liner ARéTHUSE

Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes, 1864 - 1898

History

Bought on slipway in the United Kingdom for 950,000 F. in 1864, this iron propeller ship with two masts and a chimney very tilted, cutwater stem was built like a yacht. Intended to comply with the obligations of the new convention with the State signed on 2 June 1864 reorganizing the service road of the Mediterranean and Indo-China, carries out her maiden trip on Algiers on November 26, 1864 then is assigned like stationary in Hong Kong for the connections with Shangaï to replace the HYDASPE who was shipwrecked. First ship of MESSAGERIES IMPERIALES to call in Yokohama in 1865 on the secondary line Shangai-Yokohama which she ensures with the DUPLEIX. In 1873 returns to France to ensure the mail service of Algeria then in 1879, is assigned on the lines at the departure of Constantinople. In 1886, returns to Far East on the new line Saigon-Manila which she inaugurates. In 1893 ensures the opening of the secondary service Saigon-Haïphong-Hong Kong. In 1897 her replacement is ensured by the ERIDAN. Sold to Hong Kong April 1898, then resold to Shangaï where she is used as pontoon.