cargo ship LOUISIANE

Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, 1929 - 1939

History

Cargo liner delivered on May 21, 1921 to the Compagniede Navigation Mixte under the name of NOTRE DAME DE FOURVIERES, twin of LA MARSEILLAISE, intended for a project of line on the east of the Indian continent which is abandoned, and is used on the international tramping. Chartered with her twin on April 23, 1925 by the TRANSAT for a 10 years' period on the line of the West coast of the USA and Canada. Acquired the 1st December 1929 and renamed LOUISIANE and FLORIDE. On 10 March 1937, outgoing of the english Channel bound for Savannah, during a violent storm following a shock the shaftline breaks and the propeller is lost. The 12 the storm worsening, she drifts away with a list reaching 43 degrees. The 16, ABEILLE 22 joined her and takes her in tow for Brest reached on March 22. The 1st October 1939 travelling alone from the United Kingdom towards the Gulf of Mexico after scattering of the convoy, she is sunk by gunfire by the German submarine U48 by 50°14' N and 15°02' W. the crew is recovered by English destroyers ILEX and IMOGEN and is disembarked at Plymouth. She is the first Transat ship lost during second world war.