ancient ERIDANO, Bari 1943

[davidships]

In September 1885 British former cable-layer and Transatlantic liner EDINBURGH (ex-AMSTERDAM ex-EDINBURGH), built in 1855, was bought by Italian Government at Suakin, Sudan (she had been sent there earlier that year under charter to the British Government as a fresh water supply ship for the military campaign). Initially renamed TEVERE, she had a refit in Venice and then served as naval transport/colonial vessel ERIDANO, and later as a hydrographic vessel. As I understand it, she was deleted from the active list in 1907 she was used as an accommodation ship at the torpedo school at La Maddalena, Sardinia; then as an ammunition storeship at La Spezia until 1916. At the end of WW1 she was transferred to Opera Nazionale del Patronato, Rome, moved to Bari as a floating school for local children, including nautical training, and transferred to Bari municipality 15/1/1925. She apparently continued in this role until 1943.
www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?ref=22565

I have two questions (and would welcome any corrections/additional info):

1 - It is believed that she was re-engined during her 1885 Venice refit. Does anyone have details of the new installation

2 - What happened to her in 1943? Was she damaged in military action, or just fell apart through old age (88 years)? Or did the school close but the ship remain there a bit longer?

Also are any photos known from her time at Bari?


David

[Aris]

Hi David
Very interesting ship story, never thought she could survive that long.
I am sure you know that in December 1943 a huge ammo explosion took place in Bari harbor with many ships sinking as a result. If she was still there then she probably didn't survived this...

[davidships]

Thanks Aris for noting the possible connection with that dreadful air raid.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_raid_on_Bari

I wonder whether there are Italian sources that cover that from the civilian population point of view?

[de domenico]

Thanks Aris for noting the possible connection with that dreadful air raid.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_raid_on_Bari

I wonder whether there are Italian sources that cover that from the civilian population point of view?

There is "Poisonous Inferno. World War II Tragedy at Bari Harbour" by George Southern, Airlife Publishing, 2002

No mention of ERIDANO there, however.

[davidships]

Thanks DD. To be honest, I would not surprised at non-mention of an old hulk that had been used as a floating school for some 25 years, unless there had been significant loss of life. But local press or social/municipal history would be more likely to mention it, I think.