Partizanca

The Partizanca began her varied career as the Shawnee, launched on April 18, 1927, from the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. Initially built for the Clyde Line's New York to Miami service, she would serve multiple owners and roles over her 23-year career, from luxury cruise ship to wartime troopship and finally as a post-war immigrant transport.

Early Service (1927-1941)

Originally operating as Shawnee along with her sister ship Iroquois, she provided comfortable accommodation for 600 passengers on the American east coast route. In 1934, following several corporate mergers, she became part of the Atlantic, Gulf and West Indies SS Co (AGWI Lines). The vessel operated cruise services to Bermuda and Havana during this period. As war broke out in Europe, Shawnee made a humanitarian voyage to Bordeaux to evacuate stranded American citizens.

Wartime Service (1941-1946)

The US government requisitioned Shawnee as a troop carrier during World War II. She was converted to accommodate 1,589 troops and initially served on North African routes. In 1944, she was reassigned to the South Pacific theater, operating from San Francisco.

Post-War Service and Migration Voyages (1946-1949)

In 1946, the Iberian Star Line purchased and renamed her City of Lisbon. The following year, Jogoslavenska Linijska Plovidba acquired the vessel, renaming her Partizanca. After a comprehensive refit in Rijeka that increased her passenger capacity to 800, she began immigrant transport services.

Her first Australian voyage departed Malta on December 15, 1947, arriving in Fremantle on January 9, 1948. The journey continued to Sydney, where she arrived on January 15, disembarking 808 migrants, including three babies born during the voyage. Through most of 1948, she operated between Rijeka and South America.

Her second and final Australian voyage departed Trieste in March 1949, reaching Sydney on April 6, where she berthed at No 2 Circular Quay. This voyage brought 298 migrants of 18 different nationalities to Australia before departing for Split on April 7.

Final Fate

On August 12, 1949, while in dry dock, a devastating fire destroyed approximately 70 percent of the vessel. Declared a total loss, she was sold to local shipbreakers in 1950. The lower section of the hull was rebuilt as a barge and continued service in the Split area for several years.

Key Facts

Specification	Details
Built	1927, Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co
Gross Tonnage	6,267
Length	395 ft (120.4 m)
Beam	62 ft (18.9 m)
Propulsion	Geared turbines, twin screws
Service Speed	17 knots
Passenger Capacity	600 (original), 800 (after 1947 refit)