| Name: | VITA |
| Type | Passenger Cargo Ship |
| Launched: | 24/08/1914 |
| Completed: | 17/10/1914 |
| Builder: | Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd |
| Yard: | Neptune Yard, Low Walker |
| Yard Number: | 934 |
| Dimensions: | 4691grt, 1955nrt, 390.2 x 53.3 x 24.0ft |
| Engines: | 2 x T3cyl (20.5, 35 & 60 x 45ins), 987nhp |
| Engines by: | Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd |
| Propulsion: | 2 x Screws, 12.5knots |
| Construction: | Steel |
| Reg Number: | 136321 |
| History: | |
| 09/10/1914 | British India Steam Navigation Co Ltd, Glasgow |
| 20/05/1949 | Broken up |
| Comments: | Accommodation for 32 x 1st class, 24 x 2nd class & 2694 x deck passengers |
| Built for the Bombay to Persian Gulf service. Cost £119,700 | |
| 17/10/1914: Commandeered as a troop ship | |
| 1916: Converted to a hospital ship with 405 x beds | |
| 1920: Requisitioned as as an Expiditionary Force transport | |
| 1922: Returned to owners | |
| 192x: Transferred to the Bombay to Karachi weekly express service | |
| 05/1940: Converted into HOSPITAL SHIP NO 8 with 240 x beds | |
| 14/04/1941: Disabled by a near miss from a German dive bomber whilst leaving Tobruk | |
| 21/04/1941: Towed as an empty ship to Alexandria for minor repairs | |
| Subsequently limped on one engine & without electricity to Bombay for repairs | |
| 09/04/1942: Returned to service in the Indian Ocean | |
| 05/1946: Returned to owners | |
| 20/05/1949: Broken up by Hindustan Iron Works at Bombay |
Above photo is courtesy of Tim Webb
Jarrow Express, Friday, 28/08/1914