S.S. Roma Passenger Vessel - History

A Christmas gift for a family member. This was the ship that brought him to Canada in 1955. Includes deck plans, menu and photographs of the first and second class decks.

1. S.S. ROMA 1955
© Copyright 2015 David Palmer

2. SS Roma
The ship entered the Italy – Canadian service in 1953 and managed to
set a whole new standard in migrant transportation, as it offered superi-
or surroundings. All Flotta Lauro liners had that something extra. It is
called a touch of “Italian Flair!”
SS Roma was not always a passenger liner. She was laid down in 1942 at
the Tacoma at the Seattle-Tacoma SB Corp. and was completed as an
Auxiliary Aircraft Carrier. Then was launched named “Glacier” on
September 7, 1942. And on July 31, 1943, she was officially commis-
sioned by the Royal Navy and she served in the British Navy having been
renamed HMS Atheling.
Like quite a few ships, it was during their building as C3 cargo ships,
both ships were transferred under the “Lend Lease Agreement” to the
British Royal Navy and they were thus completely redesigned and built
to become escort aircraft carriers.
Specifications
Rebuilt in: Genoa Italy 1950/51
Tonnage: Sydney 14,708 – Roma 14,687
Length: 150m (493ft)
Width: 21m (69ft)
Draft: 2.7m (29ft)
Engines: D.R.G. Steam Turbines (9350 SHP)
Screws: Single
Service speed: 17 knots
Home Port: Naples - Italian registration
Passenger decks: 6
Passengers: 1951 - 92 First - 680 Tourist Class
1960 – 119 First – 994 Tourist Class
Crew: 276
Livery: White Hull and Superstructure . Black
topped blue funnel with the Flotta
Lauro white star logo. Blue line on
the upper hull and blue boot -topping
© Copyright 2015 David Palmer

3. SS Roma
In due course many of these sturdy ships were purchased
by European Countries and were converted into migrant
ships, taking their human cargoes to the US, Canada,
South Africa & America, as well as Australia and New Zea-
land. Many of these ships were austere in the extreme,
whilst others became handsome liners with excellent facil-
ities such as the Roma and Sydney which offered the ulti-
mate in comfort.
After a successful tour of duty, HMS Atheling
was returned to the US Navy in December 1946
and was laid up in the Reserve Fleet at Jackson-
ville in Florida. There the ship languished for
years together with countless other Victory/C3 &
C4 and other redundant war weary ships all
rusting away all awaiting a buyer.
© Copyright 2015 David Palmer

4. SS Roma
TN Roma departed on her maiden voyage from Genoa for
Australia in August 1951 arriving in Fremantle on October
1st, continuing to Melbourne and arriving in Sydney on the
17th. She then went north to Brisbane before returning
home.
From 1953 to 1955, the Roma made many trips from Italy
to Halifax.
Atheling was purchased by Lauro Lines to be rebuilt
as a modern passenger liner. Unlike other C3 ships,
both Roma (Atheling) and Sydney (Fencer) were re-
built as classy looking two class liners.
First class occupied two of the superstructure decks,
whilst Tourist had three decks below. Both classes
had a large range of public rooms featuring décor and
furnishings that had that touch of Italian flair and
style. Each had their own pool and open-air cinemas.
First class accommodations had single and two berth
cabins, some with private facilities. Tourist had most-
ly two, three or four berth cabins, a few having six to
eight berths. Both ships had two holds forward and
one aft.
© Copyright 2015 David Palmer

5. SS Roma
Roma returned to the Australian service in December 1956. During sailings southward their
Tourist Class was mostly filled with assisted emigrants down under, but also having some full
fare paying holiday makers in both First and Tourist classes. Whilst sailing Northward these
ships were popular as tourist liners filled with Italian and other nationalities heading home
visiting their families or Australian’s visiting the “Mother Country” England and those heading
for adventure to tour the UK and Europe.
In 1963, Roma and Sydney was already in
competition with a multitude of ships,
including the very popular the Royal Dutch
Mail liners, the MS Johan van Oldenbarne-
velt (JVO), MS Oranje and the MS Willem
Ruys, then with the JVO sold, but the latter
two having been totally rebuilt into the
modern Angelina Lauro and Achille Lauro
the Roma was placed on a three year
service from Naples to New York.
© Copyright 2015 David Palmer

6. SS Roma
Then in 1966 both Roma and Sydney were redeployed to the Naples, LaGuaira service. However, one year later, due to poor loadings the
Roma was sold to the breakers and was broken up at Savona in 1967.
First Class
© Copyright 2015 David Palmer

7. SS Roma
Tourist Class
Main Lounge Dining Room Lounge Bar
Reading and Writing Room Aft Deck and Pool Two Berth Cabin
© Copyright 2015 David Palmer

8. SS Roma Deck Plans
© Copyright 2015 David Palmer

9. SS Roma
S.S. Roma, the vessel that carried an important passenger in 1955; Dante.
© Copyright 2015 David Palmer