SS Sarpedon was a UK steam turbine passenger and refrigerated cargo liner launched in 1923.

[5] At the request of the UK Government the four ships were built with berths for 155 first class passengers for services to the Far East.

She had four steam turbines driving twin screws via single-reduction gearing,[2] which gave her a service speed of 15 knots (28 km/h).

[4] In the Second World War Patroclus, Hector and Antenor were requisitioned and converted into armed merchant cruisers, but Sarpedon remained in civilian service.

She called at Port Moresby in Papua in January 1942, shortly before the Japanese invasion of New Guinea.