MS Vulcania

The MS Vulcania was built by Cantiere Navale Triestino, Monfalcone, Italy in 1926 for the Italian company, Cosulich Line.

Characteristics

She was a 23,970 gross ton ship, length overall 631.4ft x beam 79.8ft, one funnel, two masts, twin screw and a speed of 19 knots. There was accommodation for 310-1st, 460-2nd, 310-intermediate class and 700-3rd class passengers. In 1930 her accommodation was altered to 1st, 2nd, tourist and 3rd class, and in 1692 to 1st, tourist and 3rd class only. In 1930 she was fitted with new diesel engines which gave her a speed of 21 knots and was rebuilt to a tonnage of 24,469 tons.

History

Launched on 18/12/1926, she sailed from Trieste on her maiden voyage to Patras, Naples and New York on 19/12/1928. In Dec.1936 she commenced her last Trieste - New York voyage for Cosulich Line and in 1937 went to the newly formed Italia Line. In March 1937 she commenced running from Trieste to New York and in March 1940 commenced her last sailing Trieste - Naples - New York - Trieste. She was requisitioned by the Italian government in 1941 to carry troops to North Africa and in 1942-3 was used on three special missions to repatriate women and children, Genoa - East Africa via South Africa. In Oct.1943 she became a US Troopship and on 29/3/1946 was chartered to American Export Lines to run between New York - Naples - Alexandria. She commenced her last voyage on this service on 4/10/1946 after 6 round voyages and was returned to Italia Line on 15/11/1946. She then sailed New York - Naples - Genoa where she was reconditioned to carry 240-1st, 270-cabin and 860-tourist class passengers. In July 1947 she made a single voyage from Genoa to S.America and then, on 4/9/1947 resumed the Genoa - Naples - New York service. On 21/9/1955 she commenced her last voyage on this run and on 28/10/1955 was transferred to run between Trieste, Venice, Patras, Naples, Palermo, Gibraltar, Lisbon, Halifax and New York. On 5/4/1965 she commenced her last voyage on this service and was sold to the Siosa Line who renamed her Caribia. On 18/9/1973 she arrived at Barcelona under tow to be scrapped and departed under tow for Kaohsiung for scrapping on 15/3/1974.

Technique

The ship was powered by one of the largest two stroke diesel engines of its times. The engine was of the double action type, i. e. diesel fuel was injected both above and below the piston; this naturally dictated the use of a crosshead. This technological masterpiece was described in several engineering manuals, for instance in Dante Giacosa's Motori a combustione interna, published by Hoepli.

External links

• Photos of the ship