document imprimé depuis le site frenchlines.com le July 19, 2008, 7:15 am
liner ANDRé LEBON
Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes, 1915 - 1952 
Design features
type : ......................liner
detailed type : .............
hull material : .............steel
type of propeller : .........2 propellers
building year : .............1913
name of shipyard : ..........Chantiers
place of shipyard : .........La Ciotat
sister ship(s) : ............Paul Lecat
previous name(s) : ..........
service life in the company :1915 / 1952
launching : .................lancé le 27 octobre 1913 à La Ciotat
crew : ......................
passengers : .................200 passagers de 1ere classe, 184 passagers de 2nde classe, 109 passagers de 3eme classe et 564 passagers en entrepont
length : ....................161,30 meters
width : .....................18,80 meters
gross tonnage : .............13682 tx
net tonnage : ...............7375 tx
deadweight : ................9285
displacement : ..............19260
engine type : ...............deux machines alternatives à quadruple expansion
power hp : ..................11000cv
power hp usual : ............1140cvnx
speed : .....................17 n
lines : ....................
remarks : ..................
withdrawal from service : ..Vendu à la démolition (La Seyne, décembre 1952)
subsequent names : .........
History
Twin steamer of PAUL LECAT built for the line of Far East pursuant to the convention of 1912. Bears the name of the President of Messageries Maritimes from 1902 to 1914, former minister of the Colonies. Brought into service on November 10, 1915, accomplishes a voyage to Japan. Requisitioned on 24 August 1916 and transformed into hospital ship of a capacity of 816 beds amounting to 1200, beginning 1917. Assigned to the medical service of the East Army leaves Toulon on September 19, 1916 for Salonique. Accomplishes 10 voyages and is reconditionned the 1st December 1917. Returns on the line of Far East in 1918. In 1919 surprised by a strong gale during a coal loading on roads of Singapore, due to open ports, takes list and sinks on a shoal. Refloated, is repaired in Singapore then in Marseille. In 1922 repatriates from China, Polish refugees. The 1st September 1923 is in Yokohama at the time of the earthquake which destroys Tokyo and Yokohama. Gathers 1500 refugees, among whom services of the French embassy and the ambassador Paul Claudel until September 11. Captain Cousin is made Officer of the Légion d'Honneur, the chief engineer Sentout and the pursuer Clermont, knights of the Légion d'Honneur. Laid up for transformations in 1936, she alternates since 1938 with the line of Levant. In September 1939 takes part in the L1 convoy returning from Beirut when MARIETTE PACHA collides CHENONCEAUX. On August 23, 1941 leaves Toulon with the convoy D to repatriate the troops of Syria from Beirut. Delivered to Germans within the scope of the agreements Laval Kaufmann, but with French crew, is used as floating hotel in Toulon for the engineers and workmen of the Werft since May 6, 1943. Damaged during the 7 and 11 March allied bombardments, in 1944, she sinks alongside the wharf. Given to flood on May 5, 1945 is repaired and transformed by Forges et Chantiers de La Méditerranée in La Seyne. Departure of Marseille in October 19, 1945 for Indo-China. Is the first French ship to return to Yokohama on October 20, 1948. Replaced by new ships, is withdrawn from the service on 12 December 1952 and is sold to the demolition in La Seyne.