SS Albania (II)
New Cunarder Albania -- Official Cunard Line Card
Built: 1921, Scott's, Greenock Yard No: 479
Funnels: 1 Masts: 4
Tonnage: 12,768 GRT
Dimensions: 164.3 x 19.5 m / 539 x 64 ft.
Engines: Geared turbines from Brown-Curtis-Scotts.
Twin Screw; 6,800 SHP; 13 kn.
Hull: Steel, 2 Decks and shelter deck, fcsle-86 ft.
Passengers: 480-Cabin Class
Crew: Not Listed
In 1914 the keel was laid down for a fourth 'A' class ship. Construction was then ceased during the war, but later continued on governmental order, as a freighter. After the war, Cunard planned passenger cabins for the steerage section. She was launched on April 17, 1920 and completed in December. The Albania made her maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York on January 18, 1921. On April 20, 1922 she made her first voyage on the Liverpool-Quebec-Montreal service. She was laid up during 1925. Since she was built with a large cargo capacity, she was not successful as an Atlantic liner. In January 1930 she was sold to Nav. Libera Triestina, Trieste and renamed California. Reconstruction of passenger accommodation resulted in: 130-1st Class, 30-2nd Class. Her tonnage was listed at 12,951 GRT. On December 11, 1930 she made her first voyage as the California from Genoa to Seattle. The California was refitted as a hospital ship during the Abyssinian War in 1935. In 1937, as a result of the state reorganization of Italian shipping, the Nav. Libera Triestina was dissolved. The California was now managed as a hospital ship by Lloyd Triestino. On August 11, 1940 she was sunk by British torpedo aircraft off Syracuse.
New Cunarder Albania -- Official Cunard Line Card
