SS Otranto
From Our Contribution
 State Library of Victoria - SLV H91.108-2561 | |
 "Otranto" dry-docked at Southampton for repairs after hitting a rock 1926. SLV H99.220-1879 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | SS Otranto |
| Owner | Orient Steam Navigation Company |
| Builder | Vickers Armstrong, Barrow-in-Furness |
| Launched | 9 Jun 1925 |
| Completed | December 1925 |
| In service | 1926 |
| Out of service | 1957 |
| Fate | sold for scrap |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Ocean liner |
| Tonnage | 20,032 tons |
| Length | 192.6m |
| Beam | 22.9m |
| Depth | 11.43 m draught |
| Propulsion | Twin screw |
| Speed | 20 knots (37 km/h) |
| Capacity | 1,412 passengers (1948) |
Remarks
Soon after entering service, in 1926 the Otranto was damaged when she struck a rock at Cape Grosso, Greece during a heavy rainstorm. In August 1928 Otranto collided with the Japanese steamer Kitano Maru, heavily damaging her. On 4 Aug 1932 she collided with the Thames barge Why Not in the Thames Estuary at Thameshaven, Essex, England. 'The 'Why Not sank.
When World War II broke out in 1939 the Admiralty requisitioned Otranto and had her converted into a troop ship. She was modified in 1942 to carry landing craft as a Landing Ship Infantry (LSI), taking part in the invasion of French North Africa in late 1942, and the landings at Sicily and Salerno in 1943. She was subsequently reconverted back into a troop transport and served as such until released from government service in 1948.
Otranto then resumed her pre-war role as a passenger liner, now refitted to carry 1,412 tourist-class passengers. In February 1957 she made her final voyage, from the UK to Australia. She was sold for scrap in June 1957.