liner VILLE D'ALGER

Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, 1935 - 1966

Design features

Ville d'Alger (steel liner) 1935 - 1966
hull material : ...................steel
previous name(s) of ship : ........
detailed type : ...................steel liner
type of propulsion : ..............2 propellers
building year of ship : ...........1935
name of shipyard : ................Chantiers & Ateliers de St Nazaire
place of construction : ...........Penhoët
year of entering the fleet : ......1935
length (in meters) : ..............136,50
width (in meters) : ...............19,23
gross tonnage (in tons) : .........9889
deadweight (in tons) : ............2115
type of engine : ..................2 single reduction geared turbine sets
engine power (in HP) : ............19800
nominal speed (in Knots) : ........21

History

At the time the largest French steamer built for the lines of North Africa. Her speed enabled her to connect Marseille to Algiers in less than 20 hours. Often presented like NORMANDIE of the Mediterranean. Sistership : VILLE D'ORAN (1936). Brought into service in September 1935. At the time, has two funnels, the back funnel being a dummy one. Is requisitioned at the beginning of 1940 to take part to the expeditionary force to Norway, like transport of troops. Contrary to VILLE D'ORAN, she retains her two funnels. In June, transports a part of the gold stock of Banque de France from Brest to Casablanca and Dakar then is laid up in Dakar. After the defeat, her service during a few months begins again then is laid up in Algiers. Is seized by the Germans in January 1943. Laid up in Caronte, Italy. Used on the spot as floating hotel in 1944. Burnt down and scuttled by the German troops in retreat in August 1944. Set afloat then completely rebuilt in February 1945. Her superstructures are shortened and her back chimney removed. Later, the front chimney will be modernized and raised. Her service in July 1948 begins again on the lines of North Africa. Sold in April 1966 to the Greek ship-owner Typaldos. Renamed POSEIDON then laid up. Used in 1967 and 1968 on a line connecting Marseille to Haïfa, under the management of Aegean Steam Navigation Company. White hull. Laid up in Scaramanga after the setting in liquidation of her ship-owner in July 1968. Demolished in La Spezia, in Italy, in 1969.