| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | Royal Scotsman |
| Builder | Harland and Wolff, Belfast |
| Yard number | 964[1] |
| Launched | 11 March 1936 |
| Completed | 29 May 1936[1] |
| Acquired | October 1940 |
| Identification | IMO number: 5301394 |
| Honours and awards |
|
| Fate |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Landing Ship, Infantry |
| Tonnage | 3,244 gross register tons (GRT) |
| Length | 340 ft (100 m) o/a |
| Beam | 48 ft (15 m) |
| Draught | 17 ft (5.2 m) (deep) |
| Propulsion | 7,500 shp (5,593 kW) twin diesel engines[2] |
| Troops | 830 |
| Complement | 236 |
| Armament |
|
HMS Royal Scotsman, originally the MV Royal Scotsman, was an LSI of the British Royal Navy that served during World War II. A former passenger ferry, she saw action in the Mediterranean during the invasions of North Africa (Operation Torch), Sicily and Italy.[2]
The ship was later purchased in 1967 by the Church of Scientology, re-registered to Sierra Leone and renamed to the MV Royal Scotman (due to a transcription error)[3] : 274 and then MV Apollo.[3]: 291, 295 It served as the headquarters of the Church of Scientology, the founding flagship of the Sea Org, and the personal residence of L. Ron Hubbard until 1975.[3]: 270–274
- ^ a b McCluskie, Tom (2013). The Rise and Fall of Harland and Wolff. Stroud: The History Press. p. 145. ISBN 9780752488615.
- ^ a b c Miller, Russell (1987). Bare-faced Messiah : The True Story of L. Ron Hubbard. Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 0805006540. OL 26305813M.