SS New York was a German passenger liner launched in 1926 for the Hamburg-America Line and was the sister to the SS Albert Ballin, SS Deutschland, and SS Hamburg. During World War II the ship continued its passenger service until in 1940, the Kriegsmarine requisitioned it as a accommodation ship for the war. The ship was sunk in an air raid at Kiel in 1945.

SS New York
History
Germany
NameSS New York
NamesakeNew York
OwnerHamburg-America Line
BuilderBlohm & Voss, Hamburg
Launched20 October 1926
Maiden voyage1927
FateRequisitioned by the Kriegsmarine in 1940
Kriegsmarine JackNazi Germany
OperatorKriegsmarine
In service1940
FateSunk in April 1945
General characteristics (1927)
TypeOcean liner
Tonnage
  • 1927 : 21,455 gross registered tons
  • 1934 : 22,334 gross registered tons
Length193.50 metres (634.8 ft)
Beam22.07 metres (72.4 ft)
Propulsiontwin steam turbine and 2 Propeller
Speed16 knots
Capacity1,037 passengers
Crew420

History edit

Background and construction edit

After the launching of the SS Hamburg, the Hamburg-America Line ordered its next ship of the Albert Ballin class of liners. The ship would be laid down by the Blohm & Voss shipyard as yard No 474 and was launched on 20 October 1926, as the SS New York

Ocean liner service edit

On 1 April 1927 the ship undertook her maiden voyage on the Hamburg to New York route. On 31 January 1928 she was the first Albert Ballin-class ship to take a cruise from New York via Madeira to the Mediterranean Sea and on to Istanbul, before ending on April 1 in Hamburg. On 18 and 19 December 1934 she assisted during the distress of the small Norwegian steamer Sisto at approx. 50N 22W, which had become unable to maneuver in a hurricane during a journey from Canada to Europe. The New York took the rescued crew to Southampton.[citation needed]

New York continued in liner service until 1940.

World War 2 service and fate edit

During World War 2 the ship was stationed at Kiel and was requisitioned for use as a accommodation ship to train sailors and other military personnel.

References edit

  • "New York, Hamburg America Line".
  • "1927 Ship Passenger Lists".
  • "Third Class to North America - 1938".