THE BRITISH KING / WERKENDAM / HARBIN

BUILT IN 1881 BY HARLAND AND WOLFF AT BELFAST FOR THE BRITISH SHIP OWNERS CO. SHE WAS 3325 GROSS TONS AND THE SISTER SHIP TO THE 'BRITISH QUEEN '. SHE HAD AN ENGINE RATED AT 400 HP, BUILT BY J JACK & CO OF LIVERPOOL.

 IN 1883 SHE WAS CHARTERED TO SHAW SAVILL & ALBION FOR FOUR TRIPS FROM LONDON TO NEW ZEALAND.

IN 1889 SHE WAS SOLD TO  THE HOLLAND-AMERIKA LINE AND RE-NAMED 'WERKENDAM'.

 IN 1900 SHE WAS SOLD TO THE RUSSIANS WHO RE-NAMED HER 'HARBIN'. IN 1904 SHE WAS SCUTTLED AT THE ENTRANCE TO PORT ARTHUR HARBOUR TO PREVENT THE JAPANESE FROM GAINING  ACCESS TO THE HARBOUR.