Messageries Maritimes (Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes)

In 1835 the French Government created a state owned steamship service between Marseilles and the Levant. This continued until 1851 when it was transferred to the management of Messageries Nationales (the state operated road communication concern). The shipping side of the business was split from the road activities in 1852 under the name Compagnie des Services Maritimes des Messageries Nationales. With the return of the French monarchy in 1853 this became Compagnie des Services Maritimes Imperiales and the company expanded dramatically over the next few years and by 1857 owned 57 ships. After the Franco-Prussian War and the abolition of the monarchy in 1871, the company became Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes, usually shortened to MM. In 1904 the fleets of Compagnie Francaise de l'Est Asiatique and Compagnie Nationale de Navigation were taken over. The second world war decimated the fleet which had been split between the Allies and Vichy France and by 1945, only 21 ships were left. However the fleet was rebuilt, but the independence of French colonies and the advent of air travel caused the whole passenger fleet to be disposed of between 1969 and 1972. In 1977 MM and CGT (French Line) were amalgamated under the title Compagnie Generale Maritime and by 1981 the name MM disappeared from Lloyds Register.

Many thanks to Ted Finch for his assistance in collecting this data. The following list was extracted from various sources. This is not an all inclusive list but should only be used as a guide. If you would like to know more about a vessel, visit the Ship Descriptions (onsite) or Immigrant Ship web site. Details of routes / careers of individual ships are available from Ted Finch on request (steamships only), but first check these two ship description sites above, to see if they have already been included online.

Visit Philippe Ramona's Messageries maritimes website for hundreds of pictures of MM ships. The website is in French and can be slow-loading, so be patient, it is well worth a visit.

Routes:

1835-1939 Marseilles - Constantinople - Black Sea - Trabzo Marseilles - (1851 Civitavecchia) - Beirut.

1854-1940 Marseilles - Algiers / Oran / Bone - Tunis.

1860-1912 Bordeaux - Rio de Janeiro + Rio feeder service.

1862-1869 Marseilles - Alexandria - overland - Suez - French Indochina Mauritius feeder service to Aden and Suez.

1865           Saigon - Hong Kong - Shanghai - Yokohama feeder service.

1866-1914 Saigon - Manila feeder service.

1869-1958 Marseilles - Suez Canal - Ceylon - Indochina.

1869-1981 (French ports) - Marseilles - Suez Canal - India / Far East / Australia.

1881-1981 Marseilles - Port Said - Mahe - Reunion - Mauritius - Adelaide - Melbourne - Sydney - Noumea.

1914           Pacific routes also via Panama.

1962-1972 Hamburg - Havre - Bordeaux - South America.

Funnel:

1835 -1960 Black

1960 -         Black with representation of house flag.

Fleet:

1835-1960 1960 -

Vessel Built Years in Service Tons

Ajax 1968 ex- Minerve, 1969 purchased from Otto Candies Inc, New Orleans renamed Ajax, 1982 transferred to Cie.des Moyens de Surface. 625

Alexandre 1843 1861 scrapped. 723

Alphee 1861 1899 engines removed, hull sold. 1,847

Amazone (1) 1869 1889 hit jetty at Reunion and holed. 3,350

Amazone (2) see Laos (1)  

Amboise 1905 ex- Furst Bismarck, ex-Frederichruhe (Hamburg America Line), 1921 awarded to MM as war reparations renamed Amboise, 1935 scrapped. 8,332

Amerique 1857 1858 purchased from Cie de Navigation Mixte, 1878 scrapped. 1,697

Amiral Pierre (1) 1911 ex- Stiegerwald (Hamburg America Line), 1923 awarded to MM as war reparations renamed Amiral Pierre, 1928 renamed La Perouse, 1936 scrapped. 4,485

Amiral Pierre (2) 1905 ex- Yannis, 1940 purchased from G. Andreou,m Greece renamed Amiral Pierre, 1942 scuttled off Madagascar when intercepted by British destroyers. 4,391

Amsterdam 1838 1854 purchased from Cie.Albrecht, 1860 sold to Bazin & Leon Gay. 713

Anadyr (1) 1873 1889 rammed and sunk by Oxus in Aden Roads. 3,714

Anadyr (2) 1930 ex- Redsea, 1938 purchased from Brown, Atkinson & Co, Hull renamed Anadyr, 1944 torpedoed and sunk off Pernambuco by German submarine. 5,278

Anadyr (3) 1947 ex- Pierre deSaurel, 1953 purchased from Fabre Line renamed Anadyr, 1964 sold to Soc. Malgache de Transports Maritimes renamed Malagasy. 4,512

Andalousie 1861 renamed and completed as Donai, 1887 converted to cargo ship, 1889 scrapped after collision with British ship Nerissa. 2,535

Andre Lebon 1914 1940 remained in Vichy hands, 1944 sunk in Allied air raid on Toulon, refloated. 1946 resumed service, 1952 scrapped. 13,681

Andromede 1911 ex- Fremantle (Deutsche-Australische Line), 1922 awarded to MM as war reparations renamed Andromede, 1931 scrapped. 6,036

Angers 1907 ex- Cap Arcona (Hamburg South America Line) 1921 awarded to MM as war reparations renamed Angers, 1939 scrapped. 9,846

Annam (1) 1898 1904 renamed Tourane, 1912 renamed Karnak, 1916 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine near Malta; loss of 17 lives. 6,300

Annam (2) 1889 1904 taken over with Cie.Francaise de l'Est Asiatique, 1917 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine in Mediterranean. 6,163

Antinous 1913 ex- Wachtfels (Hansa Line), 1921 awarded to MM as war reparations renamed Antinous, 1931 scrapped. 7,133

Aquilon 1969 1977 transferred to new Cie Generale Maritime, 1981 sold to Liberia renamed Horncap. 4,413

Aramis (1) 1922 delivery refused by MM and re-engined, 1926 recommissioned as Chenonceaux, 1944 seized by Germans at Marseilles and scuttled, 1948 raised and scrapped. 14,825

Aramis (2) 1932 1940 taken over by Japan renamed Teia Maru, 1944 torpedoed and sunk by US submarine. 17,537

Ardour 1889 1912 lost near Saint Suzanne Light, Reunion. 3,789

Arethuse 1864 1891 scrapped. 1,109

Armand Behic 1891 1924 scrapped. 6,635

Astrolabe 1921 ex- Saint Augustin, 1930 purchased from Cie.Navale et Commerciale de l'Oceanie renamed Astrolabe, 1935 sold to Italy renamed Capo Lena. 5,106

Athos (1) 1915 1917 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine near Malta; loss of 754 lives. 12,692

Athos (2) 1926 1942 taken over by the Allies at Casablanca, 1946 returned to France, mostly trooping, 1959 scrapped. 15,275

Atlantique 1900 1921 renamed Angkor, 1933 scrapped. 6,479

Aunis 1860 1882 scrapped. 1,050

Auray 1944 1949 transferred from French Line, 1961 sold to Israel renamed Israel Pan. 7,176

Australien 1890 1918 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine in Mediterranean. 6,570

Ava 1870 1900 scrapped. 3,361

Aventin 1856 1856 wrecked off Elba on maiden voyage. 625

Aviateur Roland Garros 1902 ex- Lucie Woermann (Woermann Line), 1923 awarded to MM as war reparations renamed Aviateur Roland Garros, 1931 scrapped. 4,729

Azay-le-Rideau 1910 ex- General (Deutsche Ost-Aftika Line), 1923 awarded to MM as war reparations renamed Azay-le-Rideau, 1936 scrapped. 8,063

Bagdad 1891 ex- Athenai, 1895 purchased from Panhellenic S.S.Co, Piraeus renamed Bagdad, Madagascar coastal service, 1935 wrecked on Madagascar coast. 2,492

Balkan 1858 1874 scrapped. 630

Basque 1892 ex- Antisana, 1910 purchased from Pacific Steam Navigation Co. renamed Basque, 1920 scrapped. 3,621

Bearn 1860 1865 wrecked off Pointe Hanos, Brazil. 2,470

Beauvais 1943 1950 transferred from French Line, 1961 transferred to Cie.Nantaises des Chargeurs de l'Ouest renamed Jules Verne. 7,176

Bernadin de Saint-Pierre 1925 1942 taken over by Japan renamed Teibi Maru, 1943 torpedoed and sunk by US submarine. 10,268

Bir Hakeim 1945 ex- Empire Gala, 1946 taken over renamed Bir Hakeim, 1958 sold to Liberia renamed Marionga Maris. 9,171

Borysthene 1853 ex- Brasiliera, 1854 purchased from South American & General S.N.Co, Liverpool renamed Borysthene, 1865 wrecked on Island of Plane en route Marseilles - Oran. 1,100

Bosphore (1) 1846 1866 scrapped. 461

Bosphore (2) 1889 ex- Canton, 1903 purchased from P & O Line renamed Bosphore, 1920 scrapped 3,503

Boussole 1920 ex- Saint Eloi, 1930 purchased from Cie.Navale et Commerciale de l'Oceanie renamed Boussole, 1935 sold to Chile renamed Arauco. 5,123

Bresil 1888 South America service, 1903 renamed Dumbea, Australia service, 1928 scrapped. 5,809

Bresle 1945 1945 transferred from French Line, later returned. 3,807

Brest 1943 1950 transferred from French Line, 1960 sold to Panama renamed Galaxy. 7,181

Breton 1886 ex- Albano, 1910 purchased from Hamburg America Line renamed Breton, 1917 mined and sunk off Tunisia. 3,758

Briancon 1943 ex- John Colter, 1947 purchased from US War Shipping Administration renamed Briancon, 1960 sold to Lebanon renamed Zephyros. 7,278

Bucephale 1925 ex- Saint Andre, 1932 purchased from Cie.Navale et Commerciale de l'Oceanie renamed Bucephale, 1937 wrecked New Hebrides. 902

Cachar 1883 1904 taken over with Cie.Nationale de Navigation, 1914 scrapped. 3,645

Caire 1843 1866 scrapped. 806

Caledonien (1) 1882 1914 taken over as troopship, 1917 mined and sunk off Port Said; loss of 51 lives. 4,170

Caledonien (2) 1952 1972 sold to Cyprus renamed Nisos Kypros. 12,712

Cambodge (1) see Cerdagne.  

Cambodge (2) 1953 1969 sold to Sun Line, Piraeus (Holland America Line subsidiary) renamed Stella V, later Stella Solaris. 13,217

Caobang 1902 1904 taken over with Cie.Nationale de Navigation, 1906 ashore in fog at Poulo Condore, total loss. 6,762

Capitaine Faure 1917 1933 laid up, 1936 scrapped. 8,055

Capitole 1854 1873 sold at Singapore. 498

Carmel 1854 1858 on River Plate - Rio feeder service, 1876 scrapped. 932

Caucase 1898 ex- Mandalay, 1910 purchased from P. Henderson, Glasgow renamed Caucase, 1923 scrapped. 4,126

Centaure 1960 tanker, 1962 sold to Cie.de Transports Maritimes, Dunkirk renamed Champs Elysees 32,740

Cephee 1912 ex- Buenos Aires (Hamburg South America Line), 1922 awarded to MM as war reparations renamed Cephee, 1935 scrapped. 9,680

Cephise 1857 1863 wrecked Planier Reef en route Marseilles - Oran. 800

Cerdagne 1861 renamed and completed as Cambodge, 1887 converted to cargo only, 1902 scrapped. 2,205

Chambord 1903 ex- Cap Ortegal (Hamburg South America Line), 1923 awarded to MM as war reparations renamed Chambord, 1932 scrapped. 7,563

Champollion 1925 1942 taken over by the Allies managed by P & O Line, 1946 returned to MM, 1952 ashore at Beirut, total loss. 12,263

Changchow 1951 1951 chartered from China Navigation Co., 1952 returned to owners. 9,403

Chantilly 1922 ex- Kerguelen (Chargeurs Reunis), 1923 purchased by French Gov't and transferred to MM renamed Chantilly, 1941 captured by Allies, 1945 returned to MM, 1949 laid up, 1951 scrapped. 9,896

Charente 1889 1911 scrapped. 3,775

Charles Tellier 1951 1962 transferred from Cie.des Nav. Sud-Atlantique, Bordeaux, 1967 sold to Hong Kong owners (Panama flag) renamed Le Havre Abeto. 12,007

Chef Mecanicien Mailhol 1917 ex- War Admiral*, 1920 purchased from the Shipping Controller, renamed Chef Mecanicien Mailhol, 1936 sold to J. Papadeus renamed Maleas 5,709

Cheliff 1855 1875 sold to Turkey. 715

Chili 1895 1927 scrapped. 6,375

Chungking 1950 1950 chartered from China Navigation Co., 1952 returned to owners. 9,393

Claude Chappe 1909 ex- Patris, 1925 purchased from National Steam Navigation Co of Greece renamed Claude Chappe, 1939 scrapped. 4,400

Clyde 1854 ex- Clutha, 1855 purchased from builder renamed Clyde, 1880 scrapped. 763

Colombo 1882 1904 taken over with Cie.Nationale de Navigation, 1910 disabled by typhoon and towed to Tourane, condemned and scrapped. 3,731

Commandant Dorise 1917 1941 under Vichy control but captured by Allies, 1944 returned to MM, 1951 sold to Greece renamed Maro. 5,528

Commandante Mages 1917 ex- War Wolf*, 1919 purchased from the Shipping Controller, renamed Commandante Mages, 1938 transferred to Cie.France Navigation renamed Saint Malo. 5,709

Commissaire Pierre Lecoq 1917 ex- War Prince*, 1919 purchased from the Shipping Controller, renamed Commissaire Pierre Lecoq, 1937 sold to Kulukundis, Greece renamed Mount Pelion. 5,704

Commissaire Ramel 1920 1926 converted to passenger ship, 1940 sunk in Indian Ocean by German surface raider Atlantis. 10,061

Compiegne 1923 ex- Jamaique (Chargeurs Reunis), 1923 purchased by French Gov't and transferred to MM renamed Compiegne, 1941 captured by the Allies, 1945 returned to MM, 1954 scrapped. 9,896

Congo 1878 1913 scrapped. 3,897

Copernic 1862 ex- Copernicus, 1864 purchased from Lamport & Holt Line renamed Copernic, 1890 scrapped. 1,548

Cordillere 1896 1925 scrapped. 6,379

Cordouan 1884 1911 scrapped. 4,170

Courseulles 1944 1948 transferred from French Line, 1959 transferred to Cie. Delmas et Vieljeux. 7,212

Crimee 1889 ex- Shanghai, 1903 purchased from P & O Line renamed Crimee, 1923 scrapped. 3,501

Cydnus 1856 1875 scrapped. 1,196

Danube (1) 1855 1878 scrapped. 1,143

Danube (2) 1889 ex- Bombay, 1903 purchased from P & O Line renamed Danube, 1923 scrapped. 3,508

D'Artagnan 1924 1940 Vichy control, 1942 requisitioned by Japanese renamed Teiko Maru, 1944 torpedoed and sunk by US submarine. 15,205

Delta 1862 1864 purchased from W. S. Bailey, Hull, 1891 sprang leak and sank off Annam. 1,273

Djemnah 1875 1918 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine off Crete while trooping; loss of 442 lives. 3,785

Docteur Pierre Benoit 1918 1937 sold to Kukukundis, Greece renamed Mount Kassion. 8,231

Donai (1) see Andalousie.  

Donai (2) 1953 ex- Hoegh Clipper, 1954 purchased from Leif Hoegh & Co, Oslo, renamed Donai, 1967 sold to Liberia renamed Plate Master. 9,477

Dordogne 1888 1911 scrapped. 3,723

Douro 1889 1910 grounded Madagascar, total loss. 2,697

Dumont D'Urville (1) 1899 ex- Wilcannia (P & O), ex-Shinkoku Maru, 1917 purchased from Japan by French Gov't renamed Dumont D'Urville, 1919 taken over by MM, 1922 renamed Andre Chenier, 1925 scrapped. 5,145

Dumont d'Urville (2) 1918 ex- Gia Long, 1930 purchased from Cie.Navale et Commerciale de l'Oceanie renamed Dumont d'Urville, 1936 sold to Moller Line, Shanghai renamed Joan Moller. 2,019

Dupleix (1) 1862 1888 sold to J,C.Ellis, Sydney renamed Jubilee. 1,620

Dupleix (2) 1897 1928 scrapped. 2,394

Ebre 1868 1893 scrapped. 1,758

Egyptus 1843 1858 stranded near Trabzon, total loss. 870

Equateur 1875 1914-1918 trapped in Black Sea by Turkey, became Russian Hospital Ship, 1922 scrapped. 3,914

Eridan (1) 1866 1905 scrapped. 1,685

Eridan (2) 1929 1942 captured by US troops off Oran, 1951 resumed commercial service, 1956 scrapped. 9,927

Ermine 1864 1884 sold to Cie.Tandjong Pagar for use as pontoon. 1,154

Ernest Simons 1893 1917 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine in Mediterranean. 4,562

Erymanthe 1862 1895 sold to Cie.de Nav.Mixte. 1,986

Espana 1881 1898 purchased from M. Reyes, Manila, Indo-China feeder service, (MM records this ship as SAIGON (2) but she never appears to have been officially renamed), 1899 wrecked. 929

Esperance 1923 ex- Saint Luc, 1930 purchased from Cie.Navale et Commerciale de l'Oceanie renamed Esperance, 1940 captured by the Allies, 1945 returned to MM, 1956 sold to Panama renamed Bella. 5,072

Estamadura 1860 1872 converted from paddle steamer to 2700 ton screw steamer renamed Mendoza, 1891 scrapped. 2,132

Etienne de Flacourt 1914 ex- Yalta, 1926 purchased from NGL renamed Etienne de Flacourt, 1928 renamed Gouverneur General Piquet, 1931 transferred to Soc. Maritime Indochinoise, Diego-Suarez, 1934 returned to MM renamed Sargasse, 1938 sold to Cottaropoulos & Canallas, Marseilles renamed La Marsa. Sargasse. 1,495

Euphrate (1) 1854 ex- Menura, built for Australian Pacific Mail S.P.Co, 1854 purchased renamed Euphrate, 1887 scrapped. 1,643

Euphrate (2) 1905 1915 ashore Socotra Island, total loss. 6,876

Euphrate (3) 1955 1973 sold to Panama renamed Elsey Fir. 7,030

Eurotas 1836 1854 grounded at Alexandria, total loss. 620

Explorateur Grandidier 1925 1944 scuttled by retreating Germans at Marseilles. 10,268

Falaise 1944 1948 transferred from French Line, chartered to Fabre Line, 1964 scrapped. 7,257

Felix Roussel 1930 1940 Free French control, 1946 reverted to MM, 1955 sold to Arosa Line renamed Arosa Sun. 16,774

Ferdinand de Lesseps 1952 1968 sold to Greece renamed Delphi. 12,731

Fontainbleu 1924 ex- Islande (Chargeurs Reunis), 1923 purchased by French Gov't and transferred to MM renamed Fontainbleu, 1926 destroyed by fire at Djibouti. 9,896

Gallieni 1954 1973 sold to Panama renamed Eastern Rise. 4,720

Gange (1) 1854 ex- Black Swan, built for Australian Pacific Mail S.P.Co, 1854 purchased renamed Gange, 1887 scrapped. 1,483

Gange (2) 1905 1917 mined and sunk off Bizerta. 6,876

Gange (3) 1953 1973 scrapped. 6,930

Gascogne 1924 1952 transferred from French Line, 1955 scrapped. 5,187

Gaudiana 1888 1922 scrapped. 2,614

General Duchesne (1) 1902 ex- Schleswig (North German Lloyd), 1920 awarded to MM as war reparations renamed General Duchesne, 1932 scrapped. 7,290

General Duchesne (2) 1913 ex- Maroussio Logothetis, 1940 purchased from Goulandris Bros, Greece renamed General Duchesne, 1942 captured by British and reverted to Maroussio Logothetis. 1943 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine off Freetown. 4,669

General Metzinger 1906 ex- Cap Vilano (Hamburg South America Line) 1924 awarded to MM as war reparations renamed General Metzinger, 1940 bombed and sunk in Le Havre Roads. 9,346

General Voyron 1905 ex- Prinzessin (Deutsche Ost-Afrika Line), 1920 awarded to Britain as war reparations, 1922 acquired by MM renamed General Voyron, 1934 scrapped. 6,267

Georges Philippar 1930 1932 caught fire and sank near Cape Guardafui; loss of 54 lives. 17,539

Gironde 1869 1906 scrapped. 3,261

Godavery (1) 1863 1898 scrapped. 1,423

Godavery (2) 1955 1976 sold to Liberia renamed Liliane. 6,936

Gouverneur General Piquet see Etienne de Flacourt.  

Grenoble 1942 ex- Henry George, 1947 purchased from US War Shipping Administration renamed Grenoble, 1961 sold to Panama renamed St. James. 7,176

Guadalquivir 1888 1903 set on fire by saboteur's bomb after leaving Salonika, returned to port, towed to Marseilles and scrapped. 2,598

Guienne 1860 1872 converted from paddle steamer to 2700 ton screw steamer renamed Gambie, 1873 wrecked Bahia. (picture) 1,945

Haiphong 1885 stationed at Saigon, 1923 sold renamed Kum Wah. 1,546

Hellespont 1846 1859 grounded near Naples, total loss. 460

Henry IV 1854 1856 purchased from Baxin & Leon Gay, 1861 holed by rock off Trabzon and sank. 683

Hermus 1857 1861 grounded at Valence, 1880 sold to breakers. 778

Himalaya 1903 1917 sank near Bizerta after explosion in ammunition storage area; loss of 36 lives. 6,002

Hooghly 1868 1878 aground and lost near Montevideo. 2,788

Hydaspe 1853 ex- Lusitania, 1854 purchased from South American & General S.N.Co, Liverpool renamed Hydaspe, 1864 wrecked Singapore. 967

Ilissus 1865 1888 sold at Saigon. 1,173

Imerina (1) 1899 ex- Sparta, 1914 purchased from Hamburg America Line renamed Imerina, 1932 lost on Madagascar coast. 2,830

Imerina (2) 1953 1970 sold to Cyprus renamed Nana P. 4,718

Indus (1) 1854 ex- Dinornis, built for Australian Pacific Mail S.P.Co, 1854 purchased renamed Indus. 1884 scrapped. 1,643

Indus (2) 1897 Far East service, 1904 renamed Magellan, South America service, 1916 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine near Pantellaria. 6,357

Indus (3) 1951 1973 sold to Panama renamed Encilla. 6,919

Irouaddy (1) 1873 1906 converted to immigrant ship for South America service renamed Esmeralda, 1908 scrapped. 3,533

Irouaddy (2) 1953 1973 scrapped. 6,929

Ispahan 1900 ex- Arracan, 1910 purchased from P. Henderson, Glasgow renamed Ispahan, 1923 scrapped. 4,170

Jean Laborde (1) 1931 1944 scuttled at Marseilles by retreating Germans, 1946 raised and scrapped. 11,414

Jean Laborde (2) 1953 1970 sold to Greece renamed Mykinai. 10,944

Jourdain 1855 1863 grounded at Beirut, broke in two. 814

Kangourou 1970 1977 transferred to new Cie Generale Maritime, 1987 scrapped. 26,437

Kantara 1904 1926 scrapped. 6,879

Korrigan 1973 1977 transferred to new Cie Generale Maritime, 1992 renamed C.G.M. Korrigan, 1995 renamed Nedlloyd Korrigan, 1999 transferred to Greece. 57,249

Kouang Si (1) 1903 1904 taken over with Cie.Francaise de l'Est Asiatique, 1922 scrapped. 6,472

Kouang Si (2) 1900 ex- Pytheas, 1929 purchased from M. Valoussiere, Marseilles renamed Kouang Si, 1936 scrapped. 5,692

Kouang Si (3) 1957 1977 scrapped. 6,991

La Bourdonnais (1) 1862 1896 scrapped. 1,582

La Bourdonnais (2) 1951 1968 sold to Greece renamed Knossus. 10,944

La Natal 1956 1976 sold to Liberia renamed Trapi. 7,051

La Plata 1888 South America service, 1903 renamed Nera, Australia service, 1923 scrapped. 5,824

La Seyne 1873 ex- Etoile du Chili, 1876 purchased from Soc.Germain Freres renamed La Seyne, 1909 sank in collision with British India S.N.Co ship Onda near Singapore. 2,379

Laennec 1952 1962 transferred from Cie.des Nav. Sud-Atlantique, Bordeaux, 1966 sold to Hong Kong owners (Panama flag) renamed Belle Abeto. 12,007

Lamartine 1914 ex- Republikatec (Russian), 1921 purchased by MM renamed Lamartine, 1939 renamed Khaidinh, 1942 sunk in Along Bay by US air attack. 5,153

Laos (1) 1896 Far East service, 1904 renamed Amazone, South America service, 1932 scrapped. 6,357

Laos (2) 1903 1904 taken over with Cie.Francaise de l'Est Asiatique, 1907 grounded at mouth of River Loire, broke in two. 6,367

Laos (3) 1952 1970 sold to Panama renamed Empress Abeto. 12,080

Le Myre de Villers 1918 ex- Pera, 1926 purchased from North German Lloyd renamed Le Myre de Villers, 1928 transferred to Cie.Maritime Indo-Chinois renamed Governeur General Paul Doumer. 1,467

Le Verdon 1943 1952 transferred from Cie.de Transports-Oceaniques, 1962 scrapped. 7,254

Leconte de Lisle 1922 1942 seized by Japan at Saigon renamed Teiritu Maru, 1944 sunk by Japanese mine, 1948 raised and repaired, 1950 returned to France, 1956 scrapped. 9,877

Leonidas 1836 1858 scrapped. 623

Les Glieres 1944 ex- Royal S. Copeland, 1946 purchased from US War Shipping Administration renamed Les Glieres, 1959 sold to Lebanon renamed Nitric. 7,296

Liban 1854 1854 grounded near Malaga on delivery voyage, total loss. 978

Licorne Atlantique 1973 1977 transferred to new Cie Generale Maritime, 1988 sold to Panama renamed Mushashi Spirit. 131,619

Licorne Pacifique 1974 1977 transferred to new Cie Generale Maritime, 1990 sold to Swiss owners. 132,809

Lieutenant de la Tour 1917 ex- War Queen*, 1920 purchased from the Shipping Controller, renamed Lieutenant de la Tour, 1951 sold to Greece renamed Cleophie Ioanna. 5,700

Lieutenant de Missiessy 1917 1932 scrapped. 5,747

Lieutenant Saint-Loubert-Bie 1911 ex- Mannheim (Deutsche-Australische Line), 1922 awarded to MM as war reparations renamed Lieutenant Saint-Loubert-Bie, 1940 Vichy control, 1941 captured by Allies, 1945 returned to MM, 1950 mined in Saigon River, condemned and srapped. 6,147

Louis Lumiere 1951 1962 transferred from Chargeurs Reunis, 1967 sold to Hong Kong owners (Panama flag) renamed Mei Abeto. 12,358

Louqsor (1) 1843 1864 scrapped. 812

Louqsor (2) 1904 1930 scrapped. 6,889

Lycurgue 1836 1857 scrapped. 688

Malais 1959 1977 transferred to new Cie Generale Maritime, 1978 sold to Panama renamed Brunella. 7,475

Manche 1887 1923 scrapped. 2,935

Maori 1959 1971 capsized and sank in Atlantic after cargo shifted. (1 survivor) 7,474

Marania 1949 ex- Tafna, 1964 purchased from Cie.de Navigation Mixte renamed Marania, 1967 sold to Gothong & Co, Cebu renamed Dona Rita. 2,063

Marechal Gallieni (1) 1901 ex- Cassel (North German Lloyd), 1921 awarded to MM as war reparations renamed Marechal Gallieni, 1926 scrapped. 7,543

Marechal Gallieni (2) 1912 ex- Moewe, 1927 purchased from Argo Line, Bremen, renamed Marechal Gallieni, 1954 scrapped. 1,559

Marechal Joffre 1933 1941 handed to the USA, renamed Rochambeau, 1945 returned to MM reverted to Marechal Joffre, 1960 scrapped. 11,732

Marechal Petain 1944 launched but scuttled in German retreat, 1947 raised and renamed La Marseillaise, 1949 entered service, 1957 sold to Arosa Line renamed Arosa Sky. 17,408

Mariette Pacha 1926 1944 crew exploded two bombs which split the ship in two, 1946 raised and scrapped. 12,263

Marion Dufresne 1973 1977 transferred to new Cie Generale Maritime, 1995 renamed Marion, 1995 sold to Malta renamed Fres. 6,640

Mariotte 1968 1969 purchased from Gaz Ocean S.A., 1976 sold to Italy renamed Capo Ovest. 10,779

Marquisien 1959 1977 transferred to new Cie Generale Maritime, 1978 sold to Panama renamed Patricia S. 7,475

Martiniquais 1960 1977 transferred to new Cie Generale Maritime, 1978 sold to Cia.Naviera Gir of S.A, renamed Rafaela. 7,475

Matapan 1884 1910 scrapped. 3,613

Mauricien 1960 1977 transferred to new Cie Generale Maritime, 1978 scrapped. 7,475

Meandre 1855 1883 scrapped. 967

Mecanicien Donzel 1917 1918 torpedoed and sunk off Corsica. 8,225

Medoc 1884 1914 destroyed by fire in Royal Albert Dock, London. 3,613

Meikong 1870 1877 ashore Cape Guardafui, Red Sea, total loss. 3,370

Meinam (1) 1863 1893 sold at Saigon, converted to sailing ship. 1,580

Meinam (2) 1907 1934 scrapped. 5,443

Meinam (3) 1949 1967 sold to Panama renamed Grand Abeto. 8,536

Mekong 1949 1965 sold to Indonesia renamed Djatimulia. 8,267

Melanesien 1926 ex- Bianca C, ex-Indrapoera (Rotterdam Lloyd), 1958 chartered from Cia.Genovese d'Armemente, Genoa, 1963 scrapped. 10,825

Melbourne 1881 1921 scrapped.