SS Linz was an Austro-Hungarian Ocean Liner that hit a mine in the Adriatic Sea 4 miles northwest of the Cape of Rodon, while she was travelling from Fiume, Croatia to Durazzo, Albania under command of Captain Tonello Hugo.

SS Linz.
History
Austria-Hungary
NameAustria-Hungary Linz
OwnerLloyd Austriaco
Port of registryAustria-Hungary Trieste, Italy
BuilderLloyd Austriaco
Yard number116
Launched20 April 1909
Completed1909
FateStruck a mine and sunk 19 March 1918 [A 1]
General characteristics
TypeOcean Liner
Tonnage3,819 GRT
Length105 metres (344 ft 6 in)
Beam13.3 metres (43 ft 8 in)
Depth9.8 metres (32 ft 2 in)
Installed powerTriple expansion steam engine
PropulsionScrew propeller
Speed12.5 knots
Capacity1003 passengers and crew

Construction

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Linz was constructed in 1909 at the Lloyd Austriaco shipyard in Trieste, Italy. She was requisitioned by the Austro-Hungarian Navy and used to transport troops and prisoners on Albanian routes.

The ship was 105 metres (344 ft 6 in) long, with a beam of 13.3 metres (43 ft 8 in) and a depth of 9.8 metres (32 ft 2 in). The ship was assessed at 3,819 GRT. She had a triple-expansion steam engine driving a single propeller and the engine was rated at 390 nhp (291 kW).

Sinking

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Linz was sunk on 19 March 1918.[1][2][A 2] Linz was on a voyage from Fiume in what is now Croatia, to Durazzo in what is now Albania, escorted by three Austro-Hungarian Navy ships – the Tátra-class destroyer SMS Balaton and the torpedo boats SMS Tb-74 and SMS Tb-98. The ship officially had 1,003 passengers on board, of which 413 were Italian prisoners-of-war being transported to labour camps in Albania. After a stop in the port of Zelenika, Linz hit a mine – although witnesses claimed to have seen a torpedo wake – at 00:25 hours and sank 20 minutes later, 4 nautical miles (7.4 kilometres) northwest of Cape Rodonit in the Adriatic Sea. A total of 697 passengers and crew died, including 283 Italian prisoners-of-war and an International Red Cross nurse. Balaton and the two torpedo boats saved 306 passengers and crew.[3] An enemy submarine unsuccessfully attacked Tb-98.[1]

Annotations

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  1. ^ Wrecksite.eu gives two dates 19 March 1918 and 20 February 1918
  2. ^ Wrecksite.eu gives two dates 19 March 1918 and 20 February 1918

Citations

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References

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  • Russell, Gareth (November 3, 2020). The Ship of Dreams: The Sinking of the Titanic and the End of the Edwardian Era. 9781501176739. - Total pages: 448
  • wrecksite (2022). "SS Linz (+1918)". wrecksite.eu. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  • Silvia (10 October 2013). "Piroscafo LINZ, 19 Marzo 1918" (in Italian). pietrigrandeguerra.it. Retrieved February 20, 2022.