October 1948. Asturias remained in UK Government service as an emigrant ship, and Alcantara resumed their route between Southampton and South America, together with . In April 1958 she was withdrawn from service and sold to Japanese shipbreakers who renamed her Kaisho Maru, took her to Japan and broke her up in the same year. As part of the conversion to an auxiliary ship, mahogany wood panelling in the lobby was removed and stored in order to be replaced after the war. Eventually, the panels were not reused but were sold to the Parish Church of Our Lady of Graces in Żabbar, Malta, where they were used as the platform for the 1951 titular painting coronation ceremony. The panels are now in the Żabbar Sanctuary Museum. References Sources and further reading External links 1926 ships World War II Auxiliary cruisers of the Royal Navy Maritime incidents in July 1940 Ocean liners of the United Kingdom Passenger ships of the United Kingdom Ships built by Harland and Wolff Ships built in Belfast Steam turbine-powered ships Troop ships of the United Kingdom