This the story of the LLANGIBY CASTLE.
1929: Built by Harland & Wolff, Glasgow Tonnage 11,951g. 7,199n. 485.6 x 66.2 x 36.0 ft.
Twin screw. twin screw 2 x 8cyl.4s. S. 4 stroke S.A. 8 cyl. oil engines by builder. Fitted with H&W. Buchi turbo chargers 1,300 mhp. speed 14.5 knots.
Passengers: 250 2st, 200 3rd class, crew 220.
4..1929: Launched for Union Castle.
21.11.1929: Delivered for the round Afica service. She obtaine 16knots on trials.
1940: Arrived Falmouth after all British were order out of the Med.
6.7.1940: Requisitioned by the Admiralty for Trooping duties.
16.1.1942: Sailing from the Clyde to Singapore, when she encountered U-402, which fired torpedoes at her, on struck her stern. The result was her stern and after gun were blown off, killing 26, with 4 missing. The action took place North of the Azores.
19.1.1942: She arrived at Horta, Azores, under her own power, maximum speed 19knots.
Under the Geneva Convention she was allowed only 14 das for repairs to be carried, Portugal, was a neutral Country.
2.2.`942: Set sail for Gibraltar, still missing her stern, she was escorted by 3 Destroyers and an Admiralty tug. Not long after leaving the Azores the small convoy encountered the U-Boat Pack. U-581 was sunk by HMS WESTCOTT. In order to assist in steering Admiralty Tug , took the ship in tow.
8.2.1942: Arrived Gibraltar and disembarked her troops.
After disembarking and refuelling she set sail for the UK with her escorts.
13.4.1942: Arrived safely in the UK, she had sailed 3,440 nautical miles, minus her stern and rudder, steering was accomplished by engine movements and the assistance of the tug.
9.11.1942: After repairs were completed took pat in operation torch.
1943: She suffered bow damage in a collision at Gib, sent back to the UK. Repaired and converted to a Landing Ship Infantry.
1944: She embarked the Royal Marine Flotilla and their Landing Craft, in all she carried 1,500 troops.
She practiced landing her troops at Bracklesham Beach east Wittering.
6.5. 1944:Arrived Juno Beach, where she disembarked 14 Landing Ships with a total of 750 men. The LSI returned the ship where the remaining 750 troops disembarked.
1945: Sent to the Far East where she was involved in a number of Troop Movements.
I.1946: Commenced three repatriation voyages of 6,000, West African Troops from Burma and India.
1947: Released and returned to UCl having sailed 300,625 miles and carried 156,134 troops.
1947: Refitted.
7.1947:Commenced Round Africa service.
1949: Caught fire and missed one voyage due to repairs.
29.7.1954: Left Tilbury for South Wales, where she was broken up by J. Cashmore, Newport.

Vic