Hawthorn Leslie and Company
In 1925, British India Line ordered two new ships for its Madras – Nagapatam – Singapore service. They were sister ships but were built by different shipyards and had different engines. Hawthorn Leslie and Company built "Rohna" at its shipyard at Hebburn on Tyneside. Barclay, Curle and Company built in Glasgow on Clydeside. Both ships were launched and completed in 1926.