SS Rex: Italy's Ship of State

SS Rex was built to compete with the large ocean liners of other countries including Germany's Bremen and Europa. The ship's original owner was forced to merge with its competitor by Italy's dictator Mussolini and Rex joined her rival Conte di Savoia as a fleet mate. As Italy's premier passenger liner, Rex was comfortable, large, and fast and even captured the westbound Blue Riband early in her career. She was beautiful inside and out, featured two on-deck pools, and was ideal for both traversing the southern Atlantic route and cruising the Mediterranean. Unfortunately, Rex met an early end during World War II.

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Sources:

1. “Ocean Liners: An Illustrated History,” by Peter Newall. 2018.

2. “The Only Way to Cross,” by John Maxtone-Graham. 1972.

3. “Liners to the Sun,” by John Maxtone-Graham. 1985.

4. “Rex,” Italian Liners Historical Society. https://www.italianliners.com/rex-en.

5. “The Sway of the Grand Saloon: A Social History of the North Atlantic,” by John Malcolm Brinnin. 1971.