CITTA DI CATANIA ferry

[aukepalmhof]

Built as a passenger vessel under yard No 157 by Ansaldo, Armstrong & Co., Sestri Ponente, Italy for Ferrovie dello Stato (State Railway), Palermo.
Launched under the name CITTÁ DI CATANIA.
Tonnage 3.262 gross, 1.104 net, dim. 363.5 x 42.1 x 19.1ft., (my source gives depth)
Powered by three steam turbines, manufactured by the shipsbuilder, hp?, three screws, speed 20 knots.
June 1910 completed.

She was built as a fast passenger liner. Passenger accommodation was situated amidships in the upper deck in a build-up superstructure.
During World War II used as an auxiliary cruiser, displacement 3.313 ton. Armament 4 – 120mm. and 2 – 76mm. guns.
During a patrol in the northern end of the Strait of Otranto did the Austrian-Hungarian submarine U-3 under command of Lt. Cdr Karl Strnad attack her on the 12 August 1915. The attack was not successful; instead the submarine was rammed by the CITTA DI CATANIA and badly damaged. The submarine could not more submerge, and was the next day destroyed by the French destroyer BISSON’s gunfire, with the loss of 10 men.
December 1918 handed back to owners.
1926 Sold or transferred to Florio Soc. Italiana di Nav., Palermo.
1932 Sold or transferred to “Tirrenia” (Flotte Riunite Florio-Citra), Palermo.
1933 Used as transport ship for Italo Balbo’s seaplane flight from Rome to Chicago World’s Fair.
1937 Owned by “Tirrenia” Soc. Anon. Di Nav., Palermo.

During World War II used as a naval transport, until torpedoed and sunk by the submarine HMS UNRUFFLED under command of Lt. Cdr. J.Stevens on 3 August 1943, in position 40 43.30N and 18 04. 30E (8 miles 40º from Brindisi Signal Station,) voyage from Durazzo to Brindisi with troops.

Benin 1995 75f sg1287, scott750

Source: Log Book. Register of Merchant Ships completed in 1910. Dictionary of Disasters at Sea during the Age of Steam by Charles Hocking. Watercraft Philately CD-rom Ships on Stamps.
http://www.naval-history.net/WW1NavyAustrian.htm

(She is not mentioned in Merchant Ships of the World in Colour 1910-1929 by L. Dunn.)

[D. v. Nieuwenhuijzen]

(Niger 2000, 150 Fr. StG.?)