The origins of this line go back to 1923 when an Italian by the name of Achille Lauro purchased second hand tramp steamers to carry goods between his home port of Naples to other Italian ports and the coast of Eastern Africa.
By the end of the 2nd World War much of his fleet had been destroyed and so he set about rebuilding in 1945.
To take advantage of the huge emigrant demand which existed at the time he purchased the submerged hulk of a ship which lay off the island of Crete and renovated it, the reason being there were virtually no other ships to buy because Italian shipbuilding services had not recovered from the war.
In 1948 this famous Italian line began its shipping services and was responsible for bringing many immigrants to Australian shores.
In 1982 Flotta Lauro fell into financial difficulties and collapsed. Achille Lauro died in 1983
Ref: Ships That Passed by Scott Baty
