liner MARTINIQUE

Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, 1869 - 1892

Design features

Martinique (iron liner) 1869 - 1892
hull material : ...................iron
previous name(s) of ship : ........vera-cruz
detailed type : ...................iron liner
type of propulsion : ..............1 propeller
building year of ship : ...........1855
name of shipyard : ................Laird Co
place of construction : ...........Liverpool
year of entering the fleet : ......1869
length (in meters) : ..............80,77
width (in meters) : ...............11,04
gross tonnage (in tons) : .........1625
deadweight (in tons) : ............1500
type of engine : ..................compound 2 cylinders
engine power (in HP) : ............1500
nominal speed (in Knots) : ........13

History

Second of two ships built on behalf of the British shipping company South American & General Steam Navigation Company, under the name of IMPERATRIX. Sistership: TAMPICO (1854). Brought into service in 1855 on a line connecting Liverpool to South America. Bought by Transat in 1862. Renamed VERA CRUZ and placed on the line of Mexico in July. In June 1866, is transferred on the line Le Havre-New York to ensure the transport of emigrants. In 1869, receives a compound engine. Renamed MARTINIQUE, she is placed again on the line of Mexico. In December 1878, she inaugurates a new line connecting Marseille to Cuba. In 1879-80, is used during a few months on the lines of North Africa, while waiting for the delivery of the ships of Compagnie Valéry. Sold for the demolition in 1892 in Glasgow, Scotland, after a 37 years career.