SS Albania was a cargo liner laid down in 1914 by Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company Ltd. Greenock, Scotland for the Cunard Line. Owing to the First World War, she wasn't completed until 1920. Designed to maximize cargo capacity, passenger accommodations were limited to the shelter and "tween" decks. Originally intended for the Liverpool New York run, she was transferred in April of 1922 to the Canadian route. Ultimately the vessel proved a disappointment for Cunard, being too small to operate effectively as a passenger liner and too big for a freighter,[1] and was laid up in 1925 until purchased in 1930 by the Italian company Liberia Triestina who renamed her SS California.[2][3] She was converted for use as a hospital ship in 1935.[citation needed]

SS Albania
History
United Kingdom
NameSS Albania
OwnerCunard Line
OperatorCunard Line
Port of registryLiverpool
RouteLiverpool to New York (After 1922 Liverpool - Montreal Quebec)
BuilderScotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company Ltd. Greenock
Yard number479
Laid down1914
Launched17 April 1920
CompletedDecember 1920
Maiden voyage18 January 1921
In service1921
Out of service1925
FateSold 1930
History
Italy
NameSS California
OwnerLiberia Triestina
In service1930
Out of service1941
FateSunk 11 August 1941
General characteristics
TypeCargo liner
Tonnage12768
Length539 ft
Beam64 ft
Depth47 ft
Decks2
Installed powerFour steam turbines double reduction geared
PropulsionTwin screw
Speed15 knots
Capacity80 Cabin class passengers
Postcard of the Albania

Loss

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On 11 August 1941, California was torpedoed and sunk off Syracuse by a Fairey Swordfish aircraft of 830 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, operating out of Malta.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Wills, Elspeth (2010). The Fleet1840-2010. London: The Open Agency. p. 67. ISBN 9780954245184.
  2. ^ Cairis, Nicholas T. (1979). Passenger Liners of the World Since 1893. Bonanza Books. pp. 10. ISBN 0517-28875-3.
  3. ^ "SS Albania II". Norway Heritage Emigrant Ship Database. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  4. ^ "Naval Events, August 1941, Part 1 of 2, Friday 1st - Thursday 14th". Naval History. Retrieved 15 December 2011.