liner CUBA

Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, 1923 - 1945

Design features

Cuba (steel liner) 1923 - 1945
hull material : ...................steel
previous name(s) of ship : ........
detailed type : ...................steel liner
type of propulsion : ..............2 propellers
building year of ship : ...........1923
name of shipyard : ................Swan, Hunter & W. Richardson
place of construction : ...........Newcastle on Tyne
year of entering the fleet : ......1923
length (in meters) : ..............144,22
width (in meters) : ...............18,97
gross tonnage (in tons) : .........11337
deadweight (in tons) : ............6122
type of engine : ..................Double reduction Rateau. 2 turbine sets
engine power (in HP) : ............9000
nominal speed (in Knots) : ........17

History

Entered in service in May 1923 on the line of Mexico. In 1930, is transferred on the line of Colon. During the Thirties, her hull will be repainted in white with a green strip. From 1935, is assigned, with COLOMBIE, to the "fast" line connecting Le Havre and Southampton to the West Indies and the "Firm Coast" (Coast of the Carribean sea and of the mexican Gulf), which she will serve until 1940. October 31, 1940, whereas she travels towards Casablanca, from Martinique, with nearly 1.300 passengers on board, she is intercepted by a British warship and seized. Placed under the control of Ministry of War Transport and managed by Cunard, she is used during the whole war like transport of troops, on many theaters of operations. April 6, 1945, whereas she was navigating in convoy towards Le Havre, she is torpedoed in the English Channel by the German submarine U1195 which in turn is sunk by destroyer HMS WATCHMAN.