MV Oceania (1932)
| Industry | Shipping, Ocean liner service |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1933 |
| Headquarters | Genoa , Italy |
| Products | Ocean liners, troop transports |
MV Oceania was an Italian ocean liner that was sunk by torpedoes from the British submarine HMS Upholder (P37) in the Mediterranean Sea near Tripoli, Libya, Italian Libya (33°02′N 14°42′E / 33.033°N 14.700°E) on 18 September 1941. The vessel was en route from Taranto, Italy to Tripoli, transporting Italian military personnel to support operations in the North African campaign.
Construction
The Oceania was constructed at the Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico shipyard located in Monfalcone, Italy, and completed in 1933 for the Genoa-based company Italia Società Anonima di Navigazione (Italian Line). Measuring 179.7 metres (590 ft), the ship featured a beam of 23.4 metres (77 ft) and a depth of 13.9 metres (46 ft). It had a gross register tonnage of Template:GRT and was powered by four FIAT 2 SCAS eight-cylinder diesel engines, each driving one of four propellers. The vessel was capable of achieving speeds up to 19.5 minutes (1,170 s) knots and developed a total of 4,888 nhp. The Oceania had a sister ship named Error: {{Ship}} missing name (help).
Wartime service and sinking
In June 1941, both Oceania and her sister vessel Neptunia were converted into troop transports. On 31 August 1941, while part of a convoy east of Tripoli, both ships were targeted by the British submarine Template:HMS Upholder which launched four torpedoes from a considerable distance; however, none struck their marks and the convoy reached Tripoli without incident.
Later, during another well-defended convoy voyage from Taranto to Tripoli carrying Italian troops for the North African campaign, the ships encountered a coordinated submarine ambush approximately 112 kilometres (70 mi) northeast of Tripoli on 18 September 1941. At about 4:10 pm, Neptunia was hit by two torpedoes and sank shortly after. Later that day, Oceania was also torpedoed but initially remained afloat. Two destroyers from the escort group began towing the damaged liner for repairs. Nevertheless, the submarine Template:HMS Upholder fired two additional torpedoes at Oceania, both successfully striking their target and causing her to sink within eight minutes. Rescue efforts saved approximately 5,395 survivors from both vessels, while it is estimated that around 384 individuals perished aboard Oceania.
Wreck
The remains of Oceania are thought to rest near 33°02′N 14°42′E / 33.033°N 14.700°E. Nonetheless, the exact location of the wreck has not been confirmed.