MS Stockholm (1940)
| Industry | Shipping, Ocean liners |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1920s |
| Headquarters | Sweden |
Area served | Transatlantic and cruise services |
| Hide header=title | Ship country=Second vessel (1941–1944) | Ship name=*1941: MS Stockholm
|
Ship owner=*1941: Swedish American Line
|
Ship operator= | Ship registry= | Ship route= | Ship ordered= | Ship builder=Cantieri Riuniti dell' Adriatico, Monfalcone, Italy[1] | Ship original cost= | Ship yard number=1203[1] | Ship way number= | Ship laid down= | Ship launched=10 March 1940[2][1] | Ship completed=October 1941[1] | Ship christened= | Ship acquired= | Ship maiden voyage= | Ship in service= | Ship out of service= | Ship identification= | Ship fate=Sunk by British aerial bombing near Trieste on 6 July 1944; dismantled in 1949[1] |
MS Stockholm refers to two closely similar ocean liners constructed by Cantieri Riuniti dell' Adriatico at Monfalcone, Italy, between 1936 and 1941 for the Swedish American Line.[2] Neither vessel ever entered operational service with the original commissioning company—the initial ship was completely destroyed by a fire during its build phase in 1938,[3] while the second was finalized in 1941 but promptly transferred to the Italian government for use as a troop transport. This second vessel operated under the names MS Stockholm and later MS Sabaudia, serving in the fleets of both the Regia Marina and the Kriegsmarine until it was sunk by British bombing raids near Trieste in 1944. It remains uncertain whether it was actively deployed as a troopship during its service.[1]
Concept and background
During the mid to late 1920s, the Swedish American Line gained significant recognition in transatlantic and cruise services with their two specially designed vessels, MS Gripsholm (1925) and MS Kungsholm (1928). In the mid-1930s, the company initiated plans for a new, larger vessel intended to replace one or more of their older ships. With an estimated size of around Template:GRT, this new ship would be almost 50% larger than the Kungsholm, which was then the largest ship in the SAL fleet. Despite its increased size, it was designed to accommodate only 1295 passengers, fewer than the 1544 capacity of the Kungsholm, reflecting changes in passenger profiles. Consistent with their previous custom-built vessels, the company opted to power this ship with diesel engines rather than the steam turbines commonly preferred by most transatlantic operators at that time. The vessel was expected to achieve a service speed of 19 knots, enabling faster crossings compared to earlier SAL liners. This new ship was named Stockholm, marking the second occasion SAL assigned this name to one of their vessels.
MS Stockholm (1938)
In November 1936, the Swedish American Line commissioned the construction of the new Stockholm from Cantieri Riuniti dell' Adriatico in Italy, with delivery scheduled for March 1939. She was launched on 29 May 1938 from dry dock and subsequently moved to a fitting-out berth.
On the night of 19 December 1938, an unexplained fire broke out aboard the Stockholm while she was still in her fitting-out berth. Firefighting efforts were severely impeded by strong winds and hazardous smoke emissions. As a result, firefighters resorted to applying water externally in an attempt to extinguish the blaze. The substantial volume of water used ultimately undermined the vessel's stability, causing her to sink at her berth. Following inspection of the damaged hull, it was determined that aside from some engine parts, the ship was irreparable and had to be dismantled. Components that could not be salvaged were scrapped by 1939.
MS Stockholm (1941)
Although the nearly finished vessel was lost, the Swedish American Line remained determined to proceed with their replacement ship.[4] Following discussions with the shipyard, it was agreed that Cantieri Riuniti dell' Adriatico would commence building a new ship also named Stockholm, utilizing the original design plans. The construction incorporated salvaged components from the charred remains of the previous ship as well as equipment that had not yet been installed.[5][6]
The new Stockholm was launched on 10 March 1940, at a time when World War II was already underway in Europe. Despite the ongoing conflict, construction continued, and the vessel was completed and ready for handover in October 1941.[1][4] After successfully completing sea trials in Swedish American Line colors, the company ultimately chose not to accept delivery—the war had halted transatlantic operations, and concerns existed over safely transferring the ship from Italy to neutral Sweden.[7] Consequently, on 3 November 1941, the Stockholm was sold to the Italian government, renamed MS Sabaudia, and converted for use as a troop transport.[1]
Service history
Details regarding the wartime role of Sabaudia remain unclear. While she underwent conversion to serve as a troopship, specific information about her capacity or operational deployments is lacking. Many sources suggest she operated under the Regia Marina as a troop transport without detailing particular missions,[2][8][4] whereas other accounts claim she remained laid up at Trieste following conversion.[1]
Following Italy's armistice with the Allies on 8 September 1943 and subsequent German occupation of Italy, the Germans assumed control of Sabaudia on 9 September.[1] Her exact function under German command is uncertain—she may have been employed as a troopship,[4] or alternatively used as stationary accommodation for German troops in Trieste.[1]
During an Allied bombing raid on Trieste on 6 July 1944, Sabaudia sustained damage and caught fire.[8][1][4] She capsized and sank the following day,[1] although some reports suggest she might have been deliberately scuttled by German forces.[2] Upon learning of Sabaudia’s loss, Swedish American Line decided against commissioning Cantieri Riuniti dell' Adriatico for a replacement vessel. Instead, they contracted Götaverken in Gothenburg, Sweden to construct a smaller ship, leading to the launch of the fourth Stockholm (which remains under dismantling as of 2025). The wreck of Sabaudia was salvaged in 1948 and scrapped by 1949.[8][1][4]
Exterior design
The Stockholm featured a modern and somewhat sleek exterior profile. Its forward superstructure exhibited a rounded shape, initially rising one deck above the bow level beneath the forward mast, then ascending an additional two decks further aft. In the 1938 version, the bridge was positioned on a distinct deck at the vessel's highest point, whereas in the 1941 iteration, it was relocated down by one deck, enhancing the ship's streamlined silhouette. This lower placement of the bridge, combined with other design elements, gave the 1941 Stockholm an appearance reminiscent of a smaller counterpart to North German Lloyd’s celebrated 1929 and 1930 Blue Riband holders SS Bremen and SS Europa.
Interior design
For the interior arrangement of their new liner, Swedish American Line employed an axial configuration featuring a broad central corridor. This layout was enabled by dividing the funnel uptakes, a design successfully implemented on the French liners SS l'Atlantique and SS Normandie. On Stockholm, this concept was applied with even greater functional efficiency than on earlier vessels. Author Philip Dawson commended the interior plan as "remarkably straightforward," suggesting that had she entered commercial service, she would have been "a great success." Reflecting SAL’s aesthetic preferences seen in their 1928-built Kungsholm, the Stockholm’s interiors embraced a modernist art deco style.
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ Dawson (2005). p. 95
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Cite error: Invalid
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