HMS Transylvania (F56)

HMS Transylvania was a British liner later converted into an armed merchant cruiser, pennant F56. She was launched on 11 March 1925 and sunk by the German U-boat GS U-56 (1938) on 10 August 1940.

The SS Transylvania was built in Glasgow, Scotland, by the Fairfield company, Yard No. 595. She was 552 feet long and 70.2 feet wide. The liner had two propellers and could sail at 17 knots. Transylvania had three funnels (smokestacks) but only needed one; three funnels were more visually appealing and attracted more passengers than her similar-looking fleetmates that only had one funnel apiece. Transylvania was completed on 2 September 1925, and sailed from Glasgow to New York on her maiden voyage 10 days later. Transylvania could carry 279 in First Class, 344 in Second Class and 800 in Third Class.

In September 1939, the liner became an armed merchant cruiser and on 10 August 1940, off Malin Head, Ireland she was torpedoed by the GERMAN SUBMARINE U-56. Transylvania was being towed afterward but sank before reaching land. 36 lives were lost.