 The P&O ordered "Mongolia" from Sir W G Armstrong, Whitworth & Co. Ltd. of Newcastle upon Tyne on 22 November 1918, but construction was delayed by postwar refits of existing ships and she was not launched until 24 August 1922.After fitting out and sea trials the "Mongolia" was delivered to P&O on 26 April 1923.The ship cost an estimated £1 million.