MICHELANGELO passenger ship 1965

[aukepalmhof]

Built as a passenger liner with cargo capacity under yard No 1577 by Cantieri Navali Ansaldo, Genova, for Italia Società per Azioni di Navigazione (Italia Line).
08 September 1960 keel laid down.
16 September 1962 launched under the name MICHELANGELO, christened by Mrs. Laura Segni the wife of the Pres1dent of the Italian Republic. One sister the RAFFAELLO.
Tonnage 45.911 grt, 24.572 net, dim. 275.8 x 30.99 x 15.80m., length bpp. 243.96m.
Powered by two steam turbines, double reduction, manufactured by the shipbuilder, 87.000hp., twin screws, service speed 26.5 knots, maximum 29 knots.
Passenger accommodation for 535 first, 550 cabin, 690 class passengers, crew 725.
When cruising she carried 1200 passengers in one class.
11 March 1965 sea trials.
21 April 1965 completed building cost US$ 50 million.

12 May 1965 under command of Capt. Mario Crepaz and with on board 1.495 passengers sailed from Genoa and via Cannes and Naples for her maiden voyage to New York, where she arrived on 20 May.

On 16 September on a voyage to New York with on board 745 passengers her super-structure was severely damaged during a gale in the mid-Atlantic, when one very high wave hit the forward super-structure, tearing a large hole in the superstructure in which two passengers were killed and one crew member.

She was built for the liner service from Italy to North America, but was also used in the service from Southampton to New York, and occasional made some cruises from New York.
February 1972 her accommodation changed to first and tourist class only.
10 April 1975 she made her last sailing from Genoa in the liner service across the North Atlantic
26 June 1975 she made her last sailing from New York and via Naples and Cannes arrived on 05 July at Genoa. After arrival laid up, later moved to La Spezia.
During her career as a North Atlantic liner she crossed 121 times the Atlantic, and carried 245.839 passengers
1976 Sold to the Iranian Navy as accommodation ship. She was sold together with her sister the RAFFAELLO for US$ 2 million each.
08 July 1977 sailed from Genoa with on board 100 Italian crew members and 50 Iranian sailors and arrived 19 July at Bandar Abbas.
21 July she hoisted the Imperial Iranian Navy flag in the presence of Shah Rezha Palevi., she was not renamed.

Used as a floating accommodation ship for the sailors of the Iranian Navy, she could accommodate 1.300 mariners and 500 officers.

1991 Sold to Pakistan breakers and arrived off Gadani Beach on 07 June 1991.

(She is wrongly spelt MICHAELANGELO on the Grenade Carriacou&Pitite Martinique stamp.

Grenada Carriacou & Petite Martinique 2004 sg?, scott?

Source: Watercraft Philately Vol.46 page 72. North Atlantic Seaway by Bonsor.
http://www.michelangelo-raffaello.com/e ... service_mi