With the building of the Bremen and Europa, the Columbus was supplanted as the queen of the NDL fleet.
In 1929, she was given a refit to make her resemble her younger, larger and faster running mates.
This included the addition of two larger smokestacks and replacement of the reciprocating engines with geared steam turbines.

She left Bremerhaven on 20 June 1939.
 At the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, Columbus was ordered to return to Germany at once.
The Royal Navy was on the lookout for enemy ships.
Putting her passengers ashore at Havana, Cuba, her captain and crew sped to Veracruz, evading the British.
 In early November, they received orders to attempt a blockade run to Germany.
 On 14 December the Columbus departed Veracruz, escorted by seven American destroyers through the American coastal neutrality zone.

On 19 December the British destroyer HMS Hyperion sighted Columbus about 400 miles off the coast of Virginia.
The still neutral American heavy cruiser Tuscaloosa was also in the area, and silently observed the two ships.
Rather than surrender the ship, her crew scuttled her, and she burned and sank.
Her passengers and crew, 576 crewmembers, including boys, stevedores and nurses, were taken aboard Tuscaloosa as rescued seamen, not as prisoners of war as they would have been had the British picked them up.
Tuscaloosa took all personnel to New York City.
   On 18 January 1940, 512 crewmen were moved to Angel Island.
 In October, 8 officers were able to escape on the Asama Maru.
 In 1941, 411 German nationals from the Columbus were sent to Fort Stanton, New Mexico.
At the end of war many returned to Germany.
With the building of the Bremen and Europa, the Columbus was supplanted as the queen of the NDL fleet. In 1929, she was given a refit to make her resemble her younger, larger and faster running mates. This included the addition of two larger smokestacks and replacement of the reciprocating engines with geared steam turbines.
She left Bremerhaven on 20 June 1939.  At the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, Columbus was ordered to return to Germany at once. The Royal Navy was on the lookout for enemy ships. Putting her passengers ashore at Havana, Cuba, her captain and crew sped to Veracruz, evading the British.  In early November, they received orders to attempt a blockade run to Germany.  On 14 December the Columbus departed Veracruz, escorted by seven American destroyers through the American coastal neutrality zone.
On 19 December the British destroyer HMS Hyperion sighted Columbus about 400 miles off the coast of Virginia. The still neutral American heavy cruiser Tuscaloosa was also in the area, and silently observed the two ships. Rather than surrender the ship, her crew scuttled her, and she burned and sank. Her passengers and crew, 576 crewmembers, including boys, stevedores and nurses, were taken aboard Tuscaloosa as rescued seamen, not as prisoners of war as they would have been had the British picked them up. Tuscaloosa took all personnel to New York City.    On 18 January 1940, 512 crewmen were moved to Angel Island.  In October, 8 officers were able to escape on the Asama Maru.  In 1941, 411 German nationals from the Columbus were sent to Fort Stanton, New Mexico. At the end of war many returned to Germany.
SS Columbus (1922)