SS France (1896)

SS France was a French ocean liner that was shelled by SM U-38 in the Mediterranean Sea 85 nautical miles (157 km) south west of Cape Teulada, Sardinia, Italy (38°08′N 9°54′E), while she was travelling from Mudros, Greece to Marseille, France.

For other ships with the same name, see SS France.

History
Name:	France
Owner:	Société Générale De Transports Maritimes À Vapeur S. A. - SGTM
Port of registry:	Marseille, France
Builder:	Forges & Chantiers De La Mediterranee
Yard number:	942
Completed:	February 1897
Fate:	Sunk 7 November 1915
General characteristics
Type:	Ocean Liner
Tonnage:	4,269 GRT
Length:	121.1 metres (397 ft 4 in)
Beam:	12.8 metres (42 ft 0 in)
Depth:	9.3 metres (30 ft 6 in)
Installed power:	Triple expansion steam engine
Propulsion:	Screw propeller
Speed:	14 knots
Capacity:	1190 Passengers
Crew:	115

Construction

France was constructed in 1896 at the Forges & Chantiers shipyard in La Seyne, France. She was completed in 1897. The ship was 121.1 metres (397 ft 4 in) long, with a beam of 12.8 metres (42 ft 0 in) and a depth of 9.3 metres (30 ft 6 in). The ship was assessed at 4,269 GRT. She had a Triple expansion steam engine driving a single screw propeller and the engine was rated at 474 nhp.

Accident Of 1906

On 1 March 1906 France ran aground with 800 passengers on board at Ilha Bela, near Santos, Brazil, following a navigational error and fog. The passengers were picked up by the SS Poitou. She was refloated on 4 March 1906 and returned to service later that year.

Sinking

On 7 November 1915, France was on a voyage from Mudros, Greece to Marseille, France when she was shelled by the German submarine SM U-38 in the Mediterranean Sea near the coast of Sardinia. After numerous explosions and fires, the crew and passengers abandoned the ship and she sank a few hours later. There were no casualties.[1]

References

1. "SS France (+1915)". Wrecksite. 7 November 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2015.