Napoli

The Napoli began life as the Bank Line freighter Araybank, built by the famous Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast. Following a dramatic wartime career that saw her sunk in Crete and later salvaged, she emerged as a pioneering vessel in Italy's post-war migrant transport trade under Flotta Lauro ownership.

Construction and Original Service

Laid down at Harland & Wolff Ltd on June 5, 1939, the vessel was launched as Araybank on June 6, 1940. She was one of only two ships completed in this series for Bank Line, with her sister ship Shirrabank launching in July 1940.

Wartime Service

During World War II, the Royal Navy modified the vessel with anti-aircraft guns and repositioned her main-mast alongside the funnel rather than aft to confuse enemy vessels about her direction of travel. On May 13, 1941, while anchored at Suda Bay, Crete, after delivering 3,000 tons of foodstuffs and 100 tons of anti-aircraft ammunition, she came under Luftwaffe attack. Two days later, Stuka dive bombers struck the ship from 100 feet, causing severe damage. Despite Captain Tulloch's resistance to abandoning ship, she was eventually lost to fire and settled in the shallow waters of the port.

In late 1944, German forces raised the vessel and towed her to Trieste, intending to use her holds for evacuating equipment. The rapid German retreat left her abandoned on the slipways, where Allied forces later found her.

Post-War Conversion

Flotta Lauro purchased the vessel "as is" and, after basic repairs, sailed her to Genoa for conversion into a migrant transport. Initially fitted with spartan accommodation, she retained much of her freighter appearance. She was renamed Napoli in honor of the company's home port.

Passenger Service

The Napoli commenced her inaugural voyage in August 1948, sailing from Naples to Sydney via Suez, Fremantle, and Melbourne. She pioneered the Italian post-war migrant boom that would last over two decades. By 1951, she was transferred to the Genoa-Central America route as newer vessels joined the fleet. During the 1950s, she underwent another refit that provided more modern and spacious passenger facilities, gaining a bulkier superstructure and an all-white livery to match her fleetmates Roma, Sydney, and Surriento.

Final Years

After 23 years of service with Flotta Lauro, the Napoli was laid up in Naples in 1971, succumbing to declining passenger numbers and her advancing age. She was subsequently sold to breakers in La Spezia.

Key Facts

Specification	Details
Gross Tonnage	8,082
Service Speed	14 knots
Propulsion	Single screw
Passenger Capacity	650 tourist/emigrant class
Crew	200
Registry	Naples, Italy