MS Kungsholm (1952)

Overview

*1953–1965: Kungsholm *1965–1981: Europa *1981–1985: Columbus C.

owner	1953–1965: Swedish American Line 1965–1970: North German Lloyd 1970–1981: Hapag-Lloyd 1981–1985:Independent Continental Lines‡R1R‡
operator	1953–1965: Swedish American Line 1965–1970: North German Lloyd 1970–1981: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises 1981–1985: Costa Cruises‡R1R‡
registry	1953–1965: Gothenburg, Sweden 1965–1981: Bremen, West Germany *1981–1985: Panama City, Panama‡R1R‡
ordered	1 April 1950‡R2R‡
builder	De Schelde, Vlissingen, The Netherlands
yard number	273‡R1R‡
launched	18 October 1952‡R1R‡
christened	18 October 1952 by Princess Sibylla of Sweden ‡R3R‡
acquired	30 September 1953‡R1R‡
maiden voyage	24 November 1953‡R1R‡
in service	24 November 1953‡R1R‡
identification	‡R1R‡
fate	Partially sunk at Cádiz, Spain, 29 July 1984. Scrapped in 1985.‡R1R‡

MS Kungsholm was a combined ocean liner / cruise ship built in 1953 by the De Schelde shipyard in Vlissingen, the Netherlands for the Swedish American Line. Between 1965 and 1981 she sailed for the North German Lloyd and their successor Hapag-Lloyd as MS Europa. From 1981 until 1984 she sailed for Costa Cruises as MS Columbus C. She sank in the port of Cádiz, Spain after ramming a breakwater on 29 July 1984. The vessel was refloated later that year, but sent to a Barcelona shipbreaker in 1985 for scrapping.[1]

Concept and construction

After the end of World War II the Swedish American Line, the company that had been pioneers of cruising during the 1920s,[8]

Service history

As Kungsholm

The brand new Kungsholm set on her maiden voyage from Gothenburg to New York City on 24 November 1953.[1] During her time with the Swedish American Line she was used on transatlantic crossings during the Northern Hemisphere summer season, and on luxury cruises during the rest of the year.[7] She was a highly successful vessel, and already in September 1954 SAL decided to order a slightly larger ship (eventually named MS Gripsholm (1957)) based on the same design from the Ansaldo shipyard in Genoa, Italy to become a running mate for the Kungsholm.[9]

In January 1955 the Kungsholm departed on the first-ever around the world cruise made by a SAL vessel.[15] In May 1957 the new Gripsholm was delivered and entered service alongside the Kungsholm. In 1961 the Kungsholm was drydocked and refitted with stabilizers.[7]

Encouraged by the success of the Kungsholm and Gripsholm, the Swedish American Line placed an order for yet another new ship in August 1963. In preparation for the delivery of the new ship—also named MS Kungsholm (1966)—the old Kungsholm was sold to the North German Lloyd in May 1964, with the delivery date set in October 1965. She set on her last transatlantic crossing in SAL colours from New York on 21 August 1965, arriving in Gothenburg on 5 October 1965. Ten days later she was delivered to the North German Lloyd.[7][9]

As Europa

Following delivery to the North German Lloyd the Kungsholm was renamed Europa (a traditional name in the NGL fleet),[14] given refit and moved under the West German flag.[1][7] On 9 January 1966 the Europa set on her first transatlantic crossing for her new owners from Bremen to New York.[1] In NGL service the ship followed a similar arrangement as she had with the Swedish American Line, with transatlantic crossings during the (northern hemisphere) summer and cruises during the rest of the year.[7]

In September 1970 the North German Lloyd merged with the Hamburg America Line (HAPAG) to form Hapag-Lloyd.[1]

As Columbus C.

Following the sale to Independent Continental Lines, the Europa was renamed Columbus C., painted in Costa Cruises colours and set in cruise traffic. Her career with Costa was short however, as on 29 July 1984 the Columbus C. accidentally rammed a breakwater near Cádiz, Spain. Her keel was badly damaged in the collision, but the ship managed to reach the port of Cádiz under her own power. Her passengers and crew were evacuated, but the ship continued sinking, listing to starboard side. She eventually sank to the bottom of the shallow harbour, remaining only partially submerged.[1][7][16]

On 1 November 1984 the Columbus C. was refloated and laid up. The damages were judged to be too severe to be repaired with acceptable costs, and she was sold to Mirak SA in Barcelona to be scrapped. On 2 April 1985 the Columbus C. arrived in Barcelona under tow, where she was scrapped.[1][7]

MS Kungsholm (1952)

Concept and construction

Service history

As Kungsholm

As Europa

As Columbus C.

Design

Exterior design

Decks

References