Built as passenger/cargo/reefer vessel under yard No 629 by John Brown & Co. Clydebank for the Cunard-White Star Line Ltd., Liverpool.
12 December 1946 launched under the name MEDIA.
Tonnage 11.721 gross, 7.480 net, 11.636 dwt., dim. 165.50 x 21.30 x 14.02m.
Powered by four geared turbines, manufactured by builder, 15.000 shp., twin screws, speed 18 knots.
Passenger accommodation for 250 first class passengers. Crew 184.
Cargo capacity 12.944 cubic meter.
August 1947 completed.
20 August 1947 sailed for her maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York, and was used in this North Atlantic service till sold 1961.
1952 Fitted out with stabilizers.
October 1961 sold to Compagnia Genovese di Armamento (Cogedar Line), Genoa, Italy for £740.000, renamed FLAVIA.
Completely rebuilt and modernised by Officine A&R Navi, Genoa.
Accommodation for 1.224 passengers in one tourist class. Tonnage increased to 15.465 gross, length 169.80m.
Fitted out with air-condition. Her stem rebuilt to a pronounced curve, and superstructure extended.
September 1962 made her first voyage from Genoa to Sydney, Australia.
December 1962 from Bremerhaven and Southampton to Australia.
1963 Was she put in a round the world service from Rotterdam via Bremerhaven and Southampton to Curaçao, Cristobal, Balboa, Papeete, Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Fremantle, then via Aden, Port Said to Genoa and sometimes Naples or Cannes.
From 1968 used in the cruise trade.
1969 Sold to Costa Armatoro S.p.A. (Costa Line), Naples, Italy not renamed.
Used in the cruise trade from Miami.
1982 Sold to Flavian Shipping SA, Panama, renamed in FLAVIAN.
25 October 1982 laid up at Hong Kong.
1986 Sold to Lavia Shipping SA. Panama, renamed in LAVIA.
07 August 1989 when she underwent renovation of Kau Yi Chau she got on fire, was towed the next day to shallow waters where she heeled over onto her side on a sandbank.
She was sold to Far Eastern shipbreakers.
19 June 1989 arrived under tow at Kaohsiung, Taiwan for demolition.
(She is seen on the Bahamas stamp alongside, ahead of the EMERALD SEAS top left vessel.)
Bahamas 1984 35c sg 677, scott ?
Panama 1979 3c and 23c sg 1144/45, scott 594 and 597.
Source: North Star to Southern Cross by Maber. Merchant Fleets in Profile Volume 2 by Duncan Haws.
Marine New 1989/183/484.