EMPRESS OF ASIA, commanded by Captain Samuel Robinson, sailed from Victoria on July 9th 1914 bound for the Orient on a regularly scheduled and typical commercial voyage. After arrival at Hong Kong war fears resulted in requisition by the Royal Navy and the ship was quickly converted into an Auxiliary Cruiser with the installation of eight 4.7” guns. A complement of Royal Navy Officers assumed command of the ship and only Officers with Royal Naval Reserve status were retained. The First Naval Captain was Commander C. Walcott who was succeeded by Commander P. Colomb. Samuel Robinson remained aboard as Navigational Officer.
The EMPRESS OF ASIA would not return to the Trans-Pacific mercantile trade until 1916.
For more information, see World War 1