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Conte di Savoia was originally
built for the Italian shipping company
Lloyd Sabuado. After Mussolini forced the
merger of the larger Italian shipping
companies in January 1932, Lloyd Sabuado
became part of the newly formed Italia
Line. Conte di
Savoia had been intended to
compete against the Navigazione Generale
Italiana Line’s 51,062-ton liner
Rex. With the two ships entering
service within months of each other soon
after the merger of the Italian shipping
companies, they were used to provide an
alternating service between Italy and
America. Conte di
Savoia set out on her maiden
voyage from Genoa - Villefranche and New
York November 30th 1932. When
approximately 900 miles from the American
coast, a high-pressured steam valve blew
out creating a hole in her hull below the
waterline.
Conti de Savoia began taking on
water at such an alarming rate many on
board feared she might sink on her maiden
voyage. After the crew succeeded in
making temporary repairs at sea,
Conti de Savoia
completed the voyage to New York under
her own steam. The Italia Line continued
to operate her on that route until Italy
entered the Second World War alongside
Germany. Following Conti de
Savoia’s return from New
York in May 1940, she was laid up at the
port of Venice. The Italian military
operated Conti de
Savoia as a transport ship for a
short time before returning her to
Venice. This turned out to be a dangerous
place for a large ship, as during an
attack on Venice by British Bombers
September 11th 1943; Conti
de Savoia was sunk in
shallow waters. The Italia Line had her
re-floated October 16th 1945 so she could
be operated on the Italy - South America
emigrant run after repairs. With damage
to Conti de Savoia
being greater than at first thought, she
was scrapped at Monfalcone/Italy in
1950.
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