View source for RMS Alcantara (1926)

{{Short description|British ocean liner}}
{{Other ships|SS Alcantara (1913)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image= Alcantara à Rio by Kenneth Shoesmith.jpg
|Ship caption= ''Alcantara'' off [[Rio de Janeiro]] between 1934 and 1939
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country= [[United Kingdom]]
|Ship flag= {{Shipboxflag|United Kingdom|government}}
|Ship name=*RMS ''Alcantara'' (1926–39; 1943–58)
*HMS ''Alcantara'' (1939–43)
*''Kaisho Maru'' (1958)
|Ship namesake= [[Alcántara]]
|Ship owner= *[[File:Royal Mail Lines House Flag.svg|15px]] [[Royal Mail Steam Packet Company|RMSP Meat Transports]] (1926–32)
*[[File:Royal Mail Lines House Flag.svg|15px]] [[Royal Mail Steam Packet Company#Reconstitution as Royal Mail Lines|Royal Mail Lines]] (1932–58)
|Ship operator= {{flagicon|United Kingdom|naval}} [[Royal Navy]] (1939–43)
|Ship registry= {{flagicon|United Kingdom|civil}} [[Port of Belfast|Belfast]]
|Ship route= [[Port of Southampton|Southampton]] – South America
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder= [[Harland & Wolff]], [[Belfast]]
|Ship yard number= 586
|Ship laid down=
|Ship launched= 23 September 1926
|Ship completed= 18 February 1927
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned= 1939
|Ship decommissioned= 1943
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship identification=*UK [[official number]]: 148151
*[[code letters]]: KVQC (until 1933)
**{{ICS|Kilo}}{{ICS|Victor}}{{ICS|Quebec}}{{ICS|Charlie}}
*[[Maritime call sign|Call sign]]: GLQR (from 1934)
**{{ICS|Golf}}{{ICS|Lima}}{{ICS|Quebec}}{{ICS|Romeo}}
|Ship struck=
|Ship renamed=
|Ship reclassified=
|Ship homeport=
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship honours=
|Ship fate=*Returned to civilian service 1948
*Broken up 1958
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship type=*[[Ocean liner]] 1926–39; 1948–58
*[[Armed merchantman#Armed merchant cruisers|Armed merchant cruiser]] 1939–43
*[[Troopship|Troop ship]] 1943–48
|Ship tonnage=*{{GRT|22181}}
*tonnage under deck 16,089
*{{NRT|13,189}}
|Ship length=*{{convert|630|ft|6|in|abbr=on}} [[Length between perpendiculars|p/p]]
*{{convert|656|ft|abbr=on}} [[Length overall|o/a]]
|Ship beam= {{convert|78|ft|6|in|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught= {{convert|44|ft|9|in|abbr=on|2}}
|Ship depth= {{convert|40|ft|6|in|abbr=on}}
|Ship hold depth=
|Ship decks= 7
|Ship power=*As built: 3,366 [[Horsepower#Nominal horsepower|NHP]]; 10,000 [[Horsepower#Indicated horsepower|ihp]], 7,500 [[Horsepower#Brake horsepower|bhp]]
*From 1934: 4,205 NHP; 24,000 [[Horsepower#Shaft horsepower|shp]]
|Ship propulsion=*Twin [[Propeller|screws]] powered by:
*2 × 8 cylinder [[Two- and four-stroke engines|4-stroke]] [[Single- and double-acting cylinders#Internal combustion engines|double-acting]] [[Burmeister & Wain]] [[Marine propulsion#Reciprocating|diesel engines]] (until 1934);
*6 × [[Steam turbine#Marine propulsion|steam turbines]] (from 1934)
|Ship speed=*{{convert|16+1/2|kn|km/h|lk=in}} (until 1934)
*{{convert|19|kn|km/h}} (from 1934)
|Ship range=
|Ship boats= Launched with 30 [[Lifeboat (shipboard)|lifeboats]], later reduced to 28
|Ship capacity=*1,430 passengers:
*432 1st class
*223 2nd class
*775 3rd class
|Ship complement= 254
|Ship sensors=*Wireless [[direction finding]]
*[[echo sounding]] device
|Ship armament=*As AMC:
*8 × [[BL 6 inch Mk XII naval gun]]s<ref>{{cite web |url= http://navalhistory.flixco.info/H/54676/8330/a0.htm |title=BR 6in 45cal BL Mk XII |work=NavHist |publisher=Flixco Pty Limited |access-date=6 May 2013}}</ref>
*[[QF 3 inch 20 cwt]] [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] guns<ref>{{cite web |url= http://navalhistory.flixco.info/H/55207/8330/a0.htm |title=BR 3in 45cal 12pdr 20cwt QF Mk I To IV |work=NavHist |publisher=Flixco Pty Limited |access-date=6 May 2013}}</ref>
|Ship notes= [[Sister ship]]: {{RMS|Asturias|1925|6}}
}}
|}
'''RMS ''Alcantara''''' was a [[Royal Mail Steam Packet Company|Royal Mail Lines]] [[ocean liner]] that was built in [[Belfast]] in 1926. She served in the Second World War first as an [[Armed merchantman#Armed merchant cruisers|armed merchant cruiser]] and then a [[Troopship|troop ship]]. She returned to civilian service in 1948 and was scrapped in 1958.

==Background==
In the [[World War I|First World War]] the [[Royal Mail Steam Packet Company]] lost a number of ships to enemy action, including three of its "A-series" passenger liners: {{RMS|Alcantara|1913|2}}, {{HMT|Aragon||2}} and {{HMHS|Asturias||2}}.{{sfn|Nicol|2001b|p=121}} After the [[Armistice of 11 November 1918|1918 Armistice]] RMSP prioritised the replacement of lost [[cargo ship]]s,{{sfn|Nicol|2001b|p=233}} using new [[Reefer ship|refrigerated cargo ships]] to take a share of the growing trade in frozen meat from South America to the UK.{{sfn|Nicol|2001b|pp=236–237}}

High demand for new merchant ships to replace First World War losses kept shipbuilding prices high, so RMSP Chairman [[Owen Philipps, 1st Baron Kylsant|Lord Kylsant]] deferred ordering any new passenger liners for a few years. However, in 1921 [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]] passed the first of five [[Trade Facilities Act]]s, which offered low-interest loans and Government guarantees for repayment. In 1924 Kylsant took advantage of the Act by ordering from [[Harland and Wolff]] of [[Belfast]] a pair of {{GRT|22200}} passenger liners{{sfn|Nicol|2001b|p=231}} with a speed of {{convert|18|to|19|kn|km/h}}.{{sfn|Nicol|2001b|p=232}}

==As a diesel-powered motor ship==
[[File:Kenneth-shoesmith-the-liner-alcantara-at-sea-1928.jpg|left|thumb|upright|A 1928 painting of ''Alcantara'' by Kenneth Shoesmith for an RMSP poster in her original appearance as a diesel-engined motor ship with two low funnels]]

Harland and Wolff launched the new [[RMS Asturias (1925)|''Asturias'']] on 7 July 1925 and completed her in February 1926.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.theyard.info/ships/ships.asp?entryid=507 |title=Asturias |work=The Yard |publisher=Robert C |access-date=15 May 2017}}</ref> Her [[sister ship]] ''Alcantara'' was launched on 23 September 1926 and completed in February 1927.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.theyard.info/ships/ships.asp?entryid=586 |title=Alcantara |work=The Yard |publisher=Robert C |access-date=15 May 2017}}</ref>{{sfn|Nicol|2001b|p=131}} The latter was named after RMSP's previous [[RMS Alcantara (1913)|''Alcantara'']], which was an [[Armed merchantman#Armed merchant cruisers|armed merchant cruiser]] in the First World War and had been lost when she and the German armed merchant cruiser {{SMS|Greif|1914|6}} sank each other in 1916.

The new ''Alcantara'' was given the UK [[official number]] 148151 and [[code letters]] KVQC.<ref>{{cite book |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/33/33b0029.pdf |year=1933–34 |title=Lloyd's Register, Steamers & Motorships |place=London |publisher=[[Lloyd's Register]] |access-date=28 June 2020}}</ref> When four-letter [[maritime call sign]]s were introduced in 1934, ''Asturias'' was given the call sign GLQR.<ref>{{cite book |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/34/34b0034.pdf |year=1934–35 |title=Lloyd's Register, Steamers & Motorships |place=London |publisher=[[Lloyd's Register]] |access-date=28 June 2020}}</ref>

Each of the two new ships was powered by a pair of eight-cylinder [[Two- and four-stroke engines|four-stroke]] [[Single- and double-acting cylinders#Internal combustion engines|double-acting]] [[Marine propulsion#Reciprocating|diesel engines]] built by Harland and Wolff to a [[Burmeister & Wain]] design. The engines gave each ship 10,000 [[Horsepower#Indicated horsepower|ihp]] or 7,500 [[Horsepower#Brake horsepower|bhp]], and at the time they were the World's largest motor ships.{{sfn|Nicol|2001b|p=131}} However, their cruising speed was only {{convert|16+1/2|kn|km/h}}, which was less than that of competing ships already on the route between European ports and the South American east coast. This was an embarrassment for Lord Kylsant, who in 1924 had become Chairman of Harland and Wolff in addition to his position as chairman of RMSP.{{sfn|Nicol|2001b|p=132}}

In comparison, ''[[Compagnie de Navigation Sud-Atlantique]]'' had two {{GRT|15000}} liners on the route, [[SS Lutetia|''Lutetia'']] (1913) and [[SS Massilia|''Massilia'']] (1920), that were smaller and older but at {{convert|20|kn|km/h}}{{sfn|Talbot-Booth|1936|p=394}} could offer a passage that was quicker by several days. [[Hamburg Süd]] also competed on the route with its {{GRT|20517}}, {{convert|19|kn|km/h|adj=on}} {{SS|Cap Polonio||2}}.{{sfn|Nicol|2001b|p=139}} In 1927 Hamburg Süd strengthened its competition by introducing the liner {{SS|Cap Arcona|1927|2}}, which not only matched the speed of the French ships{{sfn|Talbot-Booth|1936|p=410}} but at {{GRT|27561}} also became the largest ship on the route between Europe and South America.{{sfn|Talbot-Booth|1936|p=332}}

==Repowering with steam turbines==
In 1931 the [[Royal Mail Case]] resulted in the jailing of Lord Kylsant, and in 1932 the company was reconstituted as a new body, Royal Mail Lines, chaired by [[Frederick Lewis, 1st Baron Essendon|Lord Essendon]]. He claimed that German, Italian,  and French competitors were running ships to South America at {{convert|22|kn|km/h}}, giving a passage about five days quicker than RMSP.{{sfn|Nicol|2001b|p=139}} The new RML company immediately considered how to raise the speed of ''Asturias'' and ''Alcantara''.{{sfn|Nicol|2001b|p=132}} Essendon concluded that foreign competitors were losing money at 22 knots, but a range of options to raise the speed of ''Asturias'' and ''Alcantara'' to {{convert|19|to|22|kn|km/h}} should be evaluated. Essendon also proposed inviting foreign competitors to agree on a 19-knot speed limit on the South American route, so that all companies could economise on fuel and attempt to cover their costs.{{sfn|Nicol|2001b|pp=138–139}}

At that time marine diesel power was at a relatively early stage of development, and RML considered it unable to increase the two ships' speed to the required level. Lord Essendon therefore recommended [[Steam turbine#Marine propulsion|steam turbines]], and two options for the drive system: either conventional reduction gearing, or the newer [[Turbo-electric transmission#Ships with turbo-electric drive|turbo-electric transmission]] that had been pioneered in the USA and successfully applied to US, UK and French ocean liners. Whichever transmission was chosen, the cost of re-engining ''Asturias'' and ''Alcantara'' was estimated at about £500,000. Lord Essendon also urged RML directors to order a third ship of similar speed to share the route with ''Asturias'' and ''Alcantara''.{{sfn|Nicol|2001b|pp=138–139}}

Given the [[Great Depression]] at the time, the RML board rejected the idea of a new ship. At first it was prepared to have only one ship re-engined, and proposed reassigning the other to [[Cruise ship|cruising]] to replace the ageing A-series liner {{SS|Atlantis|1913|2}}. However, in May 1933 the board consented to have both ''Asturias'' and ''Alcantara'' re-engined, and at the same time to lengthen their bows and improve the accommodation. RML awarded the work to Harland and Wolff, but with a condition in the contract that the ships must achieve at least {{convert|18+3/4|kn|km/h}}, and a graduated penalty clause in case the actual speed increase should fall short of that figure.{{sfn|Nicol|2001b|p=140}} In the same year, Lord Essendon succeeded in getting RML's competitors to accept a 19-knot speed limit on the South American route.{{sfn|Nicol|2001b|p=139}}

Harland and Wolff fitted each ship with three water-tube boilers supplying [[superheated steam]] at 435 [[Pounds per square inch|lb<sub>f</sub>/in<sup>2</sup>]] to a set of six turbines that drove her twin propeller shafts by single reduction gearing. The [[National Physical Laboratory (United Kingdom)|National Physical Laboratory]] helped the shipyard to design new [[Airfoil|aerofoil]]-section [[Bronze#Composition|manganese bronze]] three-bladed [[propeller]]s; the rudders were also streamlined.{{sfn|Nicol|2001b|p=140}} The new machinery succeeded in increasing each ship's [[Horsepower#Nominal horsepower|nominal horsepower]] by 25% and increased their speed to about {{convert|19|kn|km/h}}.

''Asturias'' was converted first, going to Belfast in May 1934 and returning to service in October. Only after ''Asturias'' had successfully completed a voyage from Southampton to Rio de Janeiro and back did RMSP send ''Alcantara'' to Harland and Wolff at Belfast in November. She returned to service in May 1935.{{sfn|Nicol|2001b|p=142}}

Each ship had two funnels, of which the forward one was a dummy.{{sfn|Nicol|2001b|p=132}} As built the funnels were low, which was a fashion for some 1920s and '30s motor ships. When the ships were re-engined in 1934 each funnel was increased in height.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

==Second World War service==
In 1939 the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] requisitioned ''Alcantara'' and ''Asturias'' and had each ship converted into an armed merchant cruiser. The mainmast and forward dummy funnel of each ship were removed to increase the [[arc of fire]] for their [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] guns.

''Alcantara'' was sent to [[Malta]] for further modifications, but ''en route'' she had a major collision with the [[Cunard Line|Cunard]] ship {{RMS|Franconia|1922|6}}. As a result, ''Alcantara'' continued to [[Alexandria Port|Alexandria]] for hull repairs. The beds from ''Alcantara'' were sent to Malta, installed in Admiralty House and used for bombed out civilians and naval staff.<ref>{{harvnb|Vernon|2011|p=31}}</ref>

On 28 July 1940 ''Alcantara'' encountered the German {{ship|German auxiliary cruiser|Thor}} in the South Atlantic. With her steam turbines ''Alcantara'' made {{convert|21+1/2|kn|km/h}} for four hours to chase ''Thor'',{{sfn|Nicol|2001b|p=142}} and two shells from ''Alcantara''{{'}}s [[BL 6 inch Mk XII naval gun|six-inch main gun]]s hit the German ship. But three shells from ''Thor'' hit ''Alcantara'' and one flooded her engine room. This forced ''Alcantara'' to reduce speed, enabling ''Thor'' to escape.

In 1943 ''Alcantara'' was converted into a troop ship.

==Final years and artefacts==
[[File:Żabbar Alcantara panels.JPG|thumb|''Alcantara'' panels at Żabbar Sanctuary Museum on
Malta]]

''Alcantara'' remained a troop ship well after the end of the war, and did not return to civilian service until October 1948. ''Asturias'' remained in UK Government service as an emigrant ship, and ''Alcantara'' resumed their route between Southampton and South America, together with {{RMS|Andes|1939|2}}.{{sfn|Nicol|2001b|p=147}} In April 1958 she was withdrawn from service and sold to Japanese shipbreakers who renamed her ''Kaisho Maru'', took her to Japan and broke her up in the same year.

As part of the conversion to an auxiliary ship, mahogany wood panelling in the lobby was removed and stored in order to be replaced after the war. Eventually, the panels were not reused but were sold to the [[Parish Church of Our Lady of Graces, Żabbar|Parish Church of Our Lady of Graces]] in [[Żabbar]], [[Malta]], where they were used as the platform for the 1951 titular painting coronation ceremony. The panels are now in the [[Żabbar Sanctuary Museum]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Zabbar Sanctuary Museum |url= http://maltadailyphoto.blogspot.com/2010/03/zabbar-sanctuary-museum.html |website=Malta daily photo |access-date=19 November 2014 |date=13 March 2010}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|20em}}

==Sources and further reading==
* {{cite book |last1=Osborne |first1=Richard |last2=Spong |first2=Harry |last3=Grover |first3=Tom |year=2007 |title=Armed Merchant Cruisers 1878–1945 |place=Windsor |publisher=World Warship Society |isbn=978-0-9543310-8-5 |ref=none}}
* {{cite book |last=Nicol |first=Stuart |year=2001a |title=MacQueen's Legacy; A History of the Royal Mail Line |volume=1 |place=Brimscombe Port and Charleston, SC |publisher=[[The History Press|Tempus Publishing]] |isbn=0-7524-2118-2 |ref=none}}
* {{cite book |last=Nicol |first=Stuart |year=2001b |title=MacQueen's Legacy; Ships of the Royal Mail Line |volume=2 |place=Brimscombe Port and Charleston, SC |publisher=[[The History Press|Tempus Publishing]] |isbn=0-7524-2119-0 |pages=130–149 }}
* {{cite book |last=Talbot-Booth |first=E.C. |year=1936 |title=Ships and the Sea |edition=Third |place=London |publisher=[[Sampson Low]], Marston & Co. Ltd }}
* {{cite book |last=Vernon |first=Caroline |title=Our Name Wasn't Written |date=2011 |place=Canberra |publisher=Stringybark Publishing |edition=3rd |isbn=978-0987092212 }}

==External links==
{{commons category|Alcantara (ship, 1927)}}

{{July 1940 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alcantara (1927)}}
[[Category:1926 ships]]
[[Category:World War II Auxiliary cruisers of the Royal Navy]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in July 1940]]
[[Category:Ocean liners of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Passenger ships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Ships built by Harland and Wolff]]
[[Category:Ships built in Belfast]]
[[Category:Ships of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company]]
[[Category:Steam turbine-powered ships]]
[[Category:Troop ships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:National Physical Laboratory (United Kingdom)]]