SS Sud America I

History
Italy
Name	SS Sud America (1872-1884) SS Sud America I (1884-1888)
Owner	Lavarello Fratelli Fu G. B., Genoa (1872-1883) Matteo Bruzzi & Co (1883-1884) La Veloce Linea di Navigazione Italiana a Vapore (1884-1888)
Builder	Wigham Richardson, Newcastle upon Tyne
Yard number	82
Launched	12 June 1872
Completed	October 1872
Fate	Sunk in a collision on 13 September 1888
General characteristics
Type	Ocean liner
Tonnage	2,246 GRT 1,265 NRT
Length	314 feet (96 m)
Beam	35.3 feet (10.8 m)
Depth	28.8 feet (8.8 m)
Installed power	400 nhp
Propulsion	Four masts 1 × 2 cylinder compound engine One propeller
Speed	12 knots (14 mph)
Capacity	75 first class passengers 52 second class passengers 750 immigrants
Crew	70

SS Sud America was an Italian ocean liner. She was built by Wigham Richardson, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, and launched in 1872. She was operated by Lavarello Fratelli Fu G. B from 1872 until 1883. Her second owner was another Italian shipping company, La Veloce Navigazione Italiana a Vapore S. A., from 1884, who renamed her SS Sud America I.

Sinking

On 13 September 1888, the ship was transporting from 260 passengers and 69 crew from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Genoa, Italy, via Las Palmas, Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. The ship was also carrying 700 tonnes of cargo. The ship was docked in the bay and the passengers were disembarking, while preparations were made for anchoring in order to load coal in the bay at Las Palmas. While this was being carried out, the French steamer La France collided with the bow of the Sud America I. The Sud America I sank almost instantly in 49 feet (15 m) of water, leaving only the tops of her four masts visible, 2,000 feet (610 m) from the beach. Seventy nine of the 329 passengers and crew died in the disaster.