Yugoslav steamer IVO MATKOVIC (former French LA ROCHEFOUCAULD, later Italian DIOCLEZIANO)
Posted by:
LColombo (IP Logged)
Date: March 24, 2019 07:53AM
I am looking for information about the Yugoslav steamer Ivo Matkovic, later Italian Diocleziano.
This was a 2,527 GRT steam freighter, built in 1920 by Ateliers et Chantiers de Bretagne, Nantes, as La Rochefoucauld. In 1930 her owner was the Société Générale d'Armement, Nantes, although I am not completely sure this was her owner already in 1920. In 1934 she was bought by Eugen Matkovic, Bakar, and renamed Ivo Matkovic. In 1941, following the invasion of Jugoslavia, she was seized by Italy (though I have found "at Italy's disposal since July 1941", which seems strange) and was renamed Diocleziano. In September 1943, while evacuating Italian troops from Kotor following the Armistice of Cassibile, she was badly damaged by German air attacks (at least 300 killed) and run aground on Bisevo. No information about her subsequent fate.
Does anyone know more? Who were her owners between 1920 and 1930, what happened to her after 1943 (scrapped, or maybe repaired?), and are there any pictures of this ship?