SS De Grasse was a transatlantic liner built in 1921 by Cammell Laird, Birkenhead, United Kingdom for Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, and launched in February 1924.

In August 1924 De Grasse set sail on her maiden voyage from Le Havre to New York.

At the start of World War II, it continued its crossings, but in a slightly militarized version (blocked portholes, light armament).

[4] In 1956, Empress of Australia was sold to Sicula Oceanica, and after a refit, the ship was renamed Venezuela and served the Naples to the Caribbean route.

[3] In 1924 De Grasse transported British actor Arthur Margetson and his wife Rosamund on its maiden voyage from Le Havre, arriving in New York on 5 September.