Sitmar
Line (Societa Italiana Trasporti Marittimi) (Est. 1952) |
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The Sitmar
Line (Sitmar =
Societŕ Italiana Trasporti Marittimi) was formed by Russian émigré
Alexandre
Vlasov. Sitmar ships all carried a "V" for Vlasov on their funnels.
Vlasov operated cargo ships under various flags (including Greek,
Italian and
British) before and during the war. After the war, numerous American
wartime
standard ships were available for purchase, and Vlasov bought the
Wooster
Victory and Vassar Victory. These were suitable for emigrant carriers
since
both had been troopships in the war. He chartered them to the IRO
(International Refugee Organisation - run by the UN). The Vassar
Victory was
renamed Castelbianco, under the Italian flag, whereas Wooster Victory
initially
operated under her original name, before becoming the Castelverde when
she also
became Italian flagged. By 1952, the IRO charters were coming to an
end,
and Castel Bianco and Castel Verde (as their names were later
rendered), were
put into service as emigrant carriers between Genoa and Central
America. Before
starting this service, both ships were substantially rebuilt. Sitmar
withdrew
the Central American service in 1957, and the two ships were sold to
the
Spanish Line. Vlasov
also bought two
American C3 ships, and rebuilt one as the 1800 passenger Fairsea. She
was
Panamanian-flagged, and initiated the naming style for future Sitmar
ships. Fairsea
initially operated IRO charters, and was then put on the Australian
run. She
also made a few V Ships www.vships.com Princess Cruises www.princess.com |