Built as a fruit carrier under yard No 477 by Götaverken at Gothenburg, Sweden for Skibs A/S Wenoka, Oslo, Norway.
30 October 1933 launched as the CALIFORNIA EXPRESS.
Tonnage 3,649 gross, 2,219 net, 3,150 dwt. Dim. 107.22 x 14.4m., length bpp. 101.9m.
Powered by two oil engines, manufactured by Gotaverken, 4,200 shp, twin screws, speed 16 knots.
Accommodation for 12 passengers.
January 1934 delivered to owners.
After delivery managed by Skibs-A/S Fruit Express Line and used in the service from the Caribbean to the U.K./France and west coast of the U.S.
When World War broke out her voyages are given on this web-site http://www.warsailors.com/singleships/c ... press.html
After the war again used in the banana trade from the Caribbean to Europe.
1949 Sold to Polish British S.S. Co, Poland and renamed in CZECH.
1951 Transferred to the Polish Ocean Lines, Poland.
07 March 1953 she rescued 62 survivors from the Egyptian Navy minesweeper SOLLUM which foundered in a storm off Alexandria.
21 September 1961 collided with the Spanish ship PLUS ULTRA.
March 1965 sold for scrap and broken up in July 1965 at Gdansk.
Poland 1953 1.35Zl sg815, scott581.
Source: Register of Merchant Ships completed in 1934. The URL is given above and more sites on the Internet.