Geograph - photograph every grid square

This liner was one of a number of ships owned by the Union Castle Line. Named after Stirling Castle in Scotland, she was built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, and launched July 1935. She left Southampton on her maiden voyage on 7 February 1936. In August of that year, Stirling Castle set a new record for the route, reaching Table Bay in 13 days 9 hours, beating the previous record of 14 days, 18 hours, and 57 minutes set by SS Scot in 1893. During World War II, Stirling Castle was used as a troopship, returning to passenger service in 1946. She was broken up in Japan in 1966. The photograph was taken from the public pier provided for the purpose of viewing liners leaving Southampton for all parts of the world. On the day this photograph was taken the "Stirling Castle" was leaving for South Africa.