GOUVERNEUR GENERAL CHANZY (cinderella stamp)

[aukepalmhof]

Launched on 9 May 1921 by Cammell, Laird & Co – Birkenhead as GOUVERNEUR GENERAL CHANZY
GRT: 4384; NRT: 1927, 1326 DWT.
Dimensions: 109.97m x 16.18m x 8.2m
Twin screw, 2 x 2 drg Parsons stm turbines, 6600hp; twin screws
Speed: 18 knots.

She was the first of four sisters built for the French Government but operated throughout their careers by Compagnie Generale Transatlantique (CGT) on the trans – Mediterranean services.

On 13 December 1922, she was in collision with the Greek cargo liner ANNA MARIA DIAKAKIS at the entrance to Marseilles port. Both ships were able to reach the port. The Greek cargo liner was lost on 25 December 1922 following a fire.

In July 1942 she was seized by the Germans at Marseille and given to the Italians. She was renamed NICOSTRA under Italian management.

In June 1943 she became a German hospital ship and was renamed GIESSEN.

In August 1944 she was scuttled in the flooded dry dock at La Ciotat as the allies invaded southern France. She was raised and repaired. The accommodation was renovated and by October she was back in service, renamed again in GOUVERNEUR GENERAL CHANZY.

In 1956 she served on the Bordeaux – Casablanca service and in 1957 returned to the Marseille routes.

In April 1963 she was sold and broken up at La Spezia.

Of the four sister-ships GOUVERNEUR GENERAL CHANZY was the only one to survive the war.


Sources: Merchant Fleets 30 – French Line by Duncan Haws. Various internet sites.

Peter Crichton