SS Ardena (1915)

SS Ardena was a minesweeper and escort vessel built as HMS Peony in 1915.

History
She was built by A McMillan and Son in Dumbarton and launched on 25 August 1915. She entered services as HMS Peony as an Azalea-class sloop, minesweeper.

She was acquired by the London and South Western Railway in 1920, reconstructed and placed on the routes to Cherbourg and Caen which re-opened in July 1921. She was taken over by the Southern Railway in 1923 and remained until sold in July 1934.

She went to Navigation Constantine Toyias, Piraeus. On 18 April 1941, during a convoy escort, she collided with Greek destroyer Leon followed by the explosion of two depth charges. As a result, the stern section of Leon was cut off and two officers were killed.

On 27 September 1943 the passenger ferry, was sunk by a mine off Argostoli, Greece. Seven hundred and twenty Italian prisoners of war and 59 crewmen were killed.