HMS Royal Scotsman

HMS Royal Scotsman, originally the MV Royal Scotsman, was an LSI of the British Royal Navy that served during World War II. A former passenger ferry, she saw action in the Mediterranean during the invasions of North Africa (Operation Torch), Sicily and Italy.

For the train, see Belmond Royal Scotsman.
History
United Kingdom
NameRoyal Scotsman
BuilderHarland and Wolff, Belfast
Yard number964
Launched11 March 1936
Completed29 May 1936
AcquiredOctober 1940
IdentificationIMO number: 5301394
Honours and
awards
  • Atlantic 1942
  • Sicily 1943
  • North Africa 1942–43
  • Salerno 1943
Fate
  • Returned to owner, March 1945.
  • Sold 1967, 1977, and 1978, sunk after train collision in 1980.
General characteristics
TypeLanding Ship, Infantry
Tonnage3,244 gross register tons (GRT)
Length340 ft (100 m) o/a
Beam48 ft (15 m)
Draught17 ft (5.2 m) (deep)
Propulsion7,500 shp (5,593 kW) twin diesel engines
Troops830
Complement236
Armament
  • 1 × 12-pounder gun
  • 4 × 20 mm guns

The ship was later purchased in 1967 by the Church of Scientology, re-registered to Sierra Leone and renamed to the MV Royal Scotman (due to a transcription error) : 274  and then MV Apollo.: 291, 295  It served as the headquarters of the Church of Scientology, the founding flagship of the Sea Org, and the personal residence of L. Ron Hubbard until 1975.: 270–274 

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