navigation Co Ltd placed an order with William Denny for a replacement vessel for the sunken Royal Soveriegn. This new ship was delivered in 1948 and carried the same name as her predecessor, the ship was also powered by two Sulzer engines.

Page added February 15th 2009

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