The SS Rohilla was a British passenger steamer built in 1905 by Harland & Wolff in Belfast for the British India Steam Navigation Company. Designed primarily for service between the UK and India, she was a sister ship to the Rewa, differing mainly in propulsion systems; Rohilla was equipped with twin screws powered by quadruple expansion steam engines producing a total of 8,000 indicated horsepower, enabling her to achieve a speed of approximately 16.6 knots. The vessel’s design also allowed her to serve as a troopship, reflecting the dual-purpose intent of her construction amid growing competition in maritime routes. Named after the Rohilla Pashtun highlanders of Uttar Pradesh, Rohilla initially operated as a passenger liner and troopship, with her early service including troop transport and participation in notable events such as the Coronation Fleet Review, where she and her sister ship carried members of the British Parliament. She was also among the first BI ships to be fitted with wireless telegraphy in 1910. During World War I, Rohilla was requisitioned and converted into a hospital ship (HMHS Rohilla). Her service was short-lived, however. On 30 October 1914, while en route from South Queensferry to Dunkirk to evacuate wounded soldiers, she ran aground on Saltwick Nab, a reef near Whitby, during a fierce gale with unlit lighthouses due to wartime restrictions. The wreck caused her to break her back, leading to a tragic loss of life. Despite rescue efforts involving multiple lifeboats, 83 lives were lost, including crew and passengers, though 146 of the 229 on board survived, including Captain Neilson and a notable survivor, Mary Kezia Roberts. The disaster elicited significant maritime and rescue attention, with awards such as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's Gold Medal recognizing the bravery of rescuers. A monument commemorates those who perished in the tragedy, underscoring the vessel’s historical significance as both a passenger liner and a wartime hospital ship, and highlighting the perils faced by maritime operations during wartime.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.