History

Ship History

RETURN TO THE HOMEPAGE S/S EUROPA 1930

The S/S Europa is one of the great Ships of State that have graced the oceans of the world. She was one of the first transatlantic liners designed with a bulbous bow. She was the sister ship of the S/S Bremen built in 1928. Both liners were built as the pride of Norddeutscher Lloyd Line for the transatlantic service from Bremerhaven to New York. Sadly the Bremen was lost during the Second World War and only the Europa survived. The Europa sadly also had something of a checkered career, serving as the flagship of two nations: Germany and France.

Design and Construction (1928 – 1930):

The Europa was built by Blohm & Voss of Hamburg for Norddeutscher Lloyd. She was launched in 1928. However her delivery was delayed for 10 months after she was severely damaged by fire during fitting out. As a result her sister Bremen, entered service first. Finally the Europa was ready and she undertook her sea trials in February 1930. The Europa finally made her maiden voyage to New York on the 19th March 1930, more than a year and a half after her launch.

The Norddeutscher Lloyd Line Era (1930 – 1939):

The Europa departed Bremerhaven on the 19th March 1930 on her maiden voyage bound for New York. Despite poor weather conditions she immediately captured the westbound Blue Riband on this maiden voyage. During the voyage it was discovered that her low funnels covered the passengers in soot, therefore on her return to Europe her funnels were heightened by 15 ft. She set another westbound record in 1933 but then a month later lost the record to the Italian liner Rex. Remarkably she never set an eastbound record although her sister ship, Bremen, did on several occasions. In 1936 her accommodations were reclassified as Cabin, Tourist and Third Class. She made her final passage to New York on the 10th August 1939.

The War Years (1939 - 1946):

The Europa was in Bremen, having just returned from New York, on the 1st September 1939 when the Second World War began. During the Second World War she served as an accommodation ship at Bremerhaven for the German Navy. In 1940 plans were developed for her to be converted into a troopship for the invasion of England (Operation Sea Lion) and in 1941 she was designated for conversion into an aircraft carrier. However neither of these conversions were ever carried out. In May 1945 as the Allies took control of Germany, she was seized by United States forces and used as Navy transport until she was handed to France in 1946 in compensation for the loss of the S.S. Normandie during the Second World War.

The CGT French Line Era (1946 - 1961):

After the end of the Second World War, the Europa was handed to France as reparations for the loss of the Normandie. She was given to CGT French Line and renamed the Liberte in 1946. However things did not always go as planned. In December 1946 while laid up pending refitting in Le Havre, the Liberte broke loose during a storm and struck the wreck of the Paris, as a result she was scuttled to avoid capsizing. She was raised in 1947 and rebuilt by Chantiers de l'Atlantique at St Navaire. Sadly her earlier unfortunate history began to repeat itself as she caught fire during rebuilding and much of the newly installed passenger accommodations were damaged. The Liberte finally entered service with CGT French Line on the 17th August 1950 on the Le Havre to New York transatlantic service. She had three classes: Premier, Cabin and Tourist Class. Her new fleetmates were the famous Ile de France and De Grasse, giving CGT French Line a very distinguished trio. She gave many years loyal service with CGT French Line and was retired from service just before the new S.S. France entered service. Her final voyage was in November 1961 and she sailed for the final time on the 30th January 1962 bound for La Spezia in Italy for scrapping.