Europa
1939
(Mercator M-513)
- Type: Passenger
- Displacement: 49,746 tons
- Dimensions: 937 x 102 x 34 ft.
- Machinery: Geared steam turbines, quadruple screw, 130,000 SHP = 27 knots
- Passengers: 2024 (687 first class, 524 second class, 306 tourist class,
507 third class)
- Crew: 970
- Builder: Blohm & Voss Shipbuilders, Hamburg, Germany, 1930
- Service: Europa built for North German Lloyd's Bremerhaven-New York service. Launched 15 Aug 1928, a day before Bremen, but badly damaged by a shipyard fire, 26 Mar 1929, delaying completion until 22 Feb 1930. Departing on her maiden voyage 19 Mar, she averaged 27.91 knots between Cherbourg and Ambrose, thus winning the Blue Riband from Bremen, which she held until 1933. Her funnels were originally shorter, but later raised as shown here.
On outbreak of WW2 in 1939, Europa became a naval accommodation ship at Bremerhaven. In 1940 she transferred to Hamburg to be fitted out for the planned invasion of England, but the refit was canceled because of stability issues and she returned to Bremerhaven. In 1942 plans were prepared for conversion to an aircraft carrier, but they were never carried out.
Seized by American forces in May 1945 and used as troopship USS Europa. Given over to France, Jun 1946, and assigned to CGT; renamed Liberté. While laid up at Le Havre, during a storm she broke away from her moorings, ran into the overturned wreck of the French liner Paris, and sank 8 Dec 1946. Raised and repaired, 1947-50. Entered Le Havre-New York service Aug 1950 at 51,839 GRT, with accommodations for 569 first class, 562 cabin class, 382 tourist class. Sold for breakup Dec 1961; scrapped in Italy, 1962.
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