On Ships They Came: SS Melita

  

Canadian Pacific S.S. Melita c.1918

When construction began in 1913, the SS Melita was intended for the Hamburg America Line. World War I intervened, however, and while on the stocks she was purchased by Canadian Pacific. After being launched in 1917, she was towed to Belfast for the installation of her engines and outfitting.

She entered service with a 25 January 1918 maiden voyage from Liverpool to St. John, New Brunswick.

During the period from 1922 to 1927, Melita was in Canadian Pacific's Antwerp to St. John service. She then provided service from Britain to Canada, beginning in April 1927.
After 146 Atlantic crossings, Melita was used for local cruising until she was sold for scrap in Genoa in 1935. She was bought from the breakers by Italia, renamed Liguria, and used as a troop transport.  She was scuttled in January 1941, after being damaged in a 1940 air attack on Tobruk.  She was then raised and scrapped in 1950.
 
Nikolaus Lakatos immigrated from Segenthau, Romania, to Quebec, Canada, aboard this ship in 1924.

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