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The Lotus (6,822 grt, 466 ft. long) was built in 1898 as the Tonkin for the Far East route.
The postcard shows her after reconstruction in 1912 when she was renamed Lotus. She lasted in Messageries Maritimes service until 1932.
(Messageries Maritimes official PC)
A former Russian vessel, the Pierre Loti (5,144 grt, 394 ft. long) of 1913 was seized by the French
during WW1 and was eventually handed
over to Messageries Maritimes in 1922.
On the Mediterranean circular route until the mid-1930s, she was later stationed in Australia.
She saw WW2 service under British management but was grounded off Gabon in 1943 becoming a total loss.
The Sphinx (11,375 grt, 503 ft. long) was launched in 1914 and completed in 1915 as a hospital ship in the French Navy.
She finally started her career with Messageries Maritimes in 1918, first on Mediterranean routes, then to the Far East.
Again a hospital ship in 1939, she was captured by Italy and sunk in 1944 through an American air raid on Genoa.
You may use my images on another website.
This page last updated December 11, 2005.
Then please credit them as being from the collection of Björn Larsson,
and preferably provide a link to my Introduction page.
Thank you!
