Arosa Kulm

The Arosa Kulm began life as one of over 110 standardized Hog Island-A type transports built at the American International Shipbuilding Corporation. Launched on October 27, 1919, she represented the utilitarian design philosophy of these vessels, featuring a plain functional appearance without sheer or camber.

Early Service (1920-1939)

Initially named Cantigny and owned by the US Shipping Board, the vessel served as a troop transport from 1920 to 1923. In 1924, she was transferred to the American Merchant Line and renamed American Banker, operating between New York and London. Initially configured for 12 passengers plus cargo, her passenger capacity was increased to 80 tourist class in 1926. The American Merchant Line merged into the United States Line in October 1931, with the vessel maintaining her regular route until November 1939.

Wartime and Post-War Period (1940-1947)

In February 1940, she was sold to Belgian company Soc. Maritime Anveroise and renamed Ville d'Anvers. Following Germany's invasion of Belgium in May 1940, the Allies took control of the vessel. She returned to United States Line management in February 1946. Later that year, she was acquired by Cia di Vapores Mediterranean and renamed City of Athens, operating routes to Istanbul and Piraeus.

Migration Service (1947-1952)

Sold to Panamanian Lines (a Home Lines predecessor) in 1947 and renamed Protea, the ship underwent a significant refit in Genoa to accommodate 965 passengers in one class. Under the International Refugee Organization (IRO), she transported migrants from Italy to South America and Australia, completing multiple voyages between 1948 and 1951 with passenger loads reaching up to 1,096 people.

Final Years as Arosa Kulm (1952-1959)

Following a 1952 refit in Bremen that modified her capacity to 46 first class and 919 tourist class passengers, she was renamed Arosa Kulm under Arosa Line ownership. She operated on Canadian routes and completed four voyages to Australia between 1954 and 1956. Her final Australian voyage was marked by delays in Fremantle due to faulty lifesaving equipment. Financial difficulties led to her arrest in Plymouth in 1959, and after Arosa Line's bankruptcy, she was sold to Belgian ship breakers Van Heyghen Freres, arriving at their yard in Bruges on May 7, 1959.

Key Facts

Specification	Details
Built	1920
Builder	American International Shipbuilding Corp.
Gross Tonnage	7,783
Dimensions	448 x 58 ft (136.6 x 17.6m)
Propulsion	Steam Turbine/single screw
Service Speed	16 knots
Final Capacity	46 first + 919 tourist class (1952)