Steamship Reina Victoria Eugènia

The steamship Reina Victoria Eugenia, built in 1913 by William Denny Brothers of Dumbarton (Scotland), commissioned for construction by the Compañía Trasatlantica Española. For several years, the Reina Victoria Eugenia was the largest steamship in the Spanish merchant fleet, registered with 10,137 tonnes gross, a displacement of 13,666 tn; engines with 11.840 hp., a capacity of 159 passengers in first class, 290 in second, 122 in third and up to 805 emigrants. The Compañía Trasatlàntica used this ship on its South America line, which was the destination of most Spanish and Italian emigrants who travelled on the packet boats owned by the Compañía. However, in later years, the ship’s capacity for transporting passengers was reduced by law. It sailed under the name of Reina Victoria Eugènia from 1913 to 1931, and was renamed the Argentina, for the period 1931 to 1936. During the Civil War, the republican authorities used the Argentina as a prison ship for political prisoners. In 1947 it was scrapped at the port of Bilbao. The drawing shows very precise details of not only the vessel but also of people’s life and work on board.