HMS Tamar

The troop ship HMS Tamar arrived in Hong Kong in 1897 and remained in the British territory until it was scuttled (to avoid being used by the invading Japanese Imperial forces) during the Battle of Hong Kong during World War II in 1941.

History

HMS Tamar, a RN troop ship was built in Millwall and launched in Samuda, Poplar 1863 (3650 tons), was the fifth ship to bear this name since 1758 and named after a river in South-east England. The ship became the RN's base in the territory from 1887 to 1941. After World War II, the second Tamar base was created at the Wellington Barracks, vacated by the British Army. From 1959 to 1962, the third Tamar was established along Victoria Harbour on Hong Kong Island. The fourth Tamar was opened in 1962 and various buildings added, including the Prince of Wales Building in 1978. The fifth and last Tamar was relocated to Stonecutter's Island off Kowloon prior to the handover in 1997.

Following the departure of British forces in 1997, the Tamar basin was filled in and the PLA of The People's Republic of China occuppied the Prince of Wales Building (now Central Barracks).

See also

• British Forces Overseas Hong Kong
• Prince of Wales Building

• Military of Hong Kong

References

• HMS Tamar
• China Fleet
• Naval forces of the British Empire: Ships: Troopships: HMS Tamar, 1882
• White Ensign Red Dragon Editted by Commodore P J Melson CBE 1997