The RMS Transylvania was a notable British ocean liner launched on 11 March 1925 for the Anchor Line. Built in Glasgow, Scotland, by the Fairfield shipyard (Yard No. 595), she measured approximately 552 feet (168 meters) in length and 70.2 feet (21.4 meters) in beam. The vessel was equipped with twin propellers, enabling a service speed of 15.5 knots (28.7 km/h; 17.8 mph). She featured three funnels—more than her sister ships, which only had one—primarily for aesthetic appeal and passenger attraction, despite only requiring one for functional purposes. Transylvania was completed on 2 September 1925, making her maiden voyage from Glasgow to New York just ten days later. Her passenger capacity was substantial, accommodating 279 in First Class, 344 in Second Class, and 800 in Third Class, totaling 1,423 passengers. In 1929, she experienced a notable incident when she ran aground in fog at La Coeque Rocks, located 10 nautical miles west of Cherbourg. She disembarked her passengers there and proceeded to Clyde for repairs. The vessel underwent a change in passenger accommodations in 1930, reflecting the rise in international tourism. With the outbreak of World War II, Transylvania was requisitioned by the Royal Navy in September 1939, converted into an armed merchant cruiser with the pennant F56. She was assigned to the 10th Cruiser Squadron and participated in the Northern Patrol, a blockade operation against Germany. Her service was cut short when, on 10 August 1940, she was torpedoed off Malin Head, Ireland, by the German U-boat U-56. Despite being towed stern-first, she sank before reaching land, resulting in the loss of 36 lives. The wreck lies at a depth of approximately 134 meters (440 feet), located about 30 nautical miles north of Tory Island. The RMS Transylvania's history highlights her role as a transatlantic passenger liner and her brief but significant wartime service, marking her as a vessel of both commercial and military maritime history.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.