France II
1911
(GEM 907001)
- Type: Five-masted barque
- Material: Decks wood, rest steel
- Dimensions: 419 x 56 x 25 ft.
- Displacement: 5,633 gross; 4,544 net tons
- Sail area: 6350 sq.m.
- Machinery: 2 diesel engines rated at 934 h.p., twin screw
- Built: Chantiers et Ateliers de la Gironde, Bordeaux
- Launched: 9 Nov 1911
- Lost: 12 Jul 1922
- Service: Largest sailing vessel ever constructed. Built for Societe Anonyme des Navires Mixtes (Prentout-Leblond, Leroux & Co.), Rouen, primarily for the nickel ore trade between France and New Caledonia. Sold to Leroux & Henzey, Rouen, in 1915, and then later to the Compagnie Francaise de Marine et de Commerce in 1916. Attacked by a submarine 28 Feb 1917 WNW of Cape Finisterre, but escaped in the night. In 1919 the diesel engines were removed. In 1921 she sailed from New Zealand to London in 90 days. Drifted aground 12 Jul 1922 on the Ouano Reef near Noumea, while carrying a cargo of 8,000 tons of nickel ore; abandoned and hull sold. Wreck used for target practice by American bombers during World War 2.
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