The SS Clan Matheson, built in 1905 by Furness, Withy & Co. of Hartlepool, was a notable steamship employed primarily on routes connecting the United Kingdom with the East and colonies in the Indian Ocean and South Africa. As a steel-hulled vessel, she measured 400 feet in length (between perpendiculars) and 51 feet in beam, with a mean draft of 27 feet 2 inches. Her gross register tonnage was 4,775 GRT, and her net tonnage was 3,053 NRT. The ship was powered by a single triple-expansion steam engine rated at 448 nhp, driving a single screw propeller, which allowed her to reach speeds of up to 13 knots. Launched on 27 November 1905 and commissioned in March 1906, Clan Matheson was the second vessel of her name in the Clan Line. She was designed for transoceanic voyages, with her maiden voyage beginning in March 1906 from Birkenhead to India via the Suez Canal. Early service included routes from the UK to India, Ceylon, and Australia, with cargoes comprising wool, wheat, and various metals and raw materials. Throughout 1906 and 1907, Clan Matheson completed multiple trips, often stopping at key ports such as Port Said, Colombo, Madras, Chittagong, and Australian ports like Sydney and Melbourne. Her cargoes ranged from wool and wheat to metal concentrates, reflecting her role in supporting trade between Britain, India, and Australasia. In 1908, she was chartered by the American & Australian Line for cargo runs from New York to Australia, carrying general cargo, wire, steel rails, and shipments of wool from Australia and New Zealand back to Europe. Her service record demonstrates her versatility and importance in maritime trade during the early 20th century. The vessel's design and operational history highlight her significance within the Clan Line fleet, particularly in facilitating trade routes connecting Britain with its colonies and markets in Asia and the Pacific.

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