Begona

The Begona began life as a Victory ship, launched as Vassar Victory at the Bethlehem-Fairfield shipyard in Baltimore. Through several transformations, she evolved from a cargo vessel to a passenger ship serving routes between Europe, Australia, and the Americas under different owners and names.

Victory Ship Origins (1945-1947)

Built as yard number 2471, Vassar Victory was launched on May 3, 1945, for the US Maritime Commission. She was completed on May 28 as a 7,604 GRT cargo vessel.

Sitmar Line Service (1947-1957)

In 1947, Sitmar Line purchased the vessel, renaming her Castel Bianco and converting her to accommodate 480 third-class passengers. A major rebuild in Trieste, Italy in 1952 increased her tonnage to 10,139 GRT and expanded passenger capacity to 1,200. From 1953, she operated between Genoa and Sydney, also serving Central and South American routes.

Cia Trasatlantica Period (1957-1974)

Sold to Cia Trasatlantica of Barcelona in 1957, she was renamed Begona and refitted for 830 tourist class passengers. She operated between Southampton, Spain, and Central America. In mid-1957, she made two notable voyages to Australia, including one carrying hundreds of Greek brides to Melbourne.

Final Voyage and Fate

On September 27, 1974, while traveling from Southampton to the West Indies with 800 passengers, she experienced engine troubles near Tenerife. After temporary repairs, she broke down completely in the Atlantic and was towed to Bridgetown, Barbados by the German tug Oceanic, arriving October 17. She was subsequently sold for scrap, arriving at Castellon on December 24, 1974.

Key Facts

Specification	Details
Built	Bethlehem-Fairfield, Baltimore (Yard 2471)
Dimensions	138.7 x 18.9 m (455 x 62.0 ft)
Tonnage	7,604 GRT (1945), 10,139 GRT (1952)
Propulsion	Westinghouse geared turbines, single screw, 6,000 SHP
Speed	15-16 knots maximum
Passenger Capacity	480 (1947), 1,200 (1952), 830 (1957)