Rick W Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Trying to do a bit of research on fathers side. His grandfather was quite high up in the merchant navy. He served at some point on a ship called Mooltan, but it seems to have changed its title. In some cases referred to as S.S. Mooltan and others as HMS. Why are some called SS, RMS and HMS. Did they get their titles changed at the same time? In the meantime if anyone has any good links on getting merchant navy records etc, could you let me know. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 SS : Steam Ship RMS : Royal Mail Steamer SS Mooltan was part of the P&O fleet, it would have been taken over by the Royal Navy as a troopship I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest catweazle (Banned Member) Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Trying to do a bit of research on fathers side. His grandfather was quite high up in the merchant navy. He served at some point on a ship called Mooltan, but it seems to have changed its title. In some cases referred to as S.S. Mooltan and others as HMS. Why are some called SS, RMS and HMS. Did they get their titles changed at the same time? In the meantime if anyone has any good links on getting merchant navy records etc, could you let me know.Thanks. Rick go to the Military power boat trust website,go to the forum i saw something about merchant navy there this evening(see i do have other places to go:rofl:) they would help i am sure,you may have to sign in,its a great place if you like boats.cw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 HMS His/Her Majesty's Ship- Vessels owned and operated by the Crown RMS- Royal Mail Steamer/ship- These were vessels whose civillian owners had a warrant from the Royal Mail to caryy mail and dispatches. this granted certain priviliges to the owners/vessels. SS- Steam Ship, standard prefix for civillian vessel MV- Motor Vessel, same as above but an oil burning engine. You may also see civillian ships flying a Blue Ensign. These are either organisations granted the privilige by the Crown, such as Trinity house, P.L.A. or a vessel whose Captain is a member of what used to be R.N.V.R. or R.N.R. The old Royal Mail Steamer/ferry Ceasera used to fly this when one Captain had her but not the other. All a bit of maratime one upmanship now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snapper Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 When Mooltan was an armed merchant cruiser she was renamed HMS Mooltan. Not unusual, it was happening to ships of all shapes and sizes and it was easy to leave the original MN name. Looks like she didn't stay in the role for long and became a troopship - which means she may also have had the prefix HMT (if I am correct) - had she stayed on the Admiralty's roster, but it looks like she went back to being a civvy ship. MB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick W Posted October 1, 2008 Author Share Posted October 1, 2008 Thanks all, so I was right in thinking the SS and HMS Mooltan were one and the same. Thanks for the lead CW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 Most of the Armed Merchant Cruisers, which is the catergory Mooltan would most likley have been in would fly the Blue Ensign as they were considerd Auxilary vesels. The most famous of course being Rawilpindi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Rawalpindi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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