SS Europa was a German ocean liner built for the Norddeutsche Lloyd (NDL) line, launched in 1928. Known for its speed and advanced technology, Europa, along with its sister ship SS Bremen, was among the fastest ocean liners of its time.

Europa's maiden voyage on March 19, 1930, marked its entry into the transatlantic race, where it won the Blue Riband for the fastest westbound crossing of the Atlantic with an average speed of 27.9 knots.

The ship measured 936 feet in length, with a beam of 101 feet and a gross tonnage of 49,749 GRT. It had 12 decks and could accommodate up to 2,195 passengers, served by a crew of 950. Europa featured four steam turbines generating 105,000 horsepower, driving four large propellers.

During World War II, Europa remained largely inactive but was captured by the Allies in 1945 and used by the US Navy as a troopship under the name USS Europa (AP-177).

Post-war, the ship was transferred to France as part of war reparations and underwent a challenging refit, during which it faced several incidents, including fires and a collision. Renamed SS Liberté, the ship entered service for the French Line in 1950, operating primarily on the Le Havre-New York route until it was retired in 1962 and scrapped in 1963.

Europa's story reflects the tumultuous history of the early 20th century, transitioning from a symbol of German engineering prowess to a vital asset in the aftermath of global conflict.