Contents - 1910 P&O 'SS Mongolia'

James Plumpton - Deck Officer - P&O SS Mongolia 1910

P&O SS Mongolia 1903 - Caird & Co.

James Plumpton was a Junior officer on the P&O SS Mongolia around 1910. His photo album starts with photo's taken during his time on this steamer. Cameras were expensive luxuries in those days and it is fortunate that he had one to record the exciting steamship voyages and later experiences of being in the Royal Navy in WW1. Destinations varied from Tilbury Docks to India, China & Australia.

The P & O. liner MONGOLIA launched in 1903 was a sister ship to the Moldovia and carried passengers and the mails for India, China and Australia, as well as a full general cargo for Australia. in 1916 The Admiralty hired her as an Armed Merchant Cruiser. The following year, she struck a mine on June 23rd, 1917, 50 miles S. by W. of Bombay, and sank in 13 minutes. Twenty three passengers and crew were killed with 450 survivors taken off without further loss, but it was not possible to get at the mails which went down with the vessel. The mine was laid by the German raider SMS Wolf.

Crew: 329 (185 European, 194 Asian). Passenger Capacity:348 first class, 166 second class

In his book 'Treasure Cruise' James Plumpton wrote about a sighting of a P&O liner when he was sailing to Cocos Island in 1932 ;

"The sight of her brought back memories of many happy voyages in the P. & 0. Company's ships, for I have travelled extensively in them, and have always found what I can only describe as " an atmosphere " of comfort and homeliness, combined with efficiency such as I have never experienced elsewhere." 'Treasure Cruise' - Pub. 1934

SS Mongolia Crew Wrestling Match

Tilbury Docks May 1910

SS Mongolia Crew Wrestling Match

Tilbury Docks May 1910

SS Mongolia Crew Wrestling Match

Tilbury Docks May 1910

SS Mongolia Crew Wrestling Match

Tilbury Docks May 1910

Tilbury Docks

SS Mongolia Crew Wrestling Match - May 1910

Gibraltar

SS. Mongolia - June 1910

'Mouse'

Unknown passenger or crew member on SS. Mongolia - September 1910

'Mouse'

Who was Mouse? Please send me a email if you know!

A young Vyvyan Donner 1910. (Age 15)

SS Mongolia Liner - Vyvyan Donner was a famous New York fashion journalist & Designer. Also Fashion Editor for Fox Movietone News & wrote the 8 film ‘Fashion Forecast’ series in Technicolour featuring U.S.A’ s top models.

A young Vyvyan Donner Age 15 (right)

With P&O SS Mongolia Crew - 1910. Vyvyan was a New York fashion journalist & Designer. Also was Fashion Editor for Fox Movietone News - wrote the 8 film ‘Fashion Forecast’ series in Technicolour featuring U.S.A’s top models.

R.C Dene - June 1910

Possibly on SS Mongolia 1910. I believe this to be a Captain R. C. Dene, who during his service with the P & O Company had previously commanded their well-known mail ships Rawalpindi, Naldera, and Majola. Captain Dene retired in 1941 and took an appointment with the Ministry of War transport. He was Captain of the P & O liner Strathaird built by Vickers Armstrong Ltd. and launched in 1931.

'A young Vyvyan Donner Age 15 & Joan Hartley'

Who was Joan Hartley?...Please send me an email if you know!

SS Mongolia - Sydney 1910

A great photo of SS Mongolia officers and crew. It would be nice to find any of their surviving descendants and to present them with this photo!

DR. Gardner - SS Mongolia 1910

Dr. Gardner on the P&O SS Mongolia liner 1910 - perhaps the ships Doctor. I think he bears a slight resemblance to the Wicca Man Gerald Gardner but I'm sure it's not him!. I don't know who the lady is but she seems rather amused by Dr. Gardner having his photo taken!

Bay of Biscay 1910 - SS Mongolia

Gibraltar

SS. Mongolia - June 1910

This appears to be a fleet of 20 or so ships in formation, probably a Royal Navy training exercise in 1910

Bay of Biscay 1910 - SS Mongolia

SS Mongolia 1910

I haven’t been able to track down who this is yet...RD Logan?..Iogar? ..I assume it is an officer from SS Mongolia - 1911

I think this the crew returning to the SS Mongolia - 1910

SS Mongolia - 1910

Auckland 1910 - I think these two photos were taken from the vantage points of the two sets of hills in the background of the photos.

Auckland 1910 - It would be interesting to have a modern photo for comparison, does anyone recognise the area?!

Auckland 1910. Exactly where was this taken though? Does the building still survive!

A nice park in Auckland - 1910

Crew chatting with passengers on the SS Mongolia 1910

Suez Canal probably taken from aboard the SS Mongolia 1910.

A young Vyvyan Donner Age 15 - on deck of the SS Mongolia in 1910. Vyvyan Donner was a New York fashion journalist & Designer. Also was Fashion Editor for Fox Movietone News - wrote the 8 film ‘Fashion Forecast’ series in Technicolour featuring U.S.A’s top models.

Off Cape Leeuwin, SW Australia 1910, seen from SS Mongolia

Lews Castle, Stornaway. 1910.

If you have any information to add or any comments, please drop me an email: jamesplumpton.history@gmail.com

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