France II
Built in 1911 on the banks of the river Garrone in Bordeaux, France II had the largest cargo capacity of any sailing ship ever built at that time.
Built in 1911 on the banks of the river Garrone in Bordeaux, France II had the largest cargo capacity of any sailing ship ever built at that time.
Built in 1911 on the banks of the river Garrone in Bordeaux, France II had the largest cargo capacity of any sailing ship ever built at that time.
Dimensions
Hull: 31.5in
Overall Length: 40 in (Bowsprit Included)
Height: 27.75in
Width: 10.5in (Sails Included)
About the France II
France II was built in 1911 at the yards of Chantiers et Ateliers de la Gironde on the banks of the river Garonne in Bordeaux to the plans of chief designer Gustave Leverne (1861–1940). She was intended for the nickel ore trade and owned by the Société Anonyme des Navires Mixtes (Prentout-Leblond, Leroux & Cie.). At that time she had the largest cargo capacity of any sailing ship ever built.
The huge barque was equipped with two Schneider950 horsepower (710 kW) diesel engines, which were removed in 1919. Her crew consisted of 5 officers: captain, 2nd captain (on French ships only (second capitaine); a naval officer of a captain's rank as a vice-captain and security officer, see chief mate), 1st, 2nd, and 3rd mates and 40 able seamenincluding cook, steward, sailmaker, ship's carpenter, which was increased to 45 in 1919.
In 1915 she was sold to Leroux-Henzey of Rouen, and sold again in 1916 to the Compagnie Française de Marine et de Commerce (French Company of Marine and Trade) also of Rouen, her port of registry remained the same.
In 1995 planning started to raise funds to design and build a replica of France II, but by 2010 very little progress had been made.[citation needed]
Tall-ship cruise line Star Clippers launched a new ship based on France II named Flying Clipper on 10 June 2017.
