Savona 16th – 17th June 2012

SS TRANSYLVANIA technical characteristics:
Launched 23rd May, 1915
Tonnage: 14,348 grt
Propulsion: two steam turbines Pearsons, eight steam boilers, twin screw.
Length: 548.3 feet /167.1 m
Breadth: 66.6 feet / 20.3 m
Draught: 42 feet /13.3 m
Speed: 17,5 knots /32.4 Kmh

The historical event
S.S. Transylvania was a luxury passenger liner built in 1914 by Scott’s Shipbuilding Company, Greenock ( Port Glasgow). At the beginning of World War I, the Transylvania was taken over by the Royal Navy for service as a troop transport on completion. On May 3rd, 1917 the Transylvania sailed from Marseille (France) escorted by the two Japanese destroyers Matsu and Sakaki. She was carrying more than 3000 passengers among crew members, soldiers and nurses, all directed to Alessandria (Egypt). At about 10 a.m. on May, 4th 1917 the ship was on her course in front of the Isle of Bergeggi, two miles south off the Coast of Cape Vado, when she was hit by two torpedoes fired by the German UB63 under the command of Lieutenant Otto Schultze and sank. The two escort ships immediately came to the rescue but there was a strong south-westward current. Many shipwrecks were rescued by local fishermen, off the coast of Finale Ligure and Noli who received a silver medal by the British Government.
The victims were 407 in all, 86 of which were buried in the town cemetery in Zinola. A marble memorial (Cross of Pradani) has been erected on the rocks in front of the area, in honour of the many who died in the shipwreck.
The finding of the wreckage.
On October 7th 2011, after 94 years from the sinking, the Carabinieri Divers’ Corp of Genoa in collaboration with Gaymarine of Lomazzo (Como) with the aid of Pluto, a small submarine vehicle of the Italian Navy, found the wreck of Transylvania at a depth of 630 metres, two and a half miles off the coast of the Isle of Bergeggi, Savona.

ShipRadio Memorial

On the 95th anniversary of the sinking of the S.S. Transylvania, the local Section of Radio Amateur Association wants to celebrate the victims of this tragic event.
From 07.00 a.m. GMT of June 16th , to 07.00 p.m. GMT of 17th a radio station is being activated with the call sign
IQ1SV
“Special Event”
released to Savona A.R.I. Section by the Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico – Telecomunicazioni.
The radio station will work from two different locations:
- a fixed station located in Saint Elena’s Fort on the heights of the town of Bergeggi, 385 metres over the sea level, looking on to the area of the sinking.
- a mobile maritime station located on the G.P.S. coordinates of the wreck.
The multi operator station will work on 10 – 15 – 20 – 40 – 80 – 160 meters with CW, phone and digital PSK31 emissions.
Each contact will be confirmed with a special commemorative QSL (QSL manager IQ1SV via Association or direct with IRC c/o P.O. box 133 – 17100 SV – Italy).
A.R.M.I. (Italian Radio Amateur Association) and I.N.O.R.C. (Italian Naval Old Rhythmers Club) will participate to this radio memorial as operators along with the A.R.I. Section of Savona.

The event will be carried out with the agreement of:
Lega Navale Italiana, Port Authority of Savona, C.U.L.P. (Port Workers of Savona) and the Municipalities that gave help and assistance to the shipwrecks.
On June 16th a wreath will be laid at sea. All the maritime authorities are invited to this ceremony.

Many Thanks 73, IK1OUK Bruno