MV Oceania in 1934.
History
Name	Oceania
Owner	Italia Societa Anonima di Navigazione
Builder	Cantieri Riuniti dell' Adriatico
Yard number	253
Launched	29 August 1932
Completed	July 1933
Acquired	July 1933
In service	July 1933
Out of service	18 September 1941
Identification	IBJK Official number: 340
Fate	Torpedoed and sunk on 18 September 1941
General characteristics
Type	Ocean liner
Tonnage	19,507 GRT
Length	179.7 m (589 ft 7 in)
Beam	23.4 m (76 ft 9 in)
Depth	13.9 m (45 ft 7 in)
Installed power	4 x 8 cyl. FIAT 2 SCAS diesel engines
Propulsion	Four screws
Speed	19.5 knots

MV Oceania was an Italian ocean liner that was torpedoed by the British submarine HMS Upholder in the Mediterranean Sea off Tripoli, Libya (33°02′N 14°42′E / 33.033°N 14.700°E / 33.033; 14.700) on 18 September 1941 while on route from Taranto, Italy to Tripoli, while carrying Italian troops to Northern Africa.^[1]

Construction

Oceania was built at the Cantieri Riuniti dell' Adriatico shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy and completed in 1933 for Italian Line (Italia Società Anonima di Navigazione) of Genoa. The ship was 179.7 metres (589 ft 7 in) long, had a beam of 13.4 metres (44 ft 0 in) and a depth of 13.9 metres (45 ft 7 in). It was assessed at 19,507 gross register tons (GRT) and had four 8-cylinder FIAT 2 SCAS diesel engines driving four screw propellers. The ship could reach a speed of 19.5 knots (36.1 km/h; 22.4 mph) and could generate 4,888 nhp. It had a sister ship named Neptunia.^[2]

War career and sinking

Oceania and her sister ship Neptunia were both converted to troop transport ships in June 1941. While sailing in a convoy east of Tripoli, Libya, on 31 August 1941, the sister ships were attacked by the British submarine HMS Upholder. The submarine fired four torpedoes from a large distance towards the ships, but all four failed to hit their targets. The ships arrived safely thereafter in Tripoli.^[3]

Oceania and its sister ship were part of another heavily guarded convoy, which left Taranto, Italy bound for Tripoli, while carrying Italian troops for the campaign in Northern Africa. On 18 September 1941, while 112 kilometres (70 mi) northeast of Tripoli, four submarines laid in wait to attack the convoy as its position had been discovered. Neptunia was struck by two torpedoes around 4.10pm and sank shortly thereafter, while Oceania was torpedoed later in the day, but stayed afloat. The damaged ship was taken in tow by two of the six accompanying destroyers so it could be taken in for repairs. However, Upholder fired two more torpedoes towards Oceania, both hit their target and the ship sank 8 minutes later. A total of 5,395 survivors from Neptunia and Oceania were rescued from the water, while 384 people are believed to have gone down with Oceania.^[3]

Wreck

The wreck of Oceania is believed to lay at 33°02′N 14°42′E / 33.033°N 14.700°E / 33.033; 14.700. However, the wreck has yet to be discovered.^[2]

References