SS Nubia (1895)

The SS Nubia was a passenger steamer built for the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company by Caird & Company of Greenock at a cost of £100,000 and launched on 13 December 1894. Originally named SS Singapore, it was 430 ft by 49 ft 4, with a three cylinder triple expansion steam engine and a top speed of 14.5 knots. It had a capacity of 90 First Class and 62 Second Class passengers and also carried cargo. The steamer made its maiden voyage to Calcutta on 1 March 1895, but ran aground 18 days later in Banden Fukon Bay, Aden. It was then refloated and repaired and commenced operations. In January 1899, five crewmen of the North Lancashire Regiment died after a cholera outbreak believed to have been caused by fruit taken on board in Port Said. Between 1899 and 1903 it was used for transportation and treating patients during the Boer War. The ship was eventually wrecked on 20 June 1915 about 0.5 mi north of Colombo.