The SS Fatima was a notable cargo vessel, recognized for its historical significance as the first ship registered in Karachi, Pakistan, in 1948. Originally constructed in 1942 by Burn and Company in Howrah, Calcutta, the ship was initially built as a 'Basset' class naval trawler for the Royal Indian Navy, under the name SHILLONG with the pennant number T.250. During its military service, the vessel was engaged in anti-submarine and minesweeping operations, reflecting its role in naval defense. The ship’s propulsion system featured a triple-expansion steam engine manufactured by Lobnitz & Company, based in Renfrew, which powered her during her naval career. After World War II, the vessel was sold out of military service in 1947 and underwent conversion into a civilian cargo ship. The transformation prepared her for commercial duties, and in 1948, she was officially registered at the Port of Karachi on August 11, marking a significant milestone as the first ship to be registered in the newly established Pakistani maritime registry. Renamed SS Fatima in honor of Fatima Jinnah, the esteemed stateswoman and sister of Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the vessel served under the East & West Steamship Company. Her operational career as a cargo vessel symbolized the nascent maritime industry of Pakistan and played a role in establishing Karachi as a key port in the region. The SS Fatima remained in service until she was scrapped in March 1962, ending her nearly two-decade history. Her transformation from a naval trawler to a cargo vessel and her status as the first registered ship in Karachi underscore her maritime significance, representing both technological adaptability and the emergence of Pakistan’s maritime identity in the post-independence era.

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