Sitmar Ships

ssMaritime

With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian

The Sitmar Ships

Part One

Castel Bianco / Castel Verde

After World War II, Alexander Vlasov who had a long maritime history took over Sitmar Line. Thereafter all the ships of Sitmar Line featured the large V n their funnels. In 1949, Sitmar commenced a passenger service between Genoa and Sydney. The ship used for this purpose was the ex Victory class freighter, Vassar Victory. After a considerable rebuild she was renamed Castel Bianco and she soon headed Downunder. Sitmar gained popularity with passengers and in 1953 she was joined by another Victory freighter, which was renamed Castel Verde. These sister ships, although identical when built, could easily be identified, for Sitmar decided that the Caste Verde’s did not need such an extensive rebuild, which meant she was one deck lower.

1… Castel Bianco

Sitmar postcard of the Castel Bianco seen after her 1952 rebuild

Castel Bianco was built in 1945 for Maritime Commission as a 7,604 GRT (Gross Registered Tons) freighter. In 1947 Sitmar Line obtained her and had her rebuilt into a passenger ship for 480 passengers.

Seen after her first rebuild in 1947

A further rebuilding in Trieste took place in 1952, which increased her passenger capacity after which she could now transport 1,200 passengers. She operated on the Australian service as well in the Mediterranean, to the United States and South America. She and her sister Castel Verde became a popular sight in Sydney harbour.

After her 1952 rebuild she looked quite a modern ship for her time

Her main Lounge & her interiors had that typical Italian flare.

In 1957 she was sold to Cia Trasatlantica, Barcelona (Spanish Line) who reduced her passenger capacity to 830. On October 4, 1974 she suffered engine failure and she drifted for a number days, until a German tug, the Oceanic took her in tow to Bridgetown, Barbados. She remained laid up until her departure for Castellon Spain where she was broken up in 1975.

Specifications:

Tonnage: 10,139 GRT

Length: 138,7m

Beam: 18,9m

Built: 1945 Bethlehem-Fairfield, Baltimore, USA

Operator: Sitmar Line, Genoa

Speed: 15 knots

Passengers: 1,200 one class passengers

Former names: Vassar Victory

Sold to become: Spanish ship, Begoña

SPECIAL FEATURE

The Karlsson family sail for Canada

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2… Castel Verde

Original Sitmar postcard of the Castel Verde

Like Castle Bianco, Castel Verde was built in 1945 as a Victory class freighter. She was launched as the Wooster Victory and was sold to Vlasov in 1947. The company decided to retain her original name and she was operated on various charters until 1950, when she was renamed Castel Verde and she commenced on the Genoa and Central America route. In 1953 she was rebuilt with extra passenger accommodation, increasing in size from 7,607 GRT to 9,006 GRT.

Seen prior to her 1953 rebuild

As mentioned earlier, she was one deck lower than the rebuilt Castel Bianco, which was rebuilt one year earlier. As the Castel Verde, she returned to the Central American service, as well as a number of voyages to Australia. In 1957 she was sold to the Spanish Line and renamed Monserrat. She was finally scrapped in 1973.

The Dinning Room

Specifications:

Tonnage: 9,006 GRT

Length: 138,7m

Beam: 18,9m

Built: 1945 Bethlehem-Fairfield, Baltimore, USA

Operator: Sitmar Line, Genoa

Speed: 15 knots

Passengers: 1,033 passengers

Former names: Wooster Victory (1945)

Sold to become: Spanish ship, Montserrat (1957-73)

Postcard of the Castel Verde after being rebuilt again in 1953

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INDEX - The Sitmar Ships

Part One - Castel Bianco & Castel Verde

Part Two - Castel Felice

Part Three - Fairsky (1)

Part Four - Fairsea (1)

Fairsea Photo Page

Fairsky – Piet Mulder sails on SS Fairsky

Castle Bianco - The Karlsson family’s voyage

Other Sitmar Ships

Fairstar, ex Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire

Fair Princess - ex (P&O & Princess Cruise ship), Sitmar Fairland, Fairsea, Cunard Line Carinthia

China Sea Discovery, ex Fair Princess - August 2005 - China Sea Discovery was been sold to be broken up

Pacific Sky ex Princess Cruises Sky Princess, Sitmar Fairsky (2) – currently Pullmantur Cruises Sky Wonder (online soon)

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