RMS Laconia (1921)
Ocean liner
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Key Takeaways
- RMS Laconia was a Cunard ocean liner, built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson as a successor of the 1911–1917 RMS Laconia .
- At the outbreak of the Second World War she was converted into an armed merchant cruiser, and in 1941 she was converted again, this last time into a troopship.
- Some estimates of the death toll have suggested that over 1,658 people were killed when the Laconia sank.
- Description Laconia was 601.
- She had a depth of 40.
RMS Laconia was a Cunard ocean liner, built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson as a successor of the 1911–1917 RMS Laconia. The new ship was launched on 9 April 1921, and made her maiden voyage on 25 May 1922 from Southampton to New York City. At the outbreak of the Second World War she was converted into an armed merchant cruiser, and in 1941 she was converted again, this last time into a troopship. She was sunk in the South Atlantic Ocean on 12 September 1942 by U-156 (Korvettenkapitän Werner Hartenstein). Some estimates of the death toll have suggested that over 1,658 people were killed when the Laconia sank. Hartenstein staged a rescue of the passengers and the crew of Laconia, which involved additional German U-boats and became known as the Laconia incident.
Description
Laconia was 601.3 ft (183.3 m) long, with a beam of 73.7 ft (22.5 m). She had a depth of 40.6 ft (12.4 m) and a draught of 32 feet 8 inches (10.0 m). She was powered by six steam turbines of 2,561 nhp, which drove twin screw propellers via double reduction gearing. The turbines were made by the Wallsend Slipway & Engineering Company, Newcastle upon Tyne. In addition to her passenger accommodation, Laconia had 54,089 cubic feet (1,531.6 m3) of refrigerated cargo space.
Early career
Laconia was built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Wallsend, Northumberland. Launched on 9 April 1921, she was completed in January 1922. Her port of registry was Liverpool. Her UK official number was 145925, and until 1933 her code letters were KLWT. As a Royal Mail Ship, Laconia was entitled to display the Royal Mail "crown" logo as a part of her crest.
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