HMS Royal Scotsman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | Royal Scotsman |
| Builder | Harland and Wolff, Belfast |
| Yard number | 964 |
| Launched | 11 March 1936 |
| Completed | 29 May 1936 |
| Acquired | October 1940 |
| Identification | IMO number: 5301394 |
| Honours and awards |
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| Fate |
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| General characteristics | |
| Type | Landing Ship, Infantry |
| Tonnage | 3,244 gross register tons (GRT) |
| Length | 340 ft (100 m) o/a |
| Beam | 48 ft (15 m) |
| Draught | 17 ft (5.2 m) (deep) |
| Propulsion | 7,500 shp (5,593 kW) twin diesel engines |
| Troops | 830 |
| Complement | 236 |
| Armament |
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The HMS Royal Scotsman, originally known as the MV Royal Scotsman, was a special kind of ship called a Landing Ship, Infantry (LSI). It served in the British Royal Navy during World War II. Before the war, it was a passenger ferry. During the war, it helped land soldiers in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy.
After its time as a warship, the ship was bought by the Church of Scientology in 1967. It was renamed the MV Apollo. This ship became the main headquarters for the Church of Scientology and the home of its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, until 1975.
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Building the Ship
The Royal Scotsman was built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast. It was launched on March 11, 1936. The ship was finished on May 29, 1936. It started its life as a passenger and cattle ferry. It traveled between Belfast and Glasgow in the Irish Sea.
War Service
In May 1940, the Royal Scotsman went to Norway. It helped transport soldiers for a mission called "Scissorsforce." This mission aimed to stop German forces from taking over certain areas. The ship arrived in Bodø, Norway, and quickly unloaded its troops.
In October 1940, the British Navy took over the Royal Scotsman. They changed it into a Landing Ship, Infantry (LSI). This meant it could carry and land soldiers during battles. The ship was ready for duty by January 1941. Most of its crew were the original merchant sailors.
Early Missions
The ship first served in British waters. In August 1941, it was part of "Operation Grey." This was a plan to occupy the Azores islands. But the mission was canceled. The Royal Scotsman then helped transport soldiers to Gibraltar in September 1941. This was to reinforce Malta during "Operation Halberd." After this, it returned to the UK for training.
Major Landings
From January 1942, the ship practiced for amphibious operations. These are operations where troops land from the sea onto a shore. On October 26, it sailed to Gibraltar for "Operation Torch." This was the invasion of North Africa. On November 8, it landed American soldiers to capture the port of Arzew. The Royal Scotsman then moved troops and equipment around the western Mediterranean Sea. It often worked with its sister ship Royal Ulsterman.
In May 1943, it took part in landings on the Italian island of Pantelleria. This was called "Operation Corkscrew." Then, on July 10, it landed troops on a beach in Sicily during the Allied invasion of Sicily. In September, it helped land troops at Salerno in Italy. This was a very important landing. In November 1943, the ship returned to the UK.
The Royal Scotsman was decommissioned in February 1945. It was returned to its original owners in March.
Life as Apollo
The ship continued to serve as a ferry until 1967. Then, the Church of Scientology bought it. They renamed it Apollo. The Apollo became the main ship for the Sea Org. This is a religious order within Scientology. It also served as the home for Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard and his family.
The Apollo sailed mostly in the Mediterranean Sea. It also traveled along the Atlantic coasts of Europe and Africa. It was the headquarters of the Church of Scientology until 1975. That year, the church moved its main headquarters to Clearwater, Florida.
The Ship's End
The Apollo was taken apart for scrap metal in 1984.
