The Fleets
This page is about Royal Mail Steam Packet Company and Royal Mail Lines Limited.
The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company received the mail contract for the West Indies and commenced operating in 1841. A West Indies inter-island service was also operated. In 1850 services expanded to South America. Several short lived routes were operated and in 1906 Owen Philipps, who later became Lord Kylsant became Chairman of the company. A joint service with Holland America Line to the Pacific coast of North America started in 1921.
In 1932 the giant Kylsant Shipping empire collapsed and Lord Kylsant was jailed for issueing a false prospectus. Royal Mail Steam Packet Company went into liquidation, Royal Mail Lines Limited was formed and took over the assets of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, the Nelson Line and David MacIver & Company.
The Royal Mail Line was taken over in 1965 by Furness, Withy & Company and ships often interchanged between the Royal Mail Line, Furness and Shaw Savill & Albion Lines fleets. By 1972 Royal Mail had virtually disappeared as a separate shipping line.
Many thanks to Ted Finch for his assistance in collecting this data. The following list was extracted from various sources. This is not an all inclusive list but should only be used as a guide.
Routes
- 1840-1920 Falmouth / Southampton to the West Indies (London - West Indies cargo services continued)
- 1847-1850 Southampton - Bermuda - New Orleans
- 1850-1980 Southampton - Lisbon - Brazil - Uruguay - Argentina.
- 1852 1868 Savannah - Nassau - Jamaica - Colon (Chagres)
- 1857-1859 Marseilles - Malta - Alexandria
- 1884 Brazil - Barbados - St.Thomas - New York.
- 1906-1909 London - Mediterranean ports - Colombo - Australia.
- 1906 Southampton - Cuba - Mexico.
- 1913-1927 Halifax - St.John NB - Bermuda - West Indies - British Guiana.
- 1921-1927 Hamburg - Southampton - Cherbourg - New York.
- 1921-1980 London - Cherbourg - Vigo - Lisbon - Las Palmas - Rio de Janeiro - Santos - Montevideo - Buenos Aires.
- 1921-1968 UK - Bermuda - West Indies - Colombia - Central America - Pacific USA ports - Vancouver. (Mostly cargo but some passengers carried - joint service with Holland America Line)
Ships
| Name | Built | Additional Information | GRT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abadesa | 1962 | 1968 transferred from Houlder Line, 1969 chartered to J. Stolt Nielsen renamed Stolt Abadesa, 1973 sold to Liberia renamed Stolt Tiger. | 13,398 |
| Actaeon | 1841 | 1844 purchased from Martin & Burns, Glasgow, West Indies feeder service, 1844 wrecked near Cartagena. | 650 |
| Agadir | 1907 | 1908 purchased from Mersey SS Co., 1922 sold to Khedivial Mail, renamed Belkas. | 2,722 |
| Albany | 1957 | 1971 sold to Liberia renamed Taiwan. | 7,299 |
| Alcala | 1912 | ex- Vauban, 1913 taken over from Lamport & Holt Line, renamed Alcala, 1914 returned to L& H Line and reverted to Vauban, 1922 chartered by RMSPCo for short period as Vauban. | 10,660 |
| Alcantara (1) | 1914 | 1916 sunk in battle with German surface raider GREIF while serving as Armed Merchant Cruiser; loss of 72 lives. | 16,034 |
| Alcantara (2) | 1926 | 1939 Armed Merchant Cruiser, 1943 troopship, 1948 returned to owners, 1958 scrapped Japan. | 22,181 |
| Almanzora | 1915 | 1915-1919 Armed Merchant Cruiser, 1939-1945 troopship, 1945-1947 Government emigration ship, 1948 scrapped. | 16,034 |
| Amazon (1) | 1851 | 1851 burnt out at sea on maiden voyage; loss of 104 lives. | 2,256 |
| Amazon (2) | 1906 | 1918 torpedoed and sunk off Ireland, no lives lost. | 10,037 |
| Amazon (3) | 1959 | 1968 transferred to Shaw Savill & Albion, renamed Akaroa. | 20,348 |
| Andes (1) | 1913 | 1915-1919 Armed Merchant Cruiser, 1929 renamed Atlantis cruise ship, 1939-1946 Hospital Ship, 1948-1952 Australia / NZ emigrant ship, 1952 scrapped. | 15,620 |
| Andes (2) | 1939 | 1939-1945 troopship, 1959 converted to cruise ship, 1971 scrapped. | 26,689 |
| Andes (3) | see Ortega | ||
| Araby (1) | 1923 | 1932 taken over with MacIver & Co., 1940 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic. | 4,936 |
| Araby (2) | 1947 | 1961 sold to Shamrock Shipping, Larne renamed Glynn. | 5,040 |
| Aragon (1) | 1905 | 1917 torpedoed and sunk off Alexandria while trooping; loss of 610 lives. | 9,588 |
| Aragon (2) | 1959 | 1969 transferred to Shaw Savill & Albion, renamed Aranda. | 20,362 |
| Araguaya | 1906 | 1917-1920 Hospital ship, 1930 sold to Yugoslav Lloyd, renamed Kraljica Marija. | 11,537 |
| Arcadian (1) | see Ortona. | ||
| Arcadian (2) | see Asturias (1) | ||
| Arlanza (1) | 1911 | 1915-1919 Armed Merchant Cruiser, 1938 scrapped. | 15,044 |
| Arlanza (2) | 1960 | 1969 transferred to Shaw Savill & Albion, renamed Arawa. | 20,362 |
| Arno (1) | 1865 | West Indies inter-island service, 1882 sold. | 1,038 |
| Arno (2) | 1894 | ex- Juno, 1901 purchased from J& P. Hutchison, Glasgow, renamed Arno West Indies Inter-island service, 1917 scrapped. | 607 |
| Arno (3) | 1916 | ex- Nosted III, 1920 purchased from Norway renamed Arno, 1933 sold after grounding damage and hulked. | 345 |
| Arun | 1925 | ex- Polonia, 1927 purchased from Denmark renamed Arun, West Indies Inter-Island service, 1951 sold. | 384 |
| Arzila | 1907 | 1908 purchased from Mersey SS Co., 1922 sold to Khedivial Mail, renamed Bilbeis. | 2,722 |
| Asturias (1) | 1907 | 1914-1917 Hospital ship, 1917 torpedoed and became ammunition hulk at Plymouth, 1919 re-purchased by R.M.S.P.Co, rebuilt as cruise ship and 1923 renamed Arcadian (2), 1930 laid up, 1933 scrapped. | 12,105 |
| Asturias (2) | 1925 | 1939 Armed Merchant Cruiser, 1945 became a government owned emigrant ship and troopship. (Played the part of TITANIC in film "A Night to Remember"), 1957 scrapped. | 22,048 |
| Atlantis | see Andes (1) | ||
| Atrato (1) | 1853 | 1870 sold to J. Morrison, London. | 3,466 |
| Atrato (2) | 1888 | 1912 sold to Viking Cruising Co. | 5,366 |
| Aurora | 1841 | 1841-1843 coaling hulk at Falmouth. | |
| Avon (1) | 1842 | 1863 wrecked Colon. | 2,069 |
| Avon (2) | 1880 | 1903 scrapped. | 2,225 |
| Avon (3) | 1907 | 1914 troopship, 1915-1919 Armed Merchant Cruiser, renamed HMS Avoca, 1919 returned to R.M.S.P.Co reverted to Avon, 1930 scrapped. | 11,073 |
| Balantia (1) | 1909 | W.I. Inter-island service, 1916 became hospital ship St. Margaret of Scotland, 1918 reverted to Balantia, 1922 sold to Khedivial Mail, renamed Boulac. | 2,467 |
| Balantia (2) | 1944 | ex- Samfaithful, 1947 purchased from Ministry of Transport renamed Balantia, 1958 sold to Liberia renamed Betamar. | 7,210 |
| Barima | 1914 | West Indies Inter-island service, 1923 sold to Straits SS Co, renamed Kudat. | 1,498 |
| Barranca | 1943 | ex- Samthar, 1947 purchased from Ministry of Transport renamed Barranca, 1957 sold to Italy renamed Cesco Corrado | 7,252 |
| Belize (1) | 1871 | ex- Bison, 1874 purchased from unknown owners renamed Belize, 1888 sold. | 1,038 |
| Belize (2) | 1914 | West Indies Inter-island service, 1923 sold to Government of Trinidad. | 1,498 |
| Berbice (1) | 1909 | West Indies Inter-island service, 1915 requisitioned by the Admiralty as Hospital ship HMS Berbice. 1922 sold to Mitchell Cotts & Co., London renamed Suntemple. 1924 sold to United Baltic Corp. renamed Baltara, 1929 wrecked at mouth of Vistula. | 2,379 |
| Berbice (2) | 1943 | ex- Samphill, 1947 purchased from Ministry of Transport renamed Berbice, 1958 sold to Lebanon renamed Nikolas S. | 7,219 |
| Beresina | 1943 | ex- Samspring, 1947 purchased from Ministry of Transport renamed Beresina, 1956 sold to Liberia renamed African Monarch. | 7,298 |
| Boyne | 1871 | 1875 wrecked near Brest, France; no loss of life. | 3,318 |
| Brecknockshire | 1917 | 1917 captured by German raider Moewe and sunk. | 8,422 |
| Brittany (1) | 1928 | 1932 taken over with MacIver & Co, 1942 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic. | 4,772 |
| Brittany (2) | 1946 | 1962 scrapped. | 5,089 |
| Camilla | 1850 | 1853 purchased from Samuel Cunard's Canadian organisation, 1859 sold to Brazil. | 539 |
| Caraquet | 1894 | ex- Guelph, 1913 purchased from Union-Castle Line renamed Caraquet, Canada -West Indies service, 1923 wrecked Bermuda. | 4,917 |
| Cardiganshire | 1913 | 1929 scrapped | 9,426 |
| Caribbean | 1889 | ex- Dunottar Castle, 1913 purchased from Union-Castle Line, 1914 Armed Merchant Cruiser, later Scapa Flow depot ship, 1915 sank off Cape Wrath; loss of 15 lives. | 5,625 |
| Carmarthenshire | 1915 | 1929 scrapped | 7,823 |
| Carnarvonshire | 1913 | 1933 scrapped | 9,406 |
| Caroni | 1904 | 1915 torpedoed and sunk off Chassiron. | 2,628 |
| Catalina | 1904 | 1922 sold to Japan renamed Nisshin Maru No.3. | 2,626 |
| Chaleur | see Sabor (1) | ||
| Chaudiere | 1899 | ex- Mandingo, 1914 purchased from Elder Dempster & Co. renamed Chaudiere, Canada - West Indies service, scrapped 1927. | 3,986 |
| Chignecto | see Segura. | ||
| City of Glasgow | 1840 | 1841 purchased from Thomson & McConnell, Glasgow, West Indies inter-island service, 1846 laid up, 1848 sold. | 1,700 |
| Clyde (1) | 1841 | 1865 scrapped. | 1,841 |
| Clyde (2) | 1890 | 1913 scrapped. | 5,645 |
| Cobequid | 1893 | ex- Goth, 1913 purchased from Union-Castle Line renamed Cobequid, Canada - West Indies service, 1915 wrecked in Bay of Fundy. | 4,738 |
| Conway (1) | 1846 | 1870 sold. | 895 |
| Conway (2) | 1904 | 1930 scrapped. | 2,627 |
| Corsica | 1863 | 1868 purchased from Cunard, 1877 sold to R. Foll. | 1,134 |
| Culebra | 1919 | ex- Riposto, 1922 purchased from J. Glynn & Son, Liverpool renamed Culebra, 1942 sunk in Atlantic by U-Boat shellfire; loss of 45 lives. | 3,044 |
| Danube (1) | 1865 | 1871 sold to Union SS Co. | 2,039 |
| Danube (2) | 1893 | 1918-1920 troopship, 1920 sold to C. Langton & Co., renamed Mediterranean Star. | 5,946 |
| Darro (1) | 1912 | 1933 scrapped. | 11,484 |
| Darro (2) | 1943 | 1967 sold, renamed Surrey and scrapped. | 9,733 |
| Darro (3) | 1957 | ex- Carnatic, 1973 transferred from Shaw, Savill & Albion to R.M.L. management renamed Darro, 1977 sold to Greece renamed Litsa K. | 11,144 |
| Dart (1) | 1883 | 1884 wrecked near Santos, Brazil; loss of 1 life. | 2,641 |
| Dart (2) | 1912 | River Plate meat lighter, 1959 scrapped. | 1,104 |
| Dee (1) | 1841 | 1862 scrapped. | 1,849 |
| Dee (2) | 1872 | ex- State of Minnesota, 1875 purchased from State Line renamed Dee, 1901 scrapped. | 1,864 |
| Dee (3) | 1902 | West Indies Inter-island services, 1914 taken over as military transport, did not return to R.M.S.P.Co. | 1,871 |
| Demarara (1) | 1852 | launched but grounded in River Avon and broke her back, never delivered to Royal Mail but rebuilt as sailing ship British Empire. | 2,318 |
| Demarara (2) | 1912 | 1933 scrapped. | 11,484 |
| Denbighshire | 1899 | 1907 transferred from Jenkin's Shire Line, 1919 renamed Tamar (4), 1922 sold renamed Avgy and scrapped. | 3,844 |
| Derwent (1) | 1850 | 1867 wrecked in great hurricane at St.Thomas. | 794 |
| Derwent (2) | 1879 | 1902 scrapped. | 2,471 |
| Derwent (3) | 1949 | ex- Persic, 1969 transferred from Shaw Savill & Albion Line renamed Derwent, 1971 scrapped. | 13,594 |
| Deseado (1) | 1911 | 1934 scrapped. | 11,475 |
| Deseado (2) | 1942 | 1968 scrapped. | 9,641 |
| Deseado (3) | 1961 | ex- Iberic, 1976 transferred from Shaw, Savill & Albion to R.M.L. management renamed Deseado, 1980 sold to Metcalfe Shipping Co. | 11,034 |
| Desna | 1912 | 1933 scrapped. | 11,483 |
| Devon | 1914 | River Plate meat lighter, 1959 scrapped. | 1,368 |
| Don | 1872 | ex- Corcovado, 1875 purchased from Pacific Steam Nav. Co. renamed Don, 1901 scrapped. | 4,028 |
| Doon | 1913 | River Plate meat lighter, 1919 London - Continent feeder service, 1919 sold to Blue Star Line renamed Britanica. | 1,353 |
| Douro (1) | 1864 | 1882 run down and sunk by Spanish steamer Yruruc Bat off Cape Finisterre; loss of 17 lives. | 2,824 |
| Douro (2) | 1946 | ex- Hornby Grange, 1969 transferred from Houlder Line Ltd. renamed Douro, 1972 scrapped. | 10,783 |
| Drina (1) | 1912 | 1917 torpedoed and sunk off Milford Haven; loss of 15 lives. | 11,483 |
| Drina (2) | 1944 | North Pacific route, 1965 transferred to Shaw Savill & Albion Line, renamed Romanic. | 9,785 |
| Drina (3) | 1953 | ex- Cretic, 1972 transferred from Shaw, Savill & Albion to R.M.L. management renamed Drina, 1977 sold to Lancaster Shipping Co., Singapore renamed United Vigour. | 10,961 |
| Duquesa | 1949 | 1968 transferred from Houlder Line, 1970 scrapped. | 9,762 |
| Durango | 1944 | North Pacific route, 1966 transferred to Shaw Savill & Albion Line, renamed Ruthenic. | 9,806 |
| Eagle | 1846 | 1861 purchased from Taylor & Scott, Dublin, West Indies inter-island service, 1861 sold at Jamaica. | n/a |
| Ebro (1) | 1865 | ex- Rakaia, 1871 purchased from Panama, Australian & New Zealand Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. renamed Ebro, 1881 sold to Cia Trasatlantica, Barcelona, renamed Baldomero Iglesias. | 1,509 |
| Ebro (2) | 1896 | 1903 sold to Swan, Peterson & Co, Newcastle, renamed Quebec. | 3,445 |
| Ebro (3) | 1914 | 1922 transferred to Pacific Steam Nav. Co. | 8,490 |
| Ebro (4) | 1952 | 1969 sold to Fortune Maritime, Hong Kong, renamed Fortune Victory. | 7,784 |
| Eden (1) | 1882 | 1909 W.I. inter-island service, 1909 wrecked Cabrit Island. | 2,145 |
| Eden (2) | 1956 | 1969 sold to Neptune Orient Line, Singapore, renamed Neptune Garnet. | 7,791 |
| Eider (1) | 1864 | 1883 sold to Haiti, rebuilt as gunboat and renamed La Patrie. | 1,569 |
| Eider (2) | 1900 | Southampton - Bremen - Hamburg feeder ship, 1927 sold to Union-Castle Line. | 1,236 |
| Elbe | 1870 | 1902 scrapped. | 3,108 |
| Empire Ken | 1928 | ex- Ubena (German East Africa Line), 1945 surrendered to Britain, operated by RML, 1957 scrapped. | 9,523 |
| Escalante | 1955 | 1970 sold to Panama, renamed Manes P. | 7,791 |
| Esk (1) | 1849 | 1854 sold to Thomas Hill, Southampton. | 232 |
| Esk (2) | 1882 | 1909 West Indies inter-island service, 1910 scrapped. | 2,145 |
| Essequibo (1) | 1871 | ex-Bladworth, 1873 purchased from Brownlow & Co., Hull renamed Essequibo, WI inter-island service, 1900 scrapped. | 1,831 |
| Essequibo (2) | 1915 | 1922 transferred to Pacific Steam Nav. Co. | 8,489 |
| Essequibo (3) | 1952 | 1968 sold to China Navigation Co., renamed Ningpo. | 7,791 |
| Flintshire | 1899 | 1907 transferred from Jenkin's Shire Line, 1913 sold to Ellerman Line renamed Algerian. | 3,837 |
| Forth | 1841 | 1849 wrecked near Cartagena; no loss of life. | 1,939 |
| Gascony | 1925 | 1932 taken over with MacIver & Co, 1958 scrapped. | 4,716 |
| Glamorganshire | 1918 | ex- War Armour, 1919 purchased from the Shipping Controller renamed Glamorganshire, 1933 scrapped. | 8,192 |
| Great Western | 1838 | 1847 purchased from Great Western SS Co., 1854 Crimean War transport, 1856 scrapped. | 1,340 |
| Guadiana | 1874 | 1885 wrecked on Abrolhos Rocks, Brazil. | 2,504 |
| Highland Brigade | 1929 | 1932 taken over with Nelson Line, 1959 sold to John Latsis, Piraeus, renamed Henrietta. | 14,131 |
| Highland Chieftain | 1928 | 1932 taken over with Nelson Line, 1959 sold to Calpe Shipping Co, Gibraltar, renamed Calpean Star. | 14,131 |
| Highland Monarch | 1928 | 1932 taken over with Nelson Line, 1960 scrapped. | 14,139 |
| Highland Patriot | 1932 | 1932 taken over with Nelson Line, 1940 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic; loss of 3 lives. | 14,157 |
| Highland Princess | 1929 | 1932 taken over with Nelson Line, 1959 sold to John Latsis, Piraeus, renamed Marianna. | 14,128 |
| Humber | 1880 | 1885 sailed from New York for West Indies and went missing; loss of 66 lives.. | 2,371 |
| Isis | 1841 | 1842 grounded Puerto Rico, refloated but sank off Bermuda; loss of 1 life. | 1,900 |
| Kennet | 1895 | ex- General Havelock, 1901 purchased from R. M. Hudson, Sunderland, based at Trinidad, 1914 scrapped. | 827 |
| La Plata (1) | 1852 | 1871 sold. | 2,292 |
| La Plata (2) | 1879 | ex- Norfolk, 1882 purchased from Money Wigram & Co. renamed La Plata, 1893 sold to Orienta Steam Yachting Assoc., London, renamed Orienta. | 3,240 |
| La Plata (3) | 1896 | 1900 sold to Booth Line, renamed Clement. | 3,445 |
| La Plata (4) | 1882 | ex- Moor, 1901 purchased from Union-Castle Line renamed La Plata for cruising, 1908 sold to Polytechnic Touring Assoc., renamed The Viking. | 4,464 |
| Larne (1) | 1841 | sailing ship, West Indies inter-island service, 1851 scrapped. | 300 |
| Larne (2) | 1870 | ex- De Ruyter, 1873 purchased from Engels & Co., Antwerp, 1900 sold to Italy, renamed Little Mary, later Mario. | 1,670 |
| Larne (3) | 1894 | ex- Aldenham, 1916 purchased from Eastern & Australasian SS Co. renamed Larne, 1918 sold to MacAndrews & Co. | 3,808 |
| Lee | 1841 | sailing ship, 1848 West Indies inter-island service, 1848 wrecked near Belize. | 250 |
| Liffey (1) | 1841 | sailing ship, West Indies inter-island service, 1847 out of service - no further record. | 350 |
| Liffey (2) | 1866 | ex- Ruahine, 1871 purchased from Panama, Australian & New Zealand Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. renamed Liffey, 1874 wrecked Uruguay. | 1,504 |
| Loch Avon | 1947 | North Pacific service, 1967 sold to Singapore Malaysia Overseas Line, renamed Hongkong Observer. | 8,617 |
| Loch Garth | 1947 | North Pacific service, 1968 scrapped. | 8,617 |
| Loch Gowan | 1954 | North Pacific service, 1970 scrapped. | 9,718 |
| Loch Loyal | 1957 | North Pacific service, 1971 sold to Aegis Group, Piraeus, renamed Aegis Loyal. | 11,035 |
| Loch Ryan (1) | 1943 | ex- Empire Chieftain , 1946 purchased from Ministry of Transport renamed Loch Ryan, 1960 sold, renamed Fair Ryan and scrapped. | 9,904 |
| Loch Ryan (2) | 1958 | ex- Pacific Envoy , 1967 transferred from Furness Withy renamed Loch Ryan, 1970 reverted to Furness Withy, renamed Pacific Envoy. | 9,439 |
| Lochavon | 1938 | 1939 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic. | 9,205 |
| Lochgoil | 1922 | UK - Vancouver service, 1943 bombed and sunk near Gibraltar. | 9,462 |
| Lochkatrine | 1921 | UK - Vancouver service, 1942 torpedoed and sunk off Newfoundland; loss of 9 lives. | 9,409 |
| Lochmonar | 1923 | UK - Vancouver service, 1949 scrapped | 9,412 |
| Lombardy (1) | 1920 | 1932 taken over with David MacIver & Co., 1956 sold to Far East Metal Co. renamed Metal Trader. | 3,379 |
| Lombardy (2) | 1958 | ex- Manchester Freighter, 1969 transferred from Manchester Liners renamed Lombardy, 1971 sold to Liberia renamed Premier Pacific. | 8,105 |
| Magdalena (1) | 1852 | 1854 Crimean War transport, 1866 scrapped. | 2,318 |
| Magdalena (2) | 1889 | 1915 taken over as troopship, 1921 scrapped. | 5,362 |
| Magdalena (3) | 1949 | 1949 wrecked Rio de Janeiro on maiden voyage. | 17,547 |
| Manau | 1892 | ex- Transvaal, 1906 purchased from Bucknall Line renamed Manau, 1906 wrecked near Bahia, Brazil. | 2,745 |
| Marima | 1892 | ex-Zulu, 1906 purchased from Bucknall Line renamed Marima, 1911 sold to Greece renamed Marika. | 2,742 |
| Medina | 1841 | 1842 wrecked Turks Island; no loss of life. | 1,800 |
| Medway (1) | 1841 | 1854 Crimean War transport, 1861 scrapped | 1,895 |
| Medway (2) | 1877 | 1899 scrapped. | 3,687 |
| Merionethshire | 1913 | ex- Reptonian, 1913 purchased from J. Mathias, Aberystwyth renamed Merionethshire, 1918 torpedoed and sunk off Azores | 4,308 |
| Mersey | 1859 | Rio - Buenos Aires feeder service, 1876 sold. | 1,039 |
| Minho (1) | 1872 | ex- Leopold II, 1874 purchased from Ryde & Co., 1878 sold to A. Ross, Glasgow. | 2,540 |
| Minho (2) | 1896 | 1903 sold to Swan, Peterson & Co, Newcastle, renamed Halifax. | 3,445 |
| Mondego | 1872 | ex- Santiago, 1874 purchased from Ryde & Co., 1888 sold to A. Ross, Glasgow. | 2,564 |
| Monmouthshire | 1902 | 1907 transferred from Jenkin's Shire Line, 1919 renamed Tyne (4), 1922 sold to Japan renamed Toku Maru. | 5,091 |
| Montgomeryshire | 1921 | 1931 sold to Italy renamed Riv. | 6,650 |
| Moselle | 1871 | 1891 wrecked near Colon; loss of 1 life. | 3,298 |
| Nagara | 1918 | 1943 torpedoed and sunk off Lands End. | 8,803 |
| Nagoya | 1920 | ex- Highland Warrior, 1932 taken over with Nelson Line renamed Nagoya, 1936 sold to Kaye & Son renamed Marlene. | 8,442 |
| Nalon | 1915 | ex- Murillo, 1932 taken over with Nelson Line renamed Nalon, 1940 bombed and sunk by German aircraft. | 7,206 |
| Narenta | 1919 | 1939 sold to Japan, renamed Kosei Maru. | 8,266 |
| Nariva | 1920 | 1943 torpedoed in Atlantic and sunk by escorts. | 8,723 |
| Nasina | 1915 | ex- Meissonier, 1932 taken over with Nelson Line renamed Nasina, 1935 sold to Italy renamed Asmara. | 7,206 |
| Natia | 1920 | 1940 sunk in Atlantic by German surface raider. | 8,723 |
| Navasota | 1918 | 1939 torpedoed and sunk in North Atlantic; loss of 37 lives. | 8,803 |
| Nebraska | 1919 | 1944 torpedoed and sunk off Ascension Island. | 8,261 |
| Nela | 1915 | ex- Moliere, 1932 taken over with Nelson Line renamed Nela, 1946 scrapped. | 7,206 |
| Neva | 1868 | 1890 scrapped. | 3,025 |
| Nictheroy | 1920 | 1937 sold to Achille Lauro, Naples, renamed Cuma. | 8,265 |
| Nile (1) | 1869 | 1890 sold to Union SS Co., renamed Roman (2). | 2,994 |
| Nile (2) | 1893 | 1900 Boer War transport, 1911 sold to Nile SS Co., Hong Kong. | 5,855 |
| North Britain | 1841 | coaling hulk at Corunna, 1843 Engineer's depot and repair ship at Southampton, 1853 scrapped. | ? |
| Ohio | 1919 | ex- Munchen (North German Lloyd), completed as Ohio (war reparations) for R.M.S.P.Co., Hamburg - NY service, 1927 transferred to White Star Line, renamed Albertic. | 18,490 |
| Oneida | 1855 | 1858 purchased from European & Australian Royal Mail Co, 1874 sold to Ellis & Sons, London became sailing ship. | 2,293 |
| Orbita (1) | 1919 | 1921 chartered from Pacific Steam Nav. Co. for Hamburg - NY service, 1923 transferred from PSNCo., 1927 reverted to PSNCo. | 15,495 |
| Orbita (2) | 1971 | 1980 sold to Cia. Sud Americana de Vapores renamed Andalien. | 8,396 |
| Orca | 1918 | 1923 transferred from Pacific Steam Nav. Co., 1927 sold to White Star Line, renamed Calgaric. | 15,120 |
| Orcana | 1903 | ex- Miltiades, 1920 purchased from Aberdeen Line renamed Orcana, 1922 transferred to Pacific Steam Nav. Co. | 6,793 |
| Orduna (1) | 1914 | 1921 transferred from Pacific Steam Nav. Co. for Hamburg - New York service, 1927 reverted to PSNCo. | 15,507 |
| Orduna (2) | 1973 | 1980 transferred from Pacific Steam Nav.Co, 1982 transferred to Houlder Line renamed Beacon Grange. | 8,396 |
| Orinoco (1) | 1852 | 1854 Crimean War transport, 1858 scrapped (dry rot in wooden hull) | 2,245 |
| Orinoco (2) | 1886 | 1909 scrapped. | 4,434 |
| Orotava | 1889 | 1906 transferred from Pacific Steam Nav.Co, 1914 Armed Merchant Cruiser. In 1919 she passed to the ownership of the Shipping Controller, London (managed by RMSPCo.) and was eventually scrapped in Nov.1921. | 5,857 |
| Oroya | 1886 | 1906 purchased from Pacific Steam Nav.Co, 1909 scrapped. | 6,057 |
| Ortega | 1973 | 1980 transferred from Pacific Steam Nav.Co, renamed Andes, 1982 sold to Hong Kong renamed Oceanhaven. | 8,396 |
| Ortona | 1899 | 1906 purchased from Pacific Steam Nav.Co, 1910 renamed Arcadian (1) cruise ship, 1915-17 troopship, 1917 torpedoed and sunk in Mediterranean; loss of 279 lives. | 7,945 |
| Oruba (1) | 1889 | 1906 transferred from Pacific Steam Nav.Co, 1914 sold to Admiralty became dummy battleship HMS Orion 1915 scuttled at Mudros as breakwater. | 5,852 |
| Oruba (2) | 1904 | ex- Marathon, 1920 purchased from Aberdeen Line renamed Oruba, 1922 transferred to Pacific Steam Nav. Co. | 6,795 |
| Palma | 1941 | 1944 torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine off Ceylon; loss of 7 lives. | 5,419 |
| Pampas (1) | 1940 | 1942 bombed and sunk in Malta harbour. | 5,415 |
| Pampas (2) | 1944 | 1944 Infantry Landing Ship then renamed HMS Persimmon, 1946 returned to owners as Pampas, 1964 sold to Panama renamed Aristodimos. | 5,576 |
| Para | 1872 | ex- Puno, 1875 purchased from Pacific Steam Nav. Co. renamed Para, 1901 scrapped. | 3,805 |
| Paraguay | 1944 | 1964 sold to Greece. | 5,564 |
| Paramatta | 1858 | 1859 wrecked on Anegada, West Indies on maiden voyage, no lives lost. | 3,439 |
| Parana (1) | 1851 | 1855 chartered to French Government as Crimean War transport, 1868 hulked at St, Thomas, 1876 scrapped. | 2,943 |
| Parana (2) | 1904 | 1933 scrapped. | 4,515 |
| Pardo (1) | 1904 | 1934 scrapped. | 4,538 |
| Pardo (2) | 1940 | 1964 sold to Greece renamed Aristarchos. | 5,405 |
| Parima | 1944 | 1962 sold to Panama renamed Michalios X. | 5,596 |
| Pembrokeshire | 1914 | 1933 scrapped. | 7,821 |
| Picardy | 1957 | 1971 sold to Liberia renamed Europe. | 7,306 |
| Pilcomayo | 1945 | 1964 sold to Greece renamed Aristagelos. | 5,574 |
| Potaro (1) | 1904 | 1915 captured by German raider KRONPRINZ WILHELM, used as scout ship, 1915 scuttled by Germans. | 4,378 |
| Potaro (2) | 1940 | 1965 sold to Greece renamed Aristipos. | 5,416 |
| Prince | 1851 | 1862 sold. | 398 |
| Princess Victoria | 1844 | Southampton passenger tender, 1850 out of service. | ? |
| Radnorshire (1) | 1913 | ex- Salopian, 1913 purchased from J. Mathias, Aberystwyth renamed Radnorshire, 1917 captured and sunk by German raider MOEWE off Brazil. | 4,310 |
| Radnorshire (2) | 1919 | ex- War Diamond, 1920 purchased from the Shipping Controller renamed Radnorshire, 1930 sold to Thomson SS Co., London renamed Sithonia. | 6,723 |
| Reina del Mar | 1956 | 1969 transferred from Union-Castle SS Co. to R.M.L., 1973 sold to Union-Castle SS Co. | 20,750 |
| Reindeer | 1840 | 1845 purchased from G.Langtrey & Co., Liverpool, West Indies inter-island service, fate not known. | 600 |
| Rhone | 1865 | 1867 wrecked at St. Thomas in great hurricane; loss of 124 lives. | 2,738 |
| Sabor (1) | 1893 | ex- Gaul, 1906 purchased from Union-Castle Line renamed Sabor, 1908 transferred to Jenkin's Shire Line renamed Carmarthenshire, 1913 reverted to R.M.S.P.Co renamed Chaleur (Canada - West Indies service), 1927 scrapped. | 4,745 |
| Sabor (2) | 1920 | ex- War Whale, 1920 purchased from the Shipping Controller renamed Sabor, 1943 torpedoed and sunk in Indian Ocean. | 5,212 |
| Sambre | 1919 | ex- War Swift, 1920 purchased from the Shipping Controller renamed Sambre, 1940 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic. | 5,260 |
| Sarthe | 1919 | 1942 torpedoed and sunk off Cape of Good Hope. | 5,271 |
| Segura (1) | 1893 | ex- Greek, 1906 purchased from Union-Castle Line renamed Segura, 1908 transferred to Jenkin's Shire Line, renamed Pembrokeshire, 1913 reverted to R.M.S.P.Co renamed Chignecto (Canada - West Indies service), 1927 scrapped. | 4,747 |
| Segura (2) | 1919 | ex- War Pansy, 1920 purchased from the Shipping Controller renamed Segura, 1935 sold to Houlder Bros, renamed Langton Grange. | 5,295 |
| Seine | 1860 | 1871 scrapped. | 3,440 |
| Severn (1) | 1841 | 1854 Crimean War transport, 1856 scrapped. | 1,886 |
| Severn (2) | 1873 | 1887 sold to Turkey. | 1,736 |
| Severn (3) | 1898 | 1913 sold to Cia Trasatlantica Espanola, Cadiz, renamed Fernando Poo. | 3,760 |
| Severn (4) | 1919 | ex- War Pelican, 1920 purchased from the Shipping Controller renamed Severn, 1932 sold to Greece renamed Leonidas II. | 5,246 |
| Shannon | 1859 | 1875 wrecked near Colon. | 3,609 |
| Sicily | 1913 | 1933 taken over with David MacIver & Co, 1933 sold to Greece renamed Pagasitikos. | 3,457 |
| Silarus | 1919 | 1931 sold to Greece renamed Nemea. | 5,101 |
| Siris | 1919 | 1942 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic. | 5,242 |
| Solent (1) | 1852 | West Indies inter-island service, 1869 scrapped. | 2,230 |
| Solent (2) | 1878 | West Indies inter-island service, 1905 became cruise ship, 1909 scrapped. | 1,908 |
| Solway | 1841 | 1843 wrecked near Corunna, Spain; loss of 35 lives. | 1,700 |
| Somme | 1919 | ex- War Toucan, 1920 purchased from the Shipping Controller renamed Somme, 1942 torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic. | 5,265 |
| Spey | 1892 | West Indies inter-island service, 1913 sold to V. Kibrit, London. | 470 |
| Tagus (1) | 1871 | 1897 scrapped. | 3,298 |
| Tagus (2) | 1899 | 1900 Boer War transport, 1914-1918 Hospital ship, 1920 sold to Hijos de Jose Taya, Barcelona, renamed Prince de Viana. | 5,545 |
| Taff | 1914 | lighter at Southampton, 1920 sold to J. Little & Co, Southampton. | 204 |
| Tamar (1) | 1854 | 1854 Crimean War transport, 1871 sold. | 1,850 |
| Tamar (2) | 1873 | ex- Vancouver, 1878 purchased from China Transpacific SS Co. renamed Tamar, 1897 scrapped. | 2,923 |
| Tamar (3) | 1902 | 1915 captured and sunk by German raider KRONPRINZ WILHELM off Brazil. | 3,207 |
| Tamar (4) | see Denbighshire. | ||
| Tasmanian | 1857 | 1859 taken over from European & Australian Royal Mail Co, 1878 sold. | 2,956 |
| Taw | 1892 | W.I inter-island service, 1915 sold to T.H.Scott, Trinidad. | 180 |
| Tay | 1841 | 1856 wrecked near Vera Cruz; no loss of life.. | 1,858 |
| Tees | 1892 | W.I. inter-island service, 1915 sold to T.H.Scott, Trinidad. | 180 |
| Teign | 1914 | lighter at Southampton, 1920 sold to Spillers Ltd, Cardiff. | 204 |
| Teviot (1) | 1841 | 1864 scrapped. | 1,744 |
| Teviot (2) | 1902 | 1914-1918 supply ship, 1928 scrapped at Danzig. | 3,271 |
| Teviot (3) | 1944 | ex- Empire Abbey, 1946 purchased from Ministry of Transport renamed Teviot, 1960 scrapped. | 7,085 |
| Thames (1) | 1841 | 1854 Crimean War transport, 1865 scrapped St.Thomas. | 1,889 |
| Thames (2) | 1890 | 1914 scuttled as blockship in Scapa Flow. | 5,645 |
| Thessaly (1) | 1909 | 1932 taken over with MacIver & Co, 1933 scrapped. | 3,135 |
| Thessaly (2) | 1957 | 1971 sold to Liberia renamed Japan. | 7,299 |
| Tiber | 1865 | ex- Kaikoura, 1871 purchased from Panama, Australian & New Zealand Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. renamed Tiber , 1882 wrecked San Domingo. | 1,591 |
| Towey | 1914 | lighter at Southampton, 1920 sold to Spillers Ltd, Cardiff. | 204 |
| Trent (1) | 1841 | 1854 Crimean War transport, 1865 laid up, 1867 scrapped. | 1,856 |
| Trent (2) | 1873 | ex- Vasco de Gama (sp), 1878 purchased from China Transpacific SS Co. renamed Trent, 1897 scrapped. | 2,912 |
| Trent (3) | 1899 | 1915 HMS Trent, Monitor Depot ship, 1922 scrapped. | 5,573 |
| Tuscany | 1956 | 1970 sold to Random Ltd (H & J. Denholm), renamed Federal Hudson. | 7,455 |
| Tweed (1) | 1841 | 1847 wrecked Yucatan; loss of 72 lives. | 1,800 |
| Tweed (2) | 1944 | ex- Empire Lady, 1946 purchased from Ministry of Transport renamed Tweed, 1959 scrapped. | 7,046 |
| Tyne (1) | 1854 | 1875 scrapped. | 1,603 |
| Tyne (2) | 1891 | 1897 WI inter-island service, 1897 sold Phillippines, renamed P. de Sotolongo. | 615 |
| Tyne (3) | 1900 | 1917 WI Inter-island service, 1917 torpedoed and sunk in English Channel. | 2,902 |
| Tyne (4) | see Monmouthshire. | ||
| Wear | 1892 | West Indies inter-island service, 1915 sold to T. H. Scott, Trinidad. | 180 |
| Wye | 1853 | West Indies inter-island service, 1867 wrecked at St. Thomas in great hurricane; loss of 41 lives. | 819 |
| Yacare | 1959 | River Plate local service, 1972 transferred to Buenos Aires ownership | 1,344 |
| Yaguarete | 1959 | River Plate local service, 1972 transferred to Buenos Aires ownership. | 1,344 |
| Yare | 1887 | ex- Norfolk, 1901 purchased from H. Reeve, Yarmouth renamed Yare, based at Dominica, 1915 sold to Joseph Gale, Preston renamed Ribbleton. | 299 |