MS Augustus (1926)

Navigazione Generale Italiana

Industry	Shipping, Ocean liners
Founded	1926
Headquarters	Italy

Overview

MS Augustus was a hybrid vessel serving as both an ocean liner and a cruise ship, constructed in 1926 for the Navigazione Generale Italiana (NGI). Primarily, she operated on transatlantic routes connecting Europe with South and North America, standing out as one of the largest and fastest liners regularly navigating these crossings.

At the time she was built, Augustus held the distinction of being the largest motor ship worldwide and continues to be recognized as the biggest quadruple-screw, diesel-powered ocean liner ever constructed. Following the amalgamation of Navigazione Generale Italiana with Lloyd Sabaudo and Cosulich Line, she, along with her steam turbine-powered sister ship SS Roma, was transferred to the newly formed Italian Line.

During World War II, the vessel underwent conversion by the Regia Marina into an aircraft carrier, initially receiving the name Falco and later renamed Sparviero. Meanwhile, her sister ship Roma was transformed into the carrier Aquila. Neither ship saw active combat service in their aircraft carrier roles. In 1944, after being seized by German forces occupying Italy, Augustus was deliberately sunk on 25 September as a blockship to obstruct access to the port of Genoa. Post-war efforts led to her salvage in 1947, and she was eventually dismantled for scrap in 1951.

Career as an Ocean Liner

After the conclusion of World War I, numerous shipping firms planned to commission new ocean liners once financial resources permitted. Navigazione Generale Italiana opted to construct two vessels exceeding 30,000 gross registered tons for service in the postwar period. The first of these was the Roma, launched in 1926. The second vessel was launched in December 1926 at the Ansaldo Shipyard and was named Augustus by Edda Mussolini, daughter of the dictator Benito Mussolini. Following outfitting, she embarked on her maiden voyage on 10 November 1927. The ship’s interiors were adorned in a Baroque style. At the time, Augustus was the largest passenger ship powered by diesel engines, while her sister ship utilized geared steam turbines. Measuring approximately 215 meters in length, she was designed to accommodate 1,675 passengers.

The Augustus served on the South American route, standing out as one of the fastest and largest liners on that corridor, whereas her sister ship operated across the North Atlantic. It was reported that the Augustus could complete the journey from Italy to South America in five days, maintaining an average speed of 22 knots. In 1932, under Mussolini’s directive, Navigazione Generale Italiana merged with other Italian shipping companies to establish the Italia Line. Consequently, the funnels of Augustus were repainted to reflect Italia Line’s branding. Beginning in 1933, following the economic impact of the Wall Street crash of 1929, she commenced 129-day world cruises. These voyages transported passengers from New York to various international ports and back within that timeframe. The Augustus continued its passenger operations until 1940.

Transformation into an Aircraft Carrier

Main article: Italian aircraft carrier Sparviero

At the start of World War II, both Augustus and Roma were taken out of active service but were soon requisitioned by the Italian Navy. Similar to her sister ship, Augustus underwent conversion into an aircraft carrier, initially renamed Falco and later known as Sparviero. However, before this conversion was finalized, Italy signed an armistice in 1943. Shortly afterward, both vessels fell under control of the National Republican Navy of the Italian Social Republic, a German-backed regime. In 1944, German forces assumed possession of these ships; on 5 October that year, Augustus was deliberately sunk to obstruct Allied access to Genoa’s harbor. Postwar efforts led to her salvage in 1947, followed by dismantling in 1951.

References

• Page at List of Italian Steamships (in Italian)