The Fleets
Formed in 1865 principally to carry iron ore from Bone to Marseilles and Sete and in 1865 also opened services between Marseilles, Algiers and Oran. Passenger services to South America commenced in 1867. In 1907 a subsidiary Compagnie de Navigation France-Amerique was set up. A monthly service to the West Indies commenced in 1915 and was shortly afterwards extended to Gulf of Mexico ports and New Orleans.
The company suffered considerable losses in World War I but rebuilt their fleet. They finally ceased passenger operations in 1964 mainly due to the rising popularity of air travel, but continued with cargo trade.
This company also owned the cargo steamer MONT BLANC which they sold in 1907. This was one of the ships involved in the Halifax Explosion in 1917.
Many thanks to Ted Finch for his assistance in collecting this data. The following list was extracted from various sources. This is not an all inclusive list but should only be used as a guide.
Routes
- Marseilles - Genoa - Naples
- Marseilles - Dakar - Bahia - Rio de Janeiro - Santos - Montevideo - Buenos Aires.
- Marseilles - Algiers - Point a Pitre - Fort de France - Gulf ports.
- Marseilles - Oran.
- Marseilles - Algiers.
- Marseilles - Bougie.
- Marseilles - Bone - Philippeville.
- Marseilles - Sete - Oran - Mostaganem. (cargo only)
- Marseilles - Algiers - Alicante
- Marseilles - Oran - Alicante.
Ships
| Name | Built | Additional Information | GRT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algerie | 1901 | 1916 sunk by German submarine UC.22 in Mediterranean. | 4,035 |
| Alsace (1) | 1866 | 1892 sunk in collision with s/s FORIA off Marseilles. | 1,073 |
| Alsace (2) | 1888 | ex- Adelaide la Varello, 1899 purchased from La Veloce renamed Alsace, 1921 scrapped. | 1,906 |
| Alsina | 1921 | 1942 sunk in German air attack at Bougie. | 8,403 |
| Anjou | 1868 | 1887 scrapped. | 653 |
| Aquitaine | 1890 | 1927 scrapped. | 3,252 |
| Artois | 1866 | 1907 sold to Castanie renamed Algerie. | 1,020 |
| Aster | 1893 | ex- Cayo Mono, 1915 purchased from Cie. Navigation Mixte renamed Aster, 1919 sold to Cie. Paquet. | 2,965 |
| Auvergne (1) | 1866 | 1878 lost at Tabarka. | 1,016 |
| Auvergne (2) | 1879 | ex- Vasco da Gama, 1883 purchased renamed Auvergne, 1908 sold to Greece renamed Eurotas. | 1,538 |
| Bearn | 1881 | scrapped at Marseilles in 1901. | 4,143 |
| Berry | 1884 | 1907 sold. | 1,647 |
| Bourgogne | 1865 | ex- Uitenhage, 1867 renamed Bourgogne, scrapped at Marseilles in 1896. | 3,675 |
| Bretagne (1) | 1866 | 1871 lost in Black Sea. | 1,016 |
| Bretagne (2) | 1876 | 1903 wrecked at Bahia, Brazil. | 2,209 |
| Bretagne (3) | 1951 | 1960 chartered to Chandris Line, 1961 sold to Chandris Line for Australian emigrant service renamed Brittany. | 16,355 |
| Campana | 1929 | 1940 laid up at Buenos Aires, 1943 seized from Vichy France by Argentina at Buenos Aires renamed, renamed Rio Jachal, 1946 returned to owners, renamed Campana, 1955 sold to Italy renamed Irpinia. | 10,816 |
| Capitaine Paul Lemerle | 1921 | 1952 sold to Italy renamed Umbro. | 4,945 |
| Cavalaire | 1943 | ex- John S. Bassett, 1947 acquired renamed Cavalaire. 1963 sold to Panama renamed Akri. | 7,245 |
| Cordoba | 1903 | ex- Prinzregent, (German East Africa Line), 1920 war reparations renamed Cordoba, 1932 scrapped. | 6,210 |
| Dauphine | 1866 | 1901 sold to Spain renamed Helvetia. | 1,020 |
| Espadon | 1962 | 1977 sold to Liberia renamed Lethe. | 4,905 |
| Espagne | 1891 | 1923 converted to livestock carrier, 1933 scrapped. | 3,952 |
| Flandre | 1886 | ex- Tijuca, 1911 purchased renamed Flandre, 1927 scrapped. | 2,192 |
| Florida | 1926 | 1942 bombed and sunk by German air attack at Bougie, 1944 salvaged and repaired, 1955 sold to Italy renamed Ascania. | 9,330 |
| Formosa | 1906 | 1929 scrapped. | 4,508 |
| France | 1896 | 1915 shelled and sunk by German submarine U-38 off Sardinia. | 4,025 |
| Franche Comte | 1866 | 1910 scrapped. | 1,020 |
| Gouverneur General Laferriere | 1923 | 1935 sold to A. Klaguine, Marseilles. | 3,453 |
| Gouverneur General Tirman | 1922 | 1935 transferred from Cie. Navigation Mixte, 1943 German Hospital Ship Tubingen, 1944 sunk in British air attack in Adriatic. | 3,509 |
| Guaruja | 1921 | 1938 wrecked on Cape de Gate, Spain. | 4,282 |
| Hyeres | 1943 | ex- Benjamin R. Milan, 1947 acquired renamed Hyeres, 1960 sold to Liberia renamed Duero. | 7,244 |
| Ile de France | 1882 | ex- Burgemeester Den Tex, 1903 purchased from Nederland S.S. Co. renamed Ile de France, 1914 sold to Spain renamed Urguito. | 3,358 |
| Ipanema | 1921 | 1942 seized by Germany and allocated to Italy renamed Villarosa, 1943 sunk in Allied air attack on Naples, 1945 salvaged by Italy and renamed Taurinia. | 4,282 |
| Italie | 1894 | 1929 scrapped. | 3,966 |
| La France | 1870 | 1895 scrapped. | 3,246 |
| Languedoc | 1884 | 1916 torpedoed and sunk by U-Boat in Mediterranean. | 1,653 |
| Le Lavandou | 1943 | ex- John N. Robins, 1946 chartered renamed Le Lavandou, 1948 transferred to Cie des Transports Oceaniques. | 7,176 |
| Les Alpes | 1892 | ex- British Princess, 1895 purchased from British Shipowners Ltd renamed Les Alpes, 1909 scrapped. | 3,986 |
| Les Andes | 1892 | ex- British Prince, 1895 purchased from British Shipowners Ltd renamed Les Andes, 1908 scrapped. | 3,975 |
| Lorraine | 1866 | 1902 sold to Italy renamed Partenope. | 1,020 |
| Maine | 1896 | ex- Tadorna, 1909 purchased from Cork SS Co, Cork renamed Maine, 1931 scrapped. | 1,482 |
| Marocain | 1852 | 1866 purchased from Teissier & Co, 1868 scrapped. | 840 |
| Mendoza | 1920 | 1941 captured from Vichy France by HMS ASTURIAS, 1942 torpedoed and sunk by U-178 East of Durban, while operated by the MOWT managed by Alfred Holt & Co (Blue Funnel Line). | 8,199 |
| Mira | 1895 | ex- Cayo Blanco, 1915 purchased from Cie. Navigation Mixte renamed Mira, 1916 sunk by U-Boat near Sicily. | 3,050 |
| Mont Agel (1) | 1911 | 1914 sunk in South Atlantic by German raider KRONPRINZ WILHELM. | 4,617 |
| Mont Agel (2) | 1920 | 1943 sunk in Allied air attack at Bastia. | 4,572 |
| Mont Agel (3) | 1950 | 1961 sold to Formosa (Taiwan) renamed Tai Hsing. | 5,549 |
| Mont Aigoual (1) | 1900 | ex- Burgermeister von Melle (Siemers & Co, Hamburg), 1922 war reparations renamed Mont Aigoual, 1924 scrapped. | 4,496 |
| Mont Aigoual (2) | 1920 | ex- Sunhaven, 1925 purchased from Mitchell, Cotts & Co, London renamed Mont Aigoual, 1934 sold to Soc. Anon de Gerance et d'Armement renamed Miliana. | 2,954 |
| Mont Aigoual (3) | 1956 | ex- Holthav, 1964 purchased from Norway renamed Mont Aigoual, 1975 sold to Greece renamed Doros. | 9,204 |
| Mont Blanc (1) | 1899 | 1906 sold to Anquetil, 1915 to French Line, 1917 blew up at Halifax. | 3,121 |
| Mont Blanc (2) | 1956 | ex- Sunoak, 1961 purchased from Norway renamed Mont Blanc, 1972 sold to Liberia renamed Polydora. | 8,590 |
| Mont Cenis (1) | 1900 | 1907 sold to H. E. Moss & Co, Liverpool renamed Sefton. | 3,250 |
| Mont Cenis (2) | 1911 | 1934 scrapped. | 4,617 |
| Mont Cenis (3) | 1955 | ex- Sungran, 1961 purchased from Norway renamed Mont Cenis, 1975 sold to Greece renamed Achaion. | 8,587 |
| Mont Cervin | 1905 | ex- Phoenix, 1906 purchased from Hoyland & Co, London renamed Mont Cervin, 1928 sold to Greece renamed Cardamyla. | 3,576 |
| Mont Dore | 1903 | ex- Freshwater, 1925 purchased from H. E. Moss & Co, London renamed Mont Dore, 1928 sold to Greece. | 4,238 |
| Mont Everest | 1918 | ex- Mount Everest, 1923 purchased from H. E. Moss & Co., Liverpool renamed Mont Everest, 1953 sold to Panama renamed Lagos Erie. | 5,120 |
| Mont Genevre | 1918 | ex- Mount Berwin, 1925 purchased from H. E. Moss & Co, London renamed Mont Genevre, 1934 sold to Greece renamed Neion. | 5,154 |
| Mont Kemmel | 1910 | ex- Rendsburg, 1920 war reparations renamed Mont Kemmel, 1934 sold to Greece renamed Dimitrios Chandris. | 4,643 |
| Mont Pelvoux | 1907 | 1933 scrapped. | 4,206 |
| Mont Rose | 1902 | 1924 went missing with all hands on passage Oran to Havre. | 3,848 |
| Mont Ventoux (1) | 1904 | ex- Durndale, 1906 purchased from H. E. Moss & Co, Liverpool renamed Monte Ventoux, 1910 sold to French Line. | 3,233 |
| Mont Ventoux (2) | 1939 | ex- Indochinois, 1957 purchased from French Line renamed Mont Ventoux, 1964 sold to Greece renamed Ambassade. | 8,564 |
| Mont Viso (1) | 1911 | 1917 sunk by U-Boat off Cherchel. | 4,819 |
| Mont Viso (2) | 1921 | 1943 sunk by U-Boat near Tenes. | 4,531 |
| Mont Viso (3) | 1951 | 1961 sold to Formosa (Taiwan) renamed Tai Lung. | 5,549 |
| Monte D'Oro | 1904 | 1906 purchased from Cia. Mediteraneenne de Nav., 1910 sold to Sec. de Transports Bretons. | 296 |
| Navarre | 1881 | 1882 wrecked near Marseilles. | 4,122 |
| Nivernais | 1882 | ex- Sumatra, 1901 purchased from Nederland S.S. Co. renamed Nivernais, 1918 torpedoed and sunk by U-Boat near Cape Bengut, Mediterranean. | 2,355 |
| Normandie | 1866 | 1875 wrecked on south coast of France. | 1,020 |
| Numidie (1) | 1863 | 1866 purchased from Teissier & Co, 1882 sold to Spain renamed Pepe Ramos. | 471 |
| Numidie (2) | 1883 | ex- Santiaguena, 1899 purchased renamed Numidie, 1903 sold to Indo-China renamed Kampot. | 832 |
| Orleanais | 1882 | ex- Lombok, 1901 purchased from Nederland S.S. Co. renamed Orleanais, 1909 scrapped after collision with VILLE D'ALGER (French Line). | 2,553 |
| Pampa | 1906 | 1918 torpedoed and sunk by UB-51 off Malta. | 4,471 |
| Parana | 1908 | 1917 torpedoed and sunk by U-Boat off Greece. | 6,248 |
| Picardie | 1865 | ex- Albany, 1867 purchased renamed Picardie, 1876 sold to Valery, France, 1881 to French Line. | 3,675 |
| Plata | 1907 | 1931 scrapped. | 5,577 |
| Poitou (1) | 1867 | 1893 scrapped. | 1,926 |
| Poitou (2) | 1883 | ex- Soembing, 1903 purchased from Rotterdam Lloyd renamed Poitou, 1907 wrecked on coast of Uruguay; loss of 20 lives. | 2,453 |
| Provence (1) | 1884 | 1927 scrapped. | 3,941 |
| Provence (2) | 1950 | 1961 chartered to Costa Line, 1965 sold to Costa Line renamed Enrico C. | 15,889 |
| Rigel | 1899 | ex- Abbey Holme, 1915 purchased from Cie. Navigation Mixte renamed Rigel, 1927 scrapped. | 3,365 |
| Russie | 1897 | 1915 sold to Finland renamed Urania. | 1,934 |
| Salta | 1911 | 1917 mined and sunk off Havre while serving as British Hospital Ship. | 7,250 |
| Savoie (1) | 1854 | ex- Cristobal Colon, 1867 purchased renamed Savoie, 1891 scrapped. | 2,588 |
| Savoie (2) | 1889 | ex- Citta di Genova, 1899 purchased from La Veloce renamed Savoie, 1927 scrapped. | 1,901 |
| Sidi Abdallah | 1881 | ex- Agios Georgios, 1917 purchased renamed Sidi Abdallah, 1922 sunk in collision off Carthagena. | 1,188 |
| Sidi Aich | 1956 | 1965 sold to Philippines renamed Guimaras. | 2,385 |
| Sidi Aissa | 1927 | 1957 sold to Italy renamed Rosaetnea. | 2,586 |
| Sidi Bel Abbes (1) | 1929 | 1943 sunk by U-Boat in Mediterranean. | 4,392 |
| Sidi Bel Abbes (2) | 1948 | 1963 sold to Hellenic Mediterranean Lines renamed Apollonia. | 5,226 |
| Sidi Brahim | 1910 | 1951 sold to Turkey renamed Umran (Costa Rica flag) | 2,427 |
| Sidi Ferruch (1) | 1901 | ex- Rubi, 1915 purchased from Philippines SS Co, Manila, renamed Sidi Ferruch, 1915 sunk by U-Boat near Algiers. | 2,537 |
| Sidi Ferruch (2) | 1914 | ex- Anatoly Moltchanoff, 1925 purchased from Russian S.N & Trading Co, Odessa renamed Sidi Ferruch, 1934 scrapped. | 2,746 |
| Sidi Ferruch (3) | 1949 | no further info. | 3,760 |
| Sidi Mabrouk (1) | 1906 | ex- Phrygie, 1933 purchased from Schiaffino, Algiers renamed Sidi Mabrouk, 1943 seized by Germany, transferred to Italy renamed Sassara, 1946 sank at Bastia. | 3,883 |
| Sidi Mabrouk (2) | 1949 | no further info. | 3,988 |
| Sidi Okba (1) | 1929 | 1942 seized by Italy renamed Caserta, 1943 sunk at Naples, salvaged and renamed Luana, 1958 scrapped. | 2,824 |
| Sidi Okba (2) | 1947 | sold to Typaldos, Greece renamed Mediterranean II. | 3,925 |
| Touareg | 1865 | 1874 sold to Roux & de Fraissinet. | 800 |
| Touraine | 1866 | 1901 sold to Italy renamed Vesuvio. | 1,020 |
| Valdivia | 1911 | 1933 scrapped. | 7,168 |
| Vega | 1898 | ex- Gambia, 1915 purchased from Cie. Navigation Mixte renamed Vega, 1916 sunk by U-Boat near Barcelona. | 2,957 |
| Victor Schoelcher | 1938 | 1939 fitted as Armed Merchant Cruiser, 1942 sunk at Diego Suarez as Bougainville. | 4,510 |
| Ville de Buenos Aires | 1865 | ex- Wasp, 1867 purchased renamed Ville de Buenos Aires, 1868 sold. | 536 |
| Ville de Nice | 1852 | 1867 purchased from Cie. Imperiale, 1873 wrecked Sardinia. | 378 |