© 2012 Bob Hackett
SIBERIA MARU was completed as a passenger cargo ship S.S. MALLINA in '09 for the Australasian United Steam Navigation Company, Ltd., Brisbane. In 1914, at the outset of World War I, she was requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and served as a store carrier and collier HMAS MALLINA. In 1915, she was returned to her owners. Sold in '29 to Machida Shokai Kisen Kaisha of Japan, she was renamed SEIKO MARU. In '35 she was sold Kita Nippon Kisen K. K. and renamed SIBERA MARU. In '40, she was acquired by Nipponkai Kisen K. K. In '41, she was requisitioned by the IJA as a military transport. Later converted to a hospital ship, she subsequently reverted to a transport. In Sep '44, SIBERA MARU was bombed and sunk by Task Force 38 aircraft off Masbate, Philippines.
| Builder and Year Completed: |
Harland & Wolff, Belfast,
Ireland (builder of RMS TITANIC) 1909 |
| Gross tonnage: | 3,213-tons. |
| Dimensions: | 330.5' x 44.3' x 23.3' |
| Propulsion: | quadruple steam expansion engine, 643 n.h.p., 1 shaft |
| Speed: | 11.5 knots |
| Armament: | None as AH, unknown as AP. |
