Angelina Lauro
Originally launched as Oranje in 1938, the Angelina Lauro (2) was a distinguished passenger liner that served multiple roles and owners throughout her 40-year career. The vessel was launched by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands and would go on to serve as a troop carrier, hospital ship, and luxury liner under three different national flags.
Construction and Nederland Line Service
Built by Nederlandsche Scheepsbouw Maatschappij in Amsterdam, the vessel was launched on September 8, 1938, and completed in July 1939. As Oranje, she initially served on Nederland Line's routes before the outbreak of World War II.
Wartime Service
During World War II, the vessel served with the Royal Australian Navy as both a troop transport and hospital ship, providing crucial support to Allied operations.
Post-War Nederland Line Years
Following the war, Oranje returned to commercial service with Nederland Line, operating on the South African route for over two decades.
Flotta Lauro Service
In 1966, after extensive conversion in Genoa (during which she suffered a fire), the ship emerged as Angelina Lauro (2) for Flotta Lauro Lines. The renovation gave her a rakish profile and distinctive Italian styling both inside and out. Her inaugural voyage as Angelina Lauro (2) departed from Bremerhaven for Australia on March 6, 1966. In September 1968, she began service on the Australia/New Zealand/Europe route via Tahiti and Cape Horn, which continued until 1972.
Final Years and Fate
The vessel was leased to Costa Line, operating as Angelina on Caribbean cruises from Port Everglades with a reduced passenger capacity of 800. On March 31, 1979, while docked in Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands, a fire broke out in the aft galley and quickly spread throughout the ship. Though most passengers and crew were ashore, the ship could not be saved and was scuttled to prevent the nearby oil terminal from exploding. After three months, she was salvaged by a Hamburg company but sank on September 24, 1979, while under tow to Taiwan breakers.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Gross Tonnage | 24,377 tons |
| Length | 672 ft (205m) |
| Beam | 84 ft (25.6m) |
| Draught | 29 ft (8.8m) |
| Power | Three 12 cylinder Sulzer diesels (27,000 SHP) |
| Propulsion | Triple screws |
| Speed | 21 knots |
| Passenger Capacity | 180-377 first class & 946-1050 tourist (later 800) |
| Crew | 390 |
| Passenger Decks | Eight |
| Livery | Mid-blue hull, white superstructure, blue funnel and dark blue boot-topping |