SS Esturia (1910)
| Company type | Oil tanker |
|---|---|
| Industry | Shipping, Naval support |
| Founded | 1910 |
| Founder | Armstrong Whitworth & Company |
| Defunct | 4 March 1937 |
| Fate | Sunk by naval mine |
| Headquarters | Newcastle upon Tyne (construction) , United Kingdom |
Area served | Australia, Malaya, Mediterranean Sea |
| Products | Oil transport and naval support services |
| Owner | Burmah Oil Company (initial), Royal Australian Navy (1914), Shell Tankers UK (1918), Mavris Bros (1928) |
Number of employees | 24 (crew at sinking) (1937) |
Esturia was an oil tanker with a gross register tonnage of 2,143, constructed in 1910 by Armstrong Whitworth & Company at their Walker yard in Newcastle upon Tyne. Initially serving the Burmah Oil Company, she was requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy on 11 September 1914 amid the First World War, functioning as both an oiler and stores vessel. During this period, she fulfilled the role of destroyer depot ship for HMAS Swan, Huon, and Torrens operating in waters around Australia and Malaya. Subsequently, after accompanying these destroyers to Port Said, Egypt, command of the ship was transferred to the Admiralty.
Following her naval service, in 1918 she was acquired by Shell Tankers UK, who managed her operations until 1928. At that time, ownership passed to the Greek firm Mavris Bros based in Piraeus, and the vessel was renamed Loukia.
Fate
On 4 March 1937, during a severe storm off Cape San Sebastian, Catalonia, Spain, Loukia struck a naval mine amidst the Spanish Civil War. The explosion led to the vessel's sinking with the loss of 23 out of her 24 crew members.
Notes
References
- Gillett, Ross (1986). Australia's navy : past, present & future. Brookvale, NSW: Child & Henry. ISBN 0-86777-178-X.
- Odgers, George (1982). The Royal Australian Navy : an illustrated history. Brookvale, NSW: Child & Henry. ISBN 0-86777-240-9.