SS Joys

The term "SS Joys" refers to a series of coastal passenger ships operated by the Straits Steamship Company Limited (later Straits Steamship Company) primarily in Southeast Asia from the early to mid-20th century. These vessels played a significant role in regional transport, connecting various ports and facilitating trade and passenger movement throughout the Malay Archipelago and beyond. While the specific number of "Joys" ships varied over time due to additions, sales, and losses, they were known for their distinctive names, each ending with the suffix "Joys," such as Sea Joys, Isle Joys, and River Joys. They served various functions including carrying cargo, mail, and passengers, becoming integral to the social and economic fabric of the region before the advent of widespread air travel and improved road infrastructure. Some vessels were requisitioned for military service during World War II and suffered various fates, including sinking due to enemy action. The surviving SS Joys ships were eventually retired or sold off as transportation landscapes changed in the latter half of the 20th century.