SS Athenia

SS Athenia was a British passenger liner that played a significant role during the early stages of World War II. Launched in 1922, she served primarily as a transatlantic cruise ship and later as a troop transport. In September 1939, shortly after the war began, Athenia was torpedoed by a German submarine off the coast of Ireland, becoming the first British merchant ship sunk during the conflict. The attack resulted in the loss of 112 lives and highlighted the dangers of maritime travel during wartime, marking a tragic moment in the history of civilian shipping in World War II.