| Original caption: “Arrival of the first ships at Malta: The Rochester Castle proceeds to her berth in Grand Harbor, Valletta.” The Royal Malta Artillery band plays from the ramparts of Fort St Elmo to welcome the surviving ships of Operation Pedestal, including Steamship Rochester Castle. She had been hit amidships by a torpedo, but the damage was contained – although here she can be seen sitting low in the water. Operation Pedestal, known in Malta as the l-Konvoj ta’ Santa Marija (“Santa Maria Convoy”) resupplied Malta in August 1942. 5 of 14 cargo ships reached Malta. The Axis tried to interdict the convoy, sinking aircraft carrier HMS Eagle and damaging many other Royal Navy ships. Steamship Rochester Castle was built by Harland and Wolff of Belfast, Ireland and delivered on April 29, 1937. She was a refrigerated cargo ship built for the Union-Castle Line. As part of Operation Pedestal, SS Rochester Castle entered the Mediterranean on the night of August 10, 1942. After many torpedo and air attacks, SS Rochester Castle, SS Port Chalmers and SS Melbourne Star entered Grand Harbor at 1825 Hours on August 13. Rochester Castle was heavily damaged and needed months of repair work. The ship was berthed in French Creek. The ship stayed in Malta until November 1942, ongoing repairs to make her seaworthy. She sailed for Alexandria, Egypt, then around the Cape of Good Hope, and on to New York for major repairs. Lieutenant Herbert Ernest Cook (???? – ????) official War Office photographer, captured maneuvers in the United Kingdom before heading to Malta to photograph the siege. | |
| Image Filename | wwii0702.jpg |
| Image Size | 385.24 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2305 x 1862 |
| Photographer | Herbert E. Cook |
| Photographer Title | War Office official photographer |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | August 13, 1942 |
| Location | Grand Harbor |
| City | Valletta |
| State or Province | |
| Country | Malta |
| Archive | Imperial War Museum |
| Record Number | GM 1430 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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