Although not a sailor myself, members of my family have been. My son-in-law, a chief engineer, at the moment is in Brazil (it is he who saves the Nautilus Telegraph for me). I didn't realise how hazardous it was for seamen until I began reading them. Corrupt owners – men unable to return home – loss of wages – accidents.
Going to sea always seemed an adventure, which I'm sure my grandmother thought when she left her daughter with her mother and sailed from Southampton in 1923 on the Empress of Scotland. I understand it was requisitioned after the First World War from Germany and renamed. She also travelled on the RMS Arlanza to Buenos Aires in 1927.
I would love to know more about the ships and thought you could help or point me in the right direction as I want to leave a record to my grandchildren, her great-great ones. I look forward to my next issue of the Telegraph and thank you in advance for your help.
Florece Lincoln
The editor responds: Thank you for your interest in the Telegraph. We are proud to cover both maritime news and material of wider interest to the maritime community, such as historic ships.
We will certainly consider the Empress of Scotland and the RMS Arlanza for future Ships of the past profiles, and meanwhile, readers who are knowledgeable about these vessels are very welcome to contact us at telegraph@nautilusint.org.
Do visit our interactive Ships of the past hub at www.nautilusint.org/ships-of-the-past.
More letters
Catch up with old Clan Line colleagues
The annual Clan Line reunion will take place this year at the Liner Hotel in Liverpool on Wednesday 1 October 2025.
The latest consequence of shortsighted policy-making
Having read the article about UK defence on your website, I thought it was spot on about needing to secure the future of the Merchant Navy if the government wants a defence capability.
Britain's WW2 government acknowledged Merchant Navy sacrifice
As you will know, this year marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day. I enclose a copy of a transmission, sent by telegraphy in May 1945, from the Admiralty to 'all ships', expressing the victory message to the Merchant Navy, from the minister of war transport.