liner FRANCE

Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, 1912 - 1934

Design features

France (steel mail liner) 1912 - 1934
hull material : ...................steel
previous name(s) of ship : ........
detailed type : ...................steel mail liner
type of propulsion : ..............4 propellers
building year of ship : ...........1910
name of shipyard : ................Direction Scott
place of construction : ...........Penhoët
year of entering the fleet : ......1912
length (in meters) : ..............210,83
width (in meters) : ...............23,08
gross tonnage (in tons) : .........23666
deadweight (in tons) : ............6384
type of engine : ..................4 direct active turbines triple expansion
engine power (in HP) : ............45000
nominal speed (in Knots) : ........22,8

History

Built in shipyard under the name of PICARDIE, renamed FRANCE before her launching, the second ship to bear this name within the company. At the time, the largest French steamer, her dimensions having been imposed by those of the docks in Le Havre. The only French steamer with 4 funnels. FRANCE never officially competed for the record speed on the North Atlantic but the power of her machines made her the third fastest steamer on the North Atlantic, after the famous LUSITANIA and MAURETANIA of Cunard. FRANCE leaves Le Havre for her maiden trip on April 20, 1912, that is to say 5 days after the shipwreck of TITANIC. It should be noted that the lifeboats of FRANCE have, from the putting into service, a sufficient capacity to accommodate all the passengers and the members of crew. The steamer will carry out all her career on the line Le Havre-New York, initially in company of LA PROVENCE, LA SAVOIE and LA LORRAINE, then, after war, in company of the PARIS and ILE DE FRANCE steamers. The luxury and the style of her accomodations will be worth to her the nickname of "Versailles of the Atlantic" (or "Château of the Atlantic", according to the sources). It is even said that, during the Twenties, certain customers were in a great request for the most luxurious cabins by auctions… In August 1914, FRANCE is converted into an auxiliary cruiser and renamed FRANCE IV but it is quickly transformed and used like transport of troops. At the end of 1915, she is converted into ship-hospital, with a capacity of 2.500 beds. In April 1918, she is converted into transport of troops (capacity: 5.000 men) then used to convoy the American task force, and this until March 1919. In 1918, an explosion in the engine room makes 9 victims. Takes again her regular service under the name of FRANCE in August 1919. In 1923, is fitted out with the oil-fuel burning. From 1927, she carries out cruisings in Europe regularly. Laid up in Le Havre in September 1932. Sold for the demolition in Dunkerque in November 1934. Leaves Le Havre on April 15, 1935, that is to say less than one month before the maiden arrival of NORMANDIE, to be demolished.