Postcard of the Transylvania
History
United Kingdom
NameRMS Transylvania
NamesakeTransylvania
OwnerAnchor Line
BuilderFairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Govan, Glasgow
Launched11 March 1925
In serviceSeptember 1925
Out of serviceAugust 1939
FateAcquired by the Royal Navy
United Kingdom
NameHMS Transylvania
OperatorRoyal Navy
AcquiredAugust 1939
Commissioned5 October 1939
IdentificationPennant number: F56
FateTorpedoed and sunk 10 August 1940
General characteristics
TypeOcean Liner
Tonnage16,923 GRT
Length552 ft (168 m)
Beam70.2 ft (21.4 m)
Propulsiontwin steam turbine engines
Speed15.5 knots (28.7 km/h; 17.8 mph)
Armament

RMS Transylvania was a British Ocean Liner. She was launched on 11 March 1925 for the Anchor Line and was the sister ship to the SS California, and RMS Caledonia. She was converted into an armed merchant cruiser, pennant F56 during World War II. On 10 August 1940, HMS Transylvania was torpedoed and sunk by the German U-boat U-56.[1]

History

Construction

Transylvania was built in Glasgow, Scotland, by the Fairfield company, Yard No. 595. She was 552 feet (168 m) long and 70.2 feet (21.4 m) wide. The liner had twin propellers with a service speed of 15.5 knots (28.7 km/h; 17.8 mph).[2] Transylvania had three funnels but only required one; three funnels were more visually appealing and attracted more passengers than her similar-looking fleetmates which only had one funnel each.[2]

Ocean Liner Career

Transylvania was completed on 2 September 1925 and sailed from Glasgow to New York on her maiden voyage ten days later. Transylvania could carry 279 passengers in First Class, 344 in Second Class and 800 in Third Class for a total of 1,423 people. On 28 March 1929, Transylvania ran aground in the fog at La Coeque Rocks, 10 nmi (19 km; 12 mi) west of Cherbourg. In Cherbourg, she disembarked her passengers and then sailed to the Clyde for repairs. In 1930, there was a change in ship passenger accommodation with the increase in international tourism.[3]

Second World War

In September 1939, the liner was requisitioned by the Royal Navy as an armed merchant cruiser and Transylvania was assigned to the 10th Cruiser Squadron and served in the Northern Patrol, which was responsible for the naval blockade against the Germans. On 10 August 1940, off Malin Head, Ireland, she was torpedoed by U-56. Transylvania was towed by the stern but sank before reaching land. A total of 36 people died.[4] The wreck lies at a depth of 134 m (440 ft) about 30 nmi (56 km; 35 mi) north of Tory Island.

References

  1. ↑ "Transylvania (2), Anchor Line". Norway Heritage.
  2. 1 2 "HMS Transylvania (F56)". Wreck site.
  3. ↑ "S.S. TRANSYLVANIA". Technical and historical data.
  4. ↑ "HMS Transylvania (F56)". uboat.net. Retrieved 21 November 2010.

Bibliography

  • Osborne, Richard; Spong, Harry & Grover, Tom (2007). Armed Merchant Cruisers 1878–1945. Windsor, UK: World Warship Society. ISBN 978-0-9543310-8-5.

55°47′06″N 8°13′12″W / 55.785°N 8.22°W / 55.785; -8.22 (Location of the wreck of the RMS Transylvania (1925))

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