Will the MS PHILIPPINES soon find salvation in her former home port of Genova as a floating hotel and museum? Read on to learn more about the sole survivor of a once vast fleet of great Italian ocean liners and take a tour of the ship both in her transatlantic heyday and as she is today.

Built as AUGUSTUS
Italia SA di Navagizioni, Genoa (Italian Line South American service)
Built by Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico, Trieste
Yard no: 1757
Most recently refurbished at Manila and Subic Bay, Philippines, 1999
27,090 GT
207.4 by 26 m/ 681 by 87.3 feet
Two 12 cylinder FIAT diesels; Twin screw; 27,000 BHP 21 knots
Passengers/guests: 1186

Italia's powerful MV AUGUSTUS is shown at sea in a popular b/w post card view. Peter Knego collection.

The second unit in famed Italian Line's first post war duo, the AUGUSTUS followed her 1951-built twin, GIULIO CESARE, in February of 1952. These two liners were not only remarkably streamlined and futuristic for their day, they set new standards on the South American run with pools for each of three classes and full air conditioning. The famed but tragic ANDREA DORIA and an entire generation of ocean liners, not only from Italy but worldwide, would draw inspiration from her trendsetting profile.

AUGUSTUS is launched by Signora Francesca De Gasperi, the Italian prime minister's wife, on 19 November 1950. Peter Knego collection.

With sharply raked, bulbous bows, curved superstructures, modern masts, massive and streamlined funnels, terraced lidos and elegant cruiser spoon sterns, GIULIO CESARE and AUGUSTUS were visions of power and grace. Pronounced sheer, tumblehome, and camber were to become hallmarks of Italian post war ship design and these two ships, although relegated to the less celebrated South American run, were among the finest Atlantic liners of their time.

Even in its incomplete state, the hull of AUGUSTUS is a magical combination of beauty and power, as shown sliding down the ways at Trieste's CRDA shipyard. Peter Knego collection.

Their external beauty held up to the most scrutinizing standards with pleasingly sculpted and multi-planed bridge wings, a suggestive nape at the aft funnel base, and even a trademark ventilator aft of the funnel that was nicknamed the "robot" for its unusual configuration.

 

Early artwork capitalized on the streamlined look of GIULIO CESARE and AUGUSTUS. Peter Knego collection.

Internally, AUGUSTUS was divided into three distinct classes: 178 in a relatively small, but spacious first; 288 cabin; and 714 in less opulent but comfortable tourist. Various designers such as Gustavo Pulitzer Finali, Cervi, and Frandoli were responsible for different public areas, which also benefited from the works of such artists as Sbisa, Mascherini, and Music.

An enhanced color post card view of AUGUSTUS at sea. Peter Knego collection.

GIULIO CESARE and AUGUSTUS maintained a regular service to Buenos Aires from Genoa, calling at Naples, Cannes, Barcelona (or Lisbon), Rio de Janeiro, Santos, and Montevideo. Following the loss of the ANDREA DORIA, AUGUSTUS was diverted to the North Atlantic run in February of 1957, sailing between Genoa and New York via Cannes, Naples, and Gibraltar. She was kept on this routing with intermittent South American sailings until 1961, when the advent of the LEONARDO DA VINCI allowed her to return permanently to the South Atlantic.

A remarkable color view of AUGUSTUS at sea. Copyright Maurizio Eliseo 2001.

In 1964, both ships were converted to two classes with the elimination of cabin class. Their new configurations were for 325 first and 858 tourist class passengers. Although still modern and magnificent, AUGUSTUS and GIULIO CESARE were often overshadowed by their North Atlantic counterparts ANDREA DORIA, CRISTOFORO COLOMBO, LEONARDO DA VINCI, MICHELANGELO, and RAFFAELLO. Indeed, the vast Italian fleets of the 1950's and 1960's were among the most beautiful and streamlined vessels ever built, each a "ship of state" in its own individual respect. Ironically with all of the aforementioned liners since scrapped or sunk, and a likewise fate for the fleets of fellow Italian companies Adriatica, Costa (now a Carnival Corporation conglomerate with modern ships), and Lloyd Triestino, the former AUGUSTUS is the last wholly unaltered survivor of this sadly lamented era.

Her career with Italia lasted until January of 1976, when she was laid up at Naples. The GIULIO CESARE met a relatively early end in 1973, when rudder damage, diminishing demand on the South American run, and a financially strapped Italia sent her off to La Spezia breakers.

AUGUSTUS would carry on the remainder of the twentieth century in relative obscurity in another part of the world. Before we catch up with the second half of her story, let's have a look at the ship during the Italian Line era.

Important reference material on Italian Line and the MV AUGUSTUS: THE LIDO FLEET by Peter C. Kohler, TRANSATLANTICI by Maurizio Eliseo.

Continue here for page two: AUGUSTUS tour

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