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The 28,132 grt S.S. Belgenland was certainly the largest and finest vessel to sail under the flag of the Red Star Line. Her hull was originally laid down in 1912 as the Belgic for the White Star Line but the intervening war years changed her future form and service drastically. Serving as a troopship from 1917, she was laid up for over three years following the war until Harland & Wolff were able to accommodate her in a free berth for refitting. The newly enlarged liner was transferred to the Red Star Line and began her maiden voyage on 17th March 1923 as the renamed S.S. Belgenland. In December 1924, she embarked on a 133 day world cruise, then one of the longest cruises embarked upon by any large vessel in commercial service. Across her career, Belgenland would establish herself at the head of the new-fashioned concept of the World Cruise with her staterooms regularly booked out by the rich and famous.
Serving as a transatlantic liner yet also undertaking regular cruising duties, Belgenland represented an interesting addition to the fleets of the 'Cabin Class' era. In many ways she marked an interesting mid-point in the changing period of ocean travel in the 1920s. From 1929, she operated a unique three class passenger configuration, carrying First Class, Tourist-Third Cabin, and Third Class. She therefore continued to carry a prestigious class of First Class passenger alongside plentiful accommodations for the new tourist 'leisure' market. The depression proved especially trying for Belgenland and she was laid up during the winter of 1932-33. She completed three final Mediterranean cruises for the Red Star Line in summer 1934 before being sold to the Atlantic Transport Line. Rechristening her as S.S. Columba, her new owners made unsuccessful attempts to re-introduce her to commercial service. She finally met the scrappers at Bo'ness, Scotland in May 1936. |
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First ClassFirst Class aboard S.S. Belgenland was more in line with the offering of the great transatlantic liners than with her smaller 'Cabin Class' fleet-mates. With palatial public rooms, modern leisure facilities, and an extensive number of suites, her accommodations attracted the great and good aboard her elegant World Cruises.
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Tourist ClassIn 1929, Belgenland became once of the first large liners to offer Tourist-Third Cabin without an intermediate Second Class. Her new single Tourist Class accommodations were particularly extensive, offering spacious and comfortable travel for a new class of passenger.
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