Albania II
Vessel Particulars
- Tonnage: 12,768 gross registered tons
- Length: 159.43 m (523.1 ft)
- Width: 9.5 m (64ft)
- Number of funnels: 1
- Number of masts: 4
- Hull material: Steel
- Propulsion: Single screw
- Powerplant: Steam turbines, double reduction
- Service speed: 13 knots
- Builder: Scott’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Scotland
- Launched: 17 April 1920
- Passenger accommodation: 500 cabin class
Service Career
Albania was Cunard’s first newbuild after World War I. Named for the first Cunard Albania (1911-1912) the ship was built in Scotland. The ship was largely designed to carry cargo and mails, yet offered 500-passengers cabin class accommodation, making her a combination-liner.
The ship undertook her maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York on 19 January 1921. Albania operated a regular service from the UK to Halifax and New York, later being scheduled to sail to Quebec and Montreal. In 1922 the ship was repurposed for the Liverpool to Boston and New York run.
In 1924, Albania made Cunard’s first ever mainline visit to Australia, calling at Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Fremantle. During her Australian voyages, her saloon was converted to allow the ship to carry large quantities of Australian wool.
The following year she ran on the London to New York service, with calls at Southampton and Cherbourg. Her final Cunard voyage set sail on 27 August 1925. Albania was laid up until 1930 when she was sold to the Italian Navigazione Libera Triestina line, and renamed California. Here, she ran on the lengthy Trieste to Seattle route.
During World War II, the ship was used as a hospital ship by the Italian military. She was sunk by British bombers near Sicily on 11 August 1941 and lost. There was one casualty. The wreck was later salvaged and sent to scrap.
Image: Albania, CC.0 Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons. License Info.
