liner AUSTRALIEN

Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes, 1890 - 1918

History

First steamer of a series of four (AUSTRALIEN, POLYNESIEN, ARMAND BEHIC, VILLE DE LA CIOTAT) with two chimneys, three-masted bark rigged then with three masts all of a piece, contemplated to be transformed into auxiliary cruisers, built in La Ciotat according to the plans of Risbec. Intended for the line of Australia to face the competition of the quartet of P&O "Jubilee Ships" (VICTORIA, BRITANNIA, ARCADIA and OCEANIA). First departure from Marseille on March 3, 1890. The 4 blades of the propeller are damaged in the Suez Canal. Two are rectified in Sydney, on the way back a damage of the slide valve of the small cylinder immobilizes her during 30 hours and she returns to Marseille at a speed of 12 knots. In 1891 tows to Ajaccio the Austrian steamer APIS of LLOYD AUSTRO UNGARICO liable to a damage of machine. In 1895 is painted in white until 1905. July 3, 1895 leaves Marseille with Paul Gauguin who goes to Marquises islands where he settles definitively. In 1903 assigned to the line of Far East. September 27 runs aground on the island of Umashima Japan. Refloated by cruisers MONTCALM and BUGEAUD, towed and repaired in Nagasaki. August 1914 requisitioned like auxiliary ship. Repainted in gray. In April 1915 takes part in the landing of Dardanelles and evacuates the casualties. In 1916 transports the Serb troops from Corfou to Salonique. On July 19, 1918 carries out a voyage in convoy from Marseille to Port Said escorted by an English sloop and 4 japanese destroyers. Torpedoed by the German submarine CPU54, takes fire and sinks the following day at 6h30 after having remained afloat 13 hours, making 64 victims (45 passengers and 19 members of the crew).