Allied attack sinks stylish Italian liner

THE 1930s saw renewed investment in shipping by industrialised nations bidding for the South Africa trade. And while the established Union-Castle company had ordered new mailships for the Cape run, competition from other shipping lines was on the way. The Italians, in the form of the Italia Line, were intent on bringing a touch of Western Ocean majesty to the Cape route and in 1934 they did so with the 21 657 ton stylish sister ships, Giulio Cesare and Diulio. Both became firm favourites with the South African public. The Giulio Cesare was a handsome ship, as witnessed by the photographer John H Marsh on the vessel’s approach to Cape Town harbour one sunny day in 1934 on her maiden voyage from Genoa. Her keel had been laid down in 1913 at Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson yards in Newcastle and she was equipped with geared turbine engines to give her a service speed of 20.5 knots. This was notably faster than her competitors of the time. In 1914 construction was temporarily halted because of the outbreak of World War 2 , but she was completed in 1922 and began sailing between Genoa and Buenos Aires for a period of eight years. In 1933 the ship was bought by Lloyd Triestino Line of Italy and only after reconditioning was she directed to her nominated Mediterranean - South Africa route. Her interiors were supremely comfortable and spacious, with passengers travelling in first, second or tourist class accommodation. There were innovations such as a passenger “Club” lounge on the boat deck, an elegant saloon style dining room, attractive galleries and a ballroom in the first class section. The degree of elegance coupled with more advanced wireless telecommunications, were much admired by travellers. The Giulio Cesare continued on her regular route until 1942 when the ship was chartered by the International Red Cross and employed on evacuation voyages from East Africa. This involved returning Italian citizens, cut off in Eritrea, to Italy. Unfortunately the Giulio Cesare did not survive World War 2. On September 11, 1944 at the port of Trieste, she was bombarded by British aircraft during an Allied attack on the port and the once proud ship heeled over and sank without much delay. Somewhat unusually, the wreck was raised in 1949 and a decision taken to scrap the hulk.