Originally constructed in 1941 as Ausonia but in 1944 capsized in shallow water. The wreck was raised in 1947 and re-built by Riuniti Adriatico, Monfalcone emerging in 1949 as Esperia.

9,314 gross tons.

She lasted in the Adriatica Line fleet until 1974 when she was broken up at La Spezia

The photograph shows her alongside the Caramanli Mole at Tripoli, Libya on a rare cruise visit to that city in 1969. This was just prior to the revolution which brought Colonel Gaddafi to power an event that brought tourism to the country to a halt for many years.