SS Karnak was a French Passenger ship turned Troop transport that the German submarine SM U-32 torpedoed on 27 November 1916 in the Mediterranean Sea 70 nautical miles (130 km) south south east of Valletta, Malta. Karnak was carrying mostly troops from Marseille and Malta to Saloniki, Greece.[1]
 SS Karnak when she was named Annam between 1899 and 1904
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| History | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name |
|
| Namesake | Karnak, Egypt |
| Owner | Messageries Maritimes |
| Port of registry |  Marseille, France |
| Ordered | 1898 |
| Builder | Messageries Maritimes, La Ciotat |
| Yard number | 114 |
| Launched | 1898 |
| Completed | September 1899 |
| Acquired | 1899 |
| Maiden voyage | 1899 |
| In service | 1899 |
| Identification | Official number: 5601059 |
| Fate | Torpedoed and sunk 27 November 1916 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Passenger ship |
| Tonnage | 6,816 GRT |
| Length | 142 metres (465 ft 11 in) |
| Beam | 15.5 metres (50 ft 10 in) |
| Depth | 11 metres (36 ft 1 in) |
| Installed power | 2 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engines |
| Propulsion | 2 screw propellers |
| Sail plan | Marseille - Malta - Saloniki |
| Speed | 18 knots |
| Capacity | 394 Passengers |
Construction
editKarnak was built at the Messageries Maritimes shipyard in La Ciotat, France in 1898. Where she was launched and completed the following year. The ship was 142 metres (465 ft 11 in) long, had a beam of 15.5 metres (50 ft 10 in) and had a depth of 11 metres (36 ft 1 in). She was assessed at 6,816 GRT and had 2 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engines driving two screw propellers. The ship could reach a maximum speed of 18 knots with her 20 boilers generating 832 n.h.p.. She also had 2 funnels and a white hull which was later repainted to black.[2]
Sinking
editDuring World War I Karnak was used as a Troop transport by the French admiralty mainly on the route Marseille - Malta - Saloniki. It was during a voyage from Malta to Saloniki, Greece when the with troops crowded Karnak was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine SM U-32 on 27 November 1916, 70 nautical miles (130 km) south south east of Valletta, Malta. The ship sank in 15 minutes and claimed the lives of 17 people, but the number of survivors is unknown.[2]
Wreck
editThe wreck of Karnak lies at (35°07′N 15°25′E / 35.117°N 15.417°E).[1]