Partition of India million became homeless. However, many argue that the British were forced to expedite the Partition by events on the ground. Once in office, Mountbatten quickly became aware that if Britain were to avoid involvement in a civil war, which seemed increasingly likely, there was no alternative to partition and a hasty exit from India. Law and order had broken down many times before Partition, with much bloodshed on both sides. A massive civil war was looming by the time Mountbatten became Viceroy. After the Second World War, Britain had limited resources, perhaps insufficient to the task of keeping order. Another
RMS Viceroy of India ship collided with her. The collision pushed the liner against a dockside crane, which she demolished. "Viceroy of India" herself escaped serious damage. Later in 1930 "Viceroy of India" twice assisted the Greek cargo steamer in the Bay of Biscay. In September she stood by when "Theodoros Bulgaris" cargo of grain shifted in storms and the Greek merchantman's crew were transferred to another vessel. On 31 December 1930 "Theodoros Bulgararis" sank and "Viceroy of India" rescued all of the crew. In September 1932, "Viceroy of India" set a new record time between London and Bombay of 17 days, 1 hour,