Britanis
1990
(Albatros AL-158a)
- Type: Passenger
- Displacement: 18,254 tons
- Dimensions: 632 x 79 x 28 ft.
- Machinery: Geared steam turbines, twin screw, 28,800 SHP = 22 knots
- Passengers: 1,655 all one class
- Builder: Bethlehem Steel Co., Quincy, Massachusetts, 1932
- Service: Built as Monterey, first of three sisters built for Matson Line (U.S. flag) Pacific service. Operated by a subsidiary, Oceanic Steamship Co, on trips across the South Pacific to Australia and New Zealand along with sister Mariposa, while the younger Lurline stayed mostly on the California-Hawaii run. All were taken into service as transports in Dec 1941 and returned in mid-1946. The older two were laid up at Alameda in 1947, while the Lurline underwent extensive restoration before resuming Hawaiian service in May 1948.
The Monterey was revived in 1956, towed to Newport News for refurbishment, and recommissioned as Matsonia in 1957. She joined the Lurline in the Honolulu service, and then was renamed Lurline herself in 1963 when her sister was sold to Chandris Lines (Greek flag) and renamed Ellinis. Matson ended their Hawaii service in 1970 and the then Lurline, ex-Matsonia, ex-Monterey was also sold to Chandris Lines, being rebuilt as the Britanis shown here. Initially used in the Australia immigration service, she became a full-time cruise ship in 1975, then later a refugee accommodation center in Cuba in 1995. Laid up in Tampa. Sank off South Africa in Oct 2000 while under tow to scrappers in India.
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