- MS Alcantara (1927)
MS "Alcantara" was an
ocean liner of theRoyal Mail Lines , a successor to the "Alcantara" that had been sunk inWorld War I ."Alcantara" was built by
Harland & Wolff inBelfast , and launched in1927 . She ran the route fromSouthampton to the east coast ofSouth America . In 1934 the ship was rebuilt with more powerful engines, increasing her top speed to 18 knots.She was converted to an armed merchant cruiser in
1939 , and refitted with a singlefunnel . She was dispatched toMalta for further modifications, but was involved in a major collision with the Cunard ship "Franconia" en route. "Alcantara" managed to reachAlexandria for hull repairs.On 28 July 1940, "Alcantara" encountered the German
auxiliary cruiser "Thor" in the South Atlantic. "Thor" scored three hits on "Alcantara", but was hit twice by "Alcantara's" 6-inch guns. One of the hits on "Alcantara" flooded the engine room, which forced her to reduce speed, allowing "Thor" to escape.In 1943, "Alcantara" was converted into a troop ship. South American service resumed in October
1948 , and lasted until April1958 , when she was sold toJapan ese owners, renamed "Kaisho Maru", but broken up the same year.
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