Harland and Wolff - Shipbuilding and Engineering Works

Launched by Harland & Wolff from their Greenock yard for the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company. The naming ceremony was performed by Viscountess Inchcape, the wife of the P&O Chairman. After the launch, she was towed across the Irish Sea to H&W's Belfast yard to have her propulsion machinery installed and to be fitted out.

1930 August she was transferred to the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand and renamed Monowai (in August 1917 the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand had joined the P & O group by the latter's acquisition of the USS Co's shares).

She entered NZ service in October 1939 and was commissioned in August 1940 as HMNZS Monowai , Armed Merchant Cruiser (AMC). For two and half years she was employed on patrol transport and escort duties in the Pacific and saw action against a Japanese submarine off Fiji in 1942. She was paid off in June 1943 at Liverpool and was refitted as a Landing Ship (Infantry) (LSI). Monowai recommissioned in February 1944 and took part in the Normandy landings. She was returned to her owners in July 1946 and later became well known as one of the last passenger ships on a regular trans-Tasman service.

13th September 1960 she was taken in tow for her last short trip across Kowloon Bay to the Ngautaukok breaking yards near the airport, Hong Kong.