The Elisabethville is one of five similar 16k-knot liners of the Compagnie Maritime Belge built to replace the pre-war fleet of five ships, all of which were lost during the war. She was launched from the yard of John Cockerill at Hoboken, Antwerp, on April 10, 1948 and is in service between Antwerp and Matadi, Belgian Congo. She is 479ft. long, with a beam of 64.8ft., and depth of 34ft., giving her a gross tonnage of 10,901. Accommodation is provided for 179 passengers including 40 children. The passenger quarters are on three decks, B deck having single and two-berth cabins, each with a private bathroom, for 14 passengers and eight children; C deck has cabins for one, two, three or four people, each room having an adjoining toilet and shower, for a total of 54 passengers and 21 children, while D deck accommodation provides for 72 passengers and 39 children, in cabins similar to C deck but without the adjoining toilets. Hot and cold water is supplied to all cabins. There is a terrace cafe on B deck and a swimming pool on A. The ship's propelling machinery comprises a double-acting 2-stroke CockerillB and W. engine having eight cylinders with a diameter of 590mm., and a stroke of 1,250mm., the output being 9,250 b.h.p. at 115 r.p.m.
SG1444 Sea Breezes 11/55