Matang

[Emlyn]

My parents travelled from Britain to Penang in 1934 on a vessel "Matang".
What is the correct descriptor of this vessel? MV, SS ? ?
Thanks Emlyn

[Steamer]

I have found one reference to the Straights Steamship Company vessel MATANG as TSS. The meaning of TSS can be either "twin screw steamship" or "turbine steam ship" or both. I could not find anything else about the ship or its builders so can't give a good reference. If you can find some records from Straights Steamship from the 1960s you might be able to construct a fuller history of the ship. Try these links:

http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2657074

Scroll down on this link to find a photo of Matang.

http://www.merchantnavyofficers.com/straits2.html



The boat had an interesting history. When the Japanese threatened Singapore, the ship was one of several that escaped across the Indian Ocean to India and Africa. Matang was stationed in West Africa and carried troops and war equipment up the rivers.

The ship was finally sent to the breakers in 1963 so the old girl had a long and interesting life.

Good luck finding more information.

[Emlyn]

I have found one reference to the Straights Steamship Company vessel MATANG as TSS. The meaning of TSS can be either "twin screw steamship" or "turbine steam ship" or both. I could not find anything else about the ship or its builders so can't give a good reference. If you can find some records from Straights Steamship from the 1960s you might be able to construct a fuller history of the ship. Try these links:

http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2657074

Scroll down on this link to find a photo of Matang.

http://www.merchantnavyofficers.com/straits2.html



The boat had an interesting history. When the Japanese threatened Singapore, the ship was one of several that escaped across the Indian Ocean to India and Africa. Matang was stationed in West Africa and carried troops and war equipment up the rivers.

The ship was finally sent to the breakers in 1963 so the old girl had a long and interesting life.

Good luck finding more information.

Sorry I have taken so long to reply. Thankyou for your help. Emlyn