Piroscafo Motia

[geosub1978]

Hello!

I am looking information about an italian steamer called MOTIA which was present in WW2. I wonder if there is any technical info and if that ship had a notable event during its career. In the web there is nothing special unfortunately.

Thank you!

[phil morgan]

Greetings Geosub

1939 copy of Lloyds Register gives MOTIA as the former British ship War Dirk built by Caledon Dundee in 1918

MOTIA ex Sicania ex War Dirk
Gross 2473
Built 1918 Caledon, Dundee
Dimensions 298X42X19 feet

Good hunting

Phil

[Martin Vyn]

According to Mitchell/Sawyer British Standard Ships of WW.I, War Dirk was a "D" type standard ship, completed Nov. 1918. Renamed Sicania in 1919 and Motia in 1920. Scrapped Viareggio 9.1959.
According to the same source "D" type was a single-deck collier, length bp 285 ft, breadth moulded 41 ft 9 inches, depth moulded 21 ft 2,5 inches, deadweight 2.980 ton, single screw. Speed at sea 11,5 knots on 1.900 HP. There were 27 of them ordered from various shipyards. Design was from S.P. Austin & Son. Ltd.

Martin

[Martin Vyn]

BTW Miramar gives renaming into Sicania for 1920 for SA de Nav. "La Sicania", Trapani. Same owner renamed her Motia in 1924 so there is some discrepancy in the dates. Motia kept her name when she was moved to Giuseppe d'Ali & C., Trapani in 1936.

Martin