KATOOMBA

Passenger vessel "Katoomba", built by Harland & Wolff - Belfast. She took her first voyage in 1913 and was commandeered as a troopship in 1918. In 1919 she returned to McIllwraith McEachern and was refitted. In 1920 she resumed her service along the Australian coast but in 1941 was commandeered again. In 1946 she was again returned to her owners who sold her to Compania Maritima del este, Panam and was renamed "Columbia", she was refitted at Genoa and sailed under a greek line flag. In 1947 she was chartered to French line for Carribean service and in 1949 was refitted at Genoa and placed on Europe - Canada run. In 1954 she was sold to Neptunia Shipping Co, Panama and in 1957 was laid up at Bremerhaven. In 1958 was laid up at Piraeouys and ion 1959 was broken up in Japan. Tonnage: 9424 Dimensions: length 143 x breadth 18m Maximum Speed: 15 knots Passengers: first 209, second 192, third 156 Propulsion: triple screw, triple expansion steam Refer - "Home and Back" by Stuart Bremer