Argo
Vessel name on Arrival: Argo
Original Builder: John Shearer & Sons Limited, Elderslie, Glasgow
Original Yard No: 44
Official Number: 124142
Vessel Type: Cargo
GRT: 661
Year Built: 1906
Arrival Date: 10/08/1949
Breakup Started: 03/09/1949
Date First Beached: 04/09/1949
Date Breakup Completed: 24/02/1950
Draught For’d: 02' 06"
Draught Aft: 10' 00"
Name Changes:
On 23-01-1917, whilst trading as ARGO in the North Sea, she came under attack from a German submarine. The U-Boat opened up with her deck gun but the British freighter turned out of danger and, with her superior speed, was able to prevent the loss of the ship.
09-06-1917 : Vessel was chartered by the Admiralty for service as a Q-Ship.
19-12-1917: Vessel was purchased by the Admiralty, her Port of Registration changed from Glasgow to London, and the ship assigned the duty of a Coastal Stores Carrier.
During the years 1917 through 1919 this vessel was engaged in war service for the Admiralty as a Decoy Ship, sailing under the following names on behalf of the Admiralty as a Q-Ship : LOTHBURY, SARUSAN and STEAD and was fitted out with 1 x 4 inch gun, 1 x 15 pounder gun and 1 x 12 pounder gun. Allocated Pennant Nos. N13 and N08.
10-04-1919 : Service as a Q-Ship terminated and name reverted to ARGO
Other Information:
Cargo vessel built for J & P Hutchinson of Glasgow.
Launched 05-10-1906 and completed shortly later that year.
Never again returned to merchant service after War service.
23-07-1917 : William C. Smith RNR appointed to command
19-12-1917 : Purchased outright by the Admiralty
10-04-1919 : Service as a Q-Ship terminated and name reverted to ARGO
1921 : RFA Service terminated
1926 – 1933 : Captain E. Smith appointed
12-10-1938 : Arrived at Rosyth where she was reduced to a hulk for the temporary storage of munitions and later towed to Medway and moored there
1947 : Hulked at the R.N. Armaments depot at Fort William and placed on the Disposal List
August 1949 : Sold to BISCO for scrap and broken up at Troon's WSSCL facility.