Alcantara
Ship Number
435
Vessel Type
Passenger Ship
Built
Govan Yard
Slip Number
A
Launch Date
October 30, 1913
Delivered
May 28, 1914
Owner
Royal Mail Steam Packet Co
Weight
15831 grt
BP Length
570 feet
Breadth
67 feet
No. of Screws
Triple
Speed (approx)
15.25 knots
Propulsion
2xT4cyl (27"42"49"49"x51") 1610nhp 17kn to outer screws low pressure turbine to centre screw
Official No.
132050
Registered
Belfast
Fate
Sank
Alcantara

[Harland and Wolff Collection]
Fitted with refrigerated cargo space for the Argentine meat trade she was built by Harland & Wolff, Glasgow, she  started her maiden voyage from Southampton to Buenos Aires on 19th June 1914.
 
Converted to an Armed Merchant Cruiser in 1915 with 8 x 6in guns and 2 x 6 pounders. On 29th Feb.1916 in the Skaggerak, she, together with her sister ship Andes, intercepted a merchant ship disguised as the Norwegian Rena.
 
The ship disclosed herself as the German raider Greif and opened fire, causing great damage to Alcantara which developed a heavy list. Greif was also on fire and Alcantara was abandoned and later sank. British warships arrived on the scene and, together with the Andes sank the Greif and picked up survivors. Alcantara lost 72 men and Greif lost 280.
 
[South Atlantic Seaway by N.R.P.Bonsor]