Anchor Line; RMS Circassia (3), Cilicia, Caledonia (5) built between 1937 & 1948

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With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian, Cruise‘n’Ship Reviewer, Author & Lecturer

Please Note: All ssmaritime and my other related ssmaritime sites are 100% non-commercial and privately owned sites. Be assured that I am NOT associated with any cruise or shipping companies or travel/cruise agencies or any other organisations! The author has been in the passenger shipping industry since May 1960 and is now semi-retired, but continues to write article on classic liners and cruise ships in order to better to inform cruise and ship enthusiasts for their pleasure!

Introduction:

Anchor Line was founded in 1856 as Handysides & Henderson although Handysides & Co. had owned ships prior to this date. In 1872 the Barrow Steamship Co. was formed in partnership with the Duke of Devonshire and ships were later transferred between Anchor Line and Barrow SS Co., but the two companies have been treated as one for the purposes of this list.

Anchor Line ordered their very first ship being the iron hulled sailing ship, the Tempest, which was built by Sandeman & McLaurin of Whiteinch in Glasgow. Having been completed on March 31, 1855 she had a registered tonnage of 845-tons, and she was 214.2 feet long and 28.7 feet wide. She was converted to steam in 1856. Over the years, she operated both on the Trans-Atlantic and Mediterranean services.

The Steam and sailing ship, Tempest,

In 1911 Cunard purchased all of the share capital of Anchor Line and in 1912 a joint service was formed to India with Brocklebank Line to be known as Anchor-Brocklebank. In 1916 Anchor-Donaldson Line was incorporated with Donaldson Line to operate services to Canada.

The firm of Anchor Line went into liquidation in 1935, however additional finance was injected by Runciman Ltd and a new concern, Anchor Line Ltd in 1935 was formed. Anchor-Donaldson and Anchor-Brocklebank ceased to exist and Cunard had no further connection with the new company. At the outbreak of World War II, Anchor Line Ltd owned nine ships and one on the stocks. Tragically six of these ten ships were lost.

In 1949 United Molasses Co (Athel Line) gained a controlling interest in the company and by 1950 they owned the whole ordinary share capital.

The Trans-Atlantic passenger services concluded in 1956, but in 1960 a new joint Anchor-Cunard service was introduced. United Molasses Co. became a subsidiary of Tate & Lyle in 1965, and Anchor Line was sold to Runciman & Co., Newcastle and in subsequent years several of Runciman’s Moor Line ships were transferred to Anchor.

Sadly the RMS Circassia operated the very last passenger voyage to India in 1966. The Currie Line of Leith together with their fleet was acquired in 1969 and George Gibson, Leith in 1972. Anchor became the ship owning company for the group in 1976 and by 1986 all that remained of the company was five liquid gas carriers, but is technically owned by Gibson & Co.

Please Note:

I will describe these ships as follows; 1. Pre-war: Descriptions & statistics for the first two ships, the RMS Circassia and Cilicia. 2. WW2: Wartime duties for the Circassia & Cilicia. 3. Description & statistics for the RMS Caledonia built in 1948, ten years after her two sisters and thus being a post-war ship. 4. Post-war Passenger services & 5. The concluding days: Looking towards the end of these three fine Anchor Liverpool to India liners.

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Ship 1 - RMS Circassia (3):

RMS Circassia was the first of the three Anchor Lines motor ships to be constructed at the Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd, at Glasgow. She was built in Yard 661 and was launched on June 8, 1937 and taken to her fit-out berth. When completed, she headed out for a very successful sea trials.

The Circassia is seen as she finally enters the water as she has been launched on June 8, 1937

Photo originally provided by the Fairfield Shipyards, Glasgow

Here see the partially completed liner under-tow to her Fairfield fit-out berth

Photo originally provided by the Fairfield Shipyards, Glasgow

The RMS Circassia is seen returning from her sea trials in October 1937

Photo originally provided by the Fairfield Shipyards, Glasgow

RMS Circassia was delivered to her owners in Glasgow on October 23, 1937 the 11,137 GRT (Gross registered Tons departed on her maiden voyage, sailing from Glasgow bound for Bombay India, via Egypt and Pakistan, returning to Liverpool, which became her and her sister’s homeport.

A fine looking Liner the RMS Circassia

Passenger Decks were arranged and named as follows:

Sports/Sun Deck offered extensive space for spots or sun baking as well as the Swimming Pool aft of the funnel.

Sports/Sun Deck; here we see the Swimming Pool

Please Note: All interior & deck photographs of all 3 ships were sourced from a 1960s brochure seen down the page

All other photographs are from the author’s private collection, unless mentioned otherwise

Boat Deck offered mostly cabins with all 2-berth cabins, and three of the 3-berth cabins had private facilities, whilst all cabins had windows. Aft was the Children’s Playroom, as well a children’s play deck.

Promenade Deck contained all the ships Lounges, the Main Lounge, the Lobby, the Long Gallery, Reading and Writing Room, as well as a library. Aft was the very popular Verandah Café offering views over the aft of the ship.

This superbly beautiful Main Lounge has a high centre dome with a backlit glass ceiling - looking aft

The Gallery - looking forward to the Lounge

The Smoking Room features fine timbers and is of a traditional style

The popular Cocktail Bar far aft of the superstructure

Heading outside there was a spacious Promenade deck

Far aft was the very popular Verandah Café

A (or Weather) Deck offered a number of deluxe beautifully timber panelled staterooms, which had private facilities. All staterooms and cabins had a window. The forward Lobby and Grand Stairwell was the ships Main Entrance and Lobby, being the location for the Pursers Office, the Hairdresser and a Shop.

Here we see one of the Deluxe panelled Staterooms on A deck

B Deck contained the medical centre as well as further accommodations, madder up of 2,3 and 4-berth cabins, all having a porthole aa well as a wash table with hot and cold water.

A typical three berth Stateroom on B Deck

C Deck was the location of the ships Dining Room and galley.

The Dining Room

It is important to Note - That all three ships had the same layout and their public venues were almost the same, although I will place some of their public venues with the two other ships, revealing minor décor variations. There was no doubt, that all three of the fine liners were well known and greatly loved for their luxurious public venues, excellent accommodations, fine service and their superb catering in the Dining Room as well as the amazing Buffets!

RMS Circassia Specifications:

Built: Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd., Govan.

Yard: 661.

Official number: 165916.

Launched: June 8, 1937.

Delivered: October 19, 1937.

Tonnage: 11.137 GRT, 10.287 dwt.

. 11,170 GRT in 1948.

Length: 483.6 ft - 141.25 m.

Breadth: 66.4 ft - 20.22 m.

Draft: 27.5 ft - 8.35 m.

Engines: Two 8-cylinder Fairfield-Doxford diesel engines - 14.000 BHP.

Propellers: Two - 1.110 nhp.

Speed: 16.5 knots service speed, 18 knots maximum.

Passengers: First Class 321 & Steerage 80.

Post War: First Class 320 - 298 adults & 22 children.

Crew: 150.

Facilities: Partial Air-Conditioning.

The RMS Circassia is seen pre-war in this photograph

RMS Circassia continued on her regular Liverpool to Bombay service until January 1940, when she would become a ship of war!

Ship 2 - RMS Cilicia:

The Cilicia was the second of the three sister ships to be built at Fairfield S&E Co. Ltd, Glasgow, but in Yard 664. She was launched and named on October 21, 1937. Having been fitted out and having been on her sea trials, she was delivered to her owners in Liverpool in May 1938. On May 14 she commenced her maiden voyage to India, on the same route as the RMS Circassia, which would be; Liverpool, Gibraltar, Port Said, Aden, Karachi to Bombay and return. She would only continue in passenger service for just a year and a half, for the War was nearby.

The RMS Cilicia is seen sailing up the Mersey to Liverpool

The ships layout was identical to the Circassia, although décor in her public venues varied slightly as can be seen in the photographs below.

The Lounge looking forward to the Main Lobby & Stairwell

You will note there were rounded windows in the upper level and other differences!

Smoking Room

The Dining Room

This Anchor Line brochure was released in 1938 promoting their two new ships operating to India

RMS Cilicia Specifications:

Built: Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd., Govan.

Yard: 664.

Official number: 165934.

Launched: October 21, 1937.

Delivered: May 1938.

Tonnage: 11.136 GRT, 10.287 dwt.

. 11,172 GRT in 1947.

Length: 483.6 ft - 141.25 m.

Breadth: 66.4 ft - 20.22 m.

Draft: 27.5 ft - 8.35 m.

Engines: Two 8-cylinder Fairfield-Doxford diesel engines - 14.000 BHP.

Propellers: Two - 1.110 nhp.

Speed: 16.5 knots service speed, 18 knots maximum.

Passengers: First Class 321 & Steerage 80.

Post War: First Class 320 - 298 adults & 22 children.

Crew: 150.

Facilities: Partial Air-Conditioning.

Names: RMS Cilicia 1938 - HMS Cilicia 1939 - HMT Cilicia 1944.

. RMS Cilicia 1945 - Jan Backx 1966 - 1980 SS Cilicia.

A fine aerial view of the RMS Cilicia sailing at full speed ahead at sea

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World War II:

HMT Circassia 1940 to 1948:

RMS Circassia was commissioned in January 1940 and was converted to serve as an “Armed Merchant Cruiser” (AMC), however in February 1942 she was refitted to become a troop ship with space for over 2,000 troops, and she took part in the landings at Salerno and St Tropez. Then from 1943 she became an Infantry Landing Ship. In 1945 she served in the Straits of Malacca.

The Circassia is seen here as an Infantry Landing Ship on April 19, 1947

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HMT Cilicia 1939 to 1947:

Cilicia was officially commissioned on October 15, 1939 she also became an “Armed Merchant Cruiser” for the next four and a half years. Thereafter, like her sister, she was refitted at Mobile to become a troop ship, work that lasted until December 16, 1944.

The Cilicia is seen here as an Armed Merchant Cruiser

Upon completion she commenced her sailings now being able to transport 2,400 troops and continued in trooping duties until 1947.

Ship 3 - RMS Caledonia V:

The Caledonia was the third of the trio 11,000-ton Anchor Liners to be built, but she was also the only Post-War passenger ship to be built for the Anchor Line. Just like her sister which was built ten years ago, she was also built by Fairfield S&E Co. Ltd, at Glasgow in Yard 732. She was launched and named by the Marchioness of Linlithgow on March 12, 1947. The uncompleted liner was then towed to her fit-out berth, and completed and made ready for her trials and delivery.

He we see the Caledonia V having just been launched and she is under tow to her fit-out berth

Photo originally provided by the Fairfield Shipyards, Glasgow

Then, having been completed and had undertaken her sea trials, she was delivered to Anchor Line in Liverpool in May 1938. The RMS Caledonia was made ready for her maiden voyage to Bombay, India and she departed and sailed via the usual ports of call.

An excellent starboard study of RMS Caledonia at sea

Again, the Caledonia’s interiors differed somewhat to her two earlier sisters however the design remained very much the same. The only main difference was that four Staterooms had been located far forward on Promenade Deck, with two twin, and two single bedded rooms. Otherwise her public venues were very similar, with the obvious variations, due to the ten years difference. Yet Anchor Line ensured that the traditional atmosphere on board remained the same, notable was the Main Lounge, which returned to the same décor as the Circassia, with the windows above being the same as well as some of the other touches.

The Main Lounge

The Smoking Room featured lighter timber panelling

The Bar was given a more modern look of the day

The Dining Room was much the same as other ships, except the lighter beige leather upholstery on the chairs.

The RMS Caledonia is seen in the Gulf of Suez

RMS Caledonia Specifications:

Built: Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd., Govan.

Yard: 732.

Official number: 182083.

Launched: March 12, 1947.

Delivered: March 23, 1948.

Tonnage: 11.255 GRT, 10.417 dwt.

Length: 506 ft - 154.23 m.

Breadth: 66.5 ft - 20.24 m.

Draft: 27.4 ft - 8.33 m.

Engines: Two Fairfield-Doxford diesel engines - 14.000 BHP.

Propellers: Two - 1.110 nhp.

Speed: 16.5 knots service speed, 18 knots maximum.

Passengers: First Class 326 - 304 adults & & 22 children & Steerage 80.

Crew: 150.

Facilities: Partial Air-Conditioning.

With the RMS Caledonia V being a post war ship meant that unlike her two sisters, she did not have to serve for the Navy or Army at any time, and thus remained a full time passenger liner, She continued to sail on her regular service from Liverpool to Bombay for a good seventeen years, until 1965, but I will cover her final days after her two earlier sisters war years.

The Caledonia is seen departing Liverpool in the 1950’s

RMS Cilicia & Circassia Return to Passenger Duties:

The RMS Cilicia was returned to Anchor Line in 1947, a year before her earlier sister she was given a massive, restoring her to her previous passenger liner glamour. Upon completion, she was reregistered as being 11,172 GRT. She departed on her first post-war voyage from Liverpool on May 31, 1947.

Both the RMS Circassia and Cilicia continued on their regular return service from Liverpool, Gibraltar, Port Said, Aden, Karachi to Bombay and return.

RMS Circassia was returned to Anchor Line in 1948, and she was given a comprehensive refit restoring to her former glory. Upon completion she was now registered as being, 11,170 GRT. RMS Circassia returned to her original services to Bombay, which commenced in August 1948.

Above & below: Two traditional postcards of the RMS Circassia & the RMS Cilicia

The Three Ships Final Days:

A 1960’s brochure promoting all three ships and their services to Gibraltar, Egypt and India

Here is another brochure with schedules & Fares from January 1962 until September 1964

1. RMS Circassia 3:

The Circassia continued on her regular voyages to Bombay, but on January 13, 1966 she departed Liverpool on her very last voyage to India and return to Liverpool.

RMS Circassia is seen departing for her final voyage to Gibraltar, Egypt and India on January 13, 1966

The Circassia is seen on her final return voyage to the UK, with her paying off pennant flying from her main mast aft

Upon the return of the now twenty nine year old liner, the Circassia was sold to Spanish ship breakers and it was soon she headed for Alicante being on the southwestern coast of Spain. She was soon broken up late in 1966.

However it should be known, for amazingly the RMS Circassia (3) was the first of the three ships built, however, she, was in fact the oldest of the trio ships that made Anchor Lines’ final passenger voyage on Bombay, India service.

2. RMS Cilicia:

The Cilicia was sold by Anchor in 1965 to “Stichting Vakopleiding Havenbedrief.” Arriving in 1966 in Rotterdam where she was used as a training ship, renamed ‘Jan Backx,’ she was based at Parkhaven, Netherlands, under the shadow of the famous Euromast.

Ex Cilicia, now named the Jan Backx is seen with the SS Seven Seas at her stern

They are berthed along the Parkhaven having the Euromast, and a huge park alongside

The Jan Backx is seen from high above as this photo was taken from the top of the Euromast in 1970

Photo sent in by a supporter, but photographer is unknown – Please see the photo notes at the bottom of this page

The Jan Backx is seen in 1979, the Seven Seas was moved to another location in the harbour

However, her days finally ended in 1980, as she had been sold to a ship breaker at Bilbao, and her original name Cilicia was restored again, especially for her final voyage to the ship breakers in Northern Spain.

3. RMS Caledonia V:

The Caledonia was sold to Moor Line Ltd., in 1965, and the Caledonia arrived in Amsterdam on December 29, 1965. She was berthed and used as a floating hostel for Amsterdam’s University students.

The floating student hostel Caledonia, with new windows cut into her hull, is seen berthed in Amsterdam

Then in March 1970, she was sold by Moor Line to the breakers, and was towed to Germany where she was duly was broken up in Hamburg-Harburg by Walter Ritscher during the year.

In Conclusion:

Although these three superbly built 11,000-tonne liners may have been built long before most of us were born, yet they continued right through to 1966 for the RMS Circassia, which was also the very last ship ever to operate a passenger service from Liverpool to Bombay in 1966. Then came the end in 1970 for the RMS Caledonia, which had served as a student hostel in Amsterdam from 1965, and the last to be broken up was in 1980, being the wonderful RMS Cilicia, which became training ship Jan Backx based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands until 1980. Therefore for many of us, these ships should be in our memories, and I know they are, for I have received emails over the years, and now I have finally completed this feature, which was commenced in 2014, but completed in 2017.

Remembering Three Fine Anchor Liners

The first ship built - RMS Circassia seen bound for Bombay, India

The second ship built - RMS Cilicia RMS Cilicia is seen arriving at Suez in 1959

The third and 1948 built ship, the RMS Caledonia is seen departing Liverpool in the early 1960’s

Photographer unknown – Please see the photo notes at the bottom of this page

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“Blue Water Liners sailing to the distant shores.
I watched them come, I watched them go and I watched them die.”

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Photographs on ssmaritime and associate pages are by the author or from the author’s private collection. In addition there are some images that have been provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are some photographs provided to me without details regarding the photographer/owner concerned. I hereby invite if owners of these images would be so kind to make them-selves known to me (my email address may be found on www.ssmaritime.com only), in order that due credit may be given.

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