SS Pfalz (1913)

The ship operating as HMT Boorara during the First World War
History
German Empire; Australia; Greece
NamePfalz
OperatorNorddeutscher Lloyd
Port of registryBremen (until 1914); Syra (after 1926)
RouteBremerhaven – Cape Town – Australia (for NDL)
BuilderBremer Vulkan
Yard number570
Launched8 November 1913
Completed19 December 1913
Renamed
  • HMT Boorara in 1914;
  • SS Nereus in 1926
Identification
  • Code Letters JGKW
  • (from 1926)
FateWrecked 1937
General characteristics
Class & typeRheinland-class cargo ship
Tonnage6,557 GRT
Length472.6 ft (144.0 m)
Beam59.2 ft (18.0 m)
Draught36.8 ft (11.2 m)
Installed power470 NHP
Propulsiontriple expansion steam engine built by North East Marine Engineering Co, Newcastle-upon-Tyne; single screw
Speed12.5 knots (23.2 km/h)

Pfalz was a 6,557-ton cargo steamer operated by German shipping company Norddeutscher Lloyd. The ship became the target of the first shot fired by Australian forces in World War I, soon after departing the Port of Melbourne in Australia.