Monte Rosa (ship)

The Monte Rosa was a German passenger ship built by Blohm & Voss in Hamburg, Germany, and launched in 1930. She was one of five sister ships of the Monte class, designed for service on the Hamburg-South America route. These ships were notable for their size and luxury, offering first-class accommodations and amenities.

During World War II, the Monte Rosa was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine (German Navy) and used as a troop transport. She served primarily in the Baltic Sea, transporting troops and equipment. She also served as a hospital ship for a time.

After the war, the Monte Rosa was seized by the British as a prize of war. She was then used as a troopship and renamed the Empire Windrush in 1947. As the Empire Windrush, she became famous for bringing West Indian immigrants to the United Kingdom, playing a key role in the postwar reconstruction of the country and marking a significant moment in British history. The Empire Windrush sank off the coast of Algeria in 1954 following an engine room fire. While her career as the Monte Rosa is less well-known, it represents a significant part of the ship's history before her more famous wartime and postwar service.