Click
the logo above to reach the ssMaritime FrontPage for News Updates
& “Ship of the Month”
With
Reuben Goossens
Maritime
Historian
Flotta
Lauro Lines
TN
Sydney & Roma
These two ships entered the
SS Sydney laid down in
SS Roma was laid down in 1942 at the
The
SS Atheling (later the Roma) being rebuilt into an aircraft
carrier
Author’s
private collection
Like quite a few ships, it was during their building as C3 cargo ships, both ships were transferred under the “Lend Lease Agreement” to the British Royal Navy and they were thus completely redesigned and built to become escort aircraft carriers.
These
ships did change in appearance during the war as their usage
altered
Above we see the H.M.S. Fencer, which became the TN Sydney
Author’s private collection
After a successful tour of duty, both HMS
Fencer and HMS Atheling were both returned to the US Navy in
December 1946 and they were laid up in the Reserve Fleet at
In due course many of these sturdy ships were purchased by European Countries and were converted into migrant ships, taking their human cargoes to the US, Canada, South Africa & America, as well as Australia and New Zealand. Many of these ships were austere in the extreme, whilst others became handsome liners with excellent facilities such as the Roma and Sydney which offered the ultimate in comfort!.
Both Atheling and Fencer were purchased by Lauro Lines to be rebuilt as modern passenger liners. Unlike other C3 ships, both Sydney (Fencer) and Roma (Atheling) were rebuilt as classy looking two class liners.
Early
artist impression of the new Lauro ships
Specifications
Sydney & Roma
Tonnage:
Length:
150m (493ft)
Width:
21m (69ft)
Draft:
2.7m (29ft)
Engines:
D.R.G. Steam Turbines (9350 SHP)
Screws:
Single
Service
speed:
17 knots
Passenger
decks:
6
Passengers:
1951 - 92 First - 680 Tourist Class
1960 – 119 First – 994 Tourist Class
Crew:
276
Livery:
White
First
class occupied two of the superstructure decks, whilst Tourist
had three decks below. Both classes had a large range of public
rooms featuring décor and furnishings that had that touch of
Italian flair and style. Each had their own pool and open-air
cinemas. First class accommodations had single and two berth
cabins, some with private facilities. Tourist had mostly two,
three or four berth cabins, a few having six to eight berths.
Both ships had two holds forward and one aft.
This
popular postcard was sold onboard
TN
Roma departed on her maiden voyage from
TN
Roma arriving in
Photograph
by L.J. Baee
TN
Sydney departed from
A
superb photo of the TN Sydney
Photograph
by and © T. Y. Freeman
Her
main duties to
The
Giorgio Gazzea family sailed on the TN Roma from
Kindly
provided by Dennis Gazzea (born in the
From
July to September 1953 the
Above:
A Passage Ticket for the Gappiello Family, who sailed on the
Roma, departing
Provided
by Mr. Gappiello
TN
Roma seen at Nr. 7 Station Pier Melbourne
Photographer
unknown - *Please photo notes at bottom of page
A
1964/65 fares and sailing schedule
Provided
by past Roma passenger, Mr. Gappiello
Roma
returned to the Australian service in December 1956. During
sailings southward their Tourist Class was mostly filled with
assisted emigrants Downunder, but also having some full fare
paying holiday makers in both First and Tourist classes. Whilst
sailing Northward these ships were popular as tourist liners
filled with Italian and other nationalities heading home visiting
their families or Australian’s visiting the “Mother
Country” England and those heading for adventure to tour the
UK and Europe.
A
fine view of SS Roma
Generally:
Genoa/Naples
TN
Roma off the coast of
Photographer unknown - *Please photo notes at bottom of page
In
1963, Roma and Sydney was already in competition with a multitude
of ships, including the very popular the Royal Dutch Mail liners,
the MS Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (JVO), MS Oranje and the MS
Willem Ruys, then with the JVO sold, but the latter two having
been totally rebuilt into the modern Angelina Lauro and Achille
Lauro the Roma was placed on a three year service from Naples to
New York.
Then
in 1966 both Roma and Sydney were redeployed to the
Photographer
unknown - *Please photo notes at bottom of page -
After
the demise of the Roma,
Artist
impressions of ships were quite common in the 50’s
**************************************
TN
Sydney & Roma INDEX:
Page One … First Class photo album.
Page
Two
Page
Three
Page Four …
A Voyage description -
Page
Five …
Mr. Uma Shankar Jaiswal sails from Bombaii to
**************************************************
or go to our
Who is the Author of ssMaritime?
Commenced
in the passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960
Also
visit my …
“Save The
Classic Liners Campaign” & “Classic Ocean Voyages”