Gerusalemme
1934
(Sextant SX-61)
- Type: Passenger / general cargo
- Displacement: 8,052 tons
- Dimensions: 443-8 x 53-2 x 25-3 ft
- Machinery: Steam turbine, twin screw = 13.5 knots
- Passengers: 195 (148 first class, 47 second class)
- Crew:
- Builder: CaCantiere San Rocco S. A., Trieste, 1920
- Service: Ordered for the Lloyd Triestino line, laid down 18 Apr 1914, launched 9 Oct 1915, but not delivered until 13 Nov 1920 as Cracovia. Renamed Gerusalemme 14 Mar 1934. She was initially operated on the India and Far East line, but from 1934 she began to operate between Europe and Palestine. In 1937 she was transferred to Adriatica di Navigazione (Venice). In Jun 1940 as Italy entered WWII, she escaped from Durban, South Africa, to the neutral port of Lourenco Marques in Portuguese East Africa, where she remained for three years. When Italy capitulated to the Allies in Sep 1943, she was handed over to the British. Taken up by the MOWT in Apr 1944 for a one-year conversion to a hospital ship (HMHS No. 67). Joined the Fleet Train of the British Pacific Fleet in Jul 1945. At end of war she helped repatriate POWs and provided medical services at Hong Kong, Singapore, Kure, etc., until returned to owners in Mar 1947. Gerusalemme operated between Europe and Palestine for Lloyd Triestino before being leased to Italia di Navigazione for service on the Genoa-Buenos Aires line and then on the Genoa-Durban line, via Suez. Considered obsolete, she was scrapped in 1952.
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