liner DE LA SALLE

Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, 1921 - 1943

History

Ordered by Compagnie Cyprien Fabre. Bought on slipway by Transat. Transat will order later on a twin ship whom will be bought on slipway by the Compagnie Fabre and will be baptized SINAIA. Strangely, Transat will make, in 1936, the acquisition of a Dutch steamer of size and similar style, BRETAGNE, ex-FLANDRIA, built by the same shipyard. Brought into service in October 1921 on the line of Gulf of Mexico. In 1929, carries out some triangular rotations via New York. In 1933, is transformed into fuel oil heating. In 1934, with MACORIS ensures the service of the additional line of Haïti. After the reorganization of the line of the West Indies intervened in 1935, is placed on the "slow" line connecting Saint-Nazaire and Bordeaux to the West Indies and the Firm Coast, which she will serve until 1940. For 3 months, during the autumn in 1936, she will also serve Casablanca at the departure of Bordeaux. After the defeat, is requisitioned by the Germans to take part in the invasion of England. In November 1940, in Casablanca, passes under control of British Ministry of War. July 9, 1943, whereas she sailed in convoy, is torpedoed by the German submarine U508 in the gulf of Benin, between Freetown and Walvis Bay. The shipwreck makes 10 victims.