HMS Royal Scotsman

For the train, see Belmond Royal Scotsman.
History
United Kingdom
NameRoyal Scotsman
BuilderHarland and Wolff, Belfast
Yard number964[1]
Launched11 March 1936
Completed29 May 1936[1]
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[2]
Troops830
Complement236
Armament

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.[2]

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)[3] : 274  and then MV Apollo.[3]: 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.[3]: 270–274 

  1. ^ a b McCluskie, Tom (2013). The Rise and Fall of Harland and Wolff. Stroud: The History Press. p. 145. ISBN 9780752488615.
  2. ^ a b Mason, Geoffrey B. (2010). "HMS Royal Scotsman, LSI". Service Histories of Royal Navy Warships in World War II. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  3. ^ a b c Miller, Russell (1987). Bare-faced Messiah : The True Story of L. Ron Hubbard. Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 0805006540. OL 26305813M.