SS France IV (1896)

History
Name:	France IV
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:	1896
Maiden voyage:	1896
In service:	1896
Out of service:	7 November 1915
Fate:	Shelled and sunk
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

SS France IV 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 / 38.133°N 9.900°E / 38.133; 9.900Coordinates: 38°08′N 9°54′E / 38.133°N 9.900°E / 38.133; 9.900), while she was travelling from Mudros, Greece to Marseille, France.

Construction

France IV was constructed in 1896 at the Forges & Chantiers shipyard in La Seyne, France. She was completed in 1896 and she was named France IV and served from 1896 until her demise in 1915. 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 IV 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 IV 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]

Wreck

The wreck lies at (38°08′N 9°54′E / 38.133°N 9.900°E / 38.133; 9.900), but the wrecks current condition is unknown.

References