Ship Type Menu.
Transports, Large (screw)

LOIRE class (1200 tons, 160 HP, wood)
SEINE (1200 tons, 160 HP, iron)
JURA class (1200 tons, 250 HP, wood)
ALLIER class (1200 tons, 250 HP, wood)
SARTHE class (1200 tons, 500 HP, wood)
EUROPEEN (2350 tons, 500 HP, acquired)
WESER (2500 tons, 600 HP, acquired)
JAPON (2300 tons, 400 HP, acquired)


LOIRE class transports (1,200 tons, 160 HP, wood)

Displacement: 2791t
Dimensions:234ft 4in wl x 42ft 4in ext x 17ft 5in mean, 18ft 10in max. Depth 16ft 0in
Same, meters:71.42 x 12.91 x 5.303, 5.728m. 4.87m
Machinery:160nhp (Mazeline in the Lorient and Bordeaux ships, Indret in the Brest ships, Nillus in the Rochefort ships and Yonne, and Cherbourg in Meurthe. 920ihp (designed). Trials: 915.5ihp = 10.17kts (Rhin, 1871), 695ihp = 9.22kts (Marne, 1869), 501ihp = 7.38kts (Yonne, 1866).
Hull material:Wood
Armament:4-30p shell. Later 4-12cm or 4-14cm. In 1879 Rhin had 8-12cm.
Complement:189

Name          Builder    Laid downLaunched Commiss. Fate         
LOIRELorient1.8.5415.6.5516.8.55Stk. 12.8.72
DURANCELorient8.8.5416.7.5517.9.55Stk. 12.8.72
GIRONDEBordeaux8.5430.5.551855Lost 9.2.67
DORDOGNEBordeaux8.5414.6.5525.6.55Stk. 24.2.92
RHINRochefort2.11.5427.8.5525.9.55Stk. 5.6.86
ISERERochefort6.11.5427.8.5511.10.55Lost 17.8.60
SAONEBrest21.10.5417.4.551.5.55Stk. 24.5.72
MARNEBrest21.10.5416.4.551.5.55Stk. 15.9.78
MEUSELorient26.10.5424.11.551.2.56Stk. 29.6.81
NIEVRELorient26.10.5426.10.558.12.55Stk. 29.11.71
MEURTHECherbourg25.10.543.5.5521.5.55Stk. 14.5.66
YONNECherbourg28.4.5512.11.554.3.56Stk. 8.11.84

Class. On 6.4.54 the Minister of Marine asked the ports for plans for "batiments de charge" (cargo ships) capable of filling the role taken by the sailing corvettes de charge before the advent of the steam navy. On 11.7.54 the Council of Works proposed approving the plans by Leboulleur de Courlon and ordering construction to them of a "transport mixte" (mixed propulsion transport) at Lorient. The plans were approved on 17.7.54. By 4.8.54 the Minister of Marine had ordered the construction of four transports mixtes (also called "corvettes transports"), two at Lorient (Loire and Durance) on the plans of Leboulleur (type Loire) and two at Bordeaux (Gironde and Dordogne) by Arman, using his proprietary system of construction. Arman's contract was dated 24.7.54. By 23.10.54 the Minister had ordered construction of 11 ships of this type. On 10.11.54 the Minister was asked to approve construction of a 12th ship (Yonne) at Cherbourg on the ways being vacated by the ship of the line Arcole, and it was noted that it might be possible to add a 13th at Toulon during 1855. Two engines were ordered from Nillus for these additional ships. As in many mixed-propulsion ships with small steam engines, the boiler and smokestack were located aft of the mainmast. Meuse was cut down by a deck in 1863, and plans for a similar modification to Nièvre were approved on 23.2.65. Plans for the conversion of Dordogne to a sailing transport were completed by Lhomme on 12.9.83.

Disposals. Loire became a hulk at Cherbourg in 1872, was renamed Dromadaire on 5.2.73 and was scrapped in 1877. Dordogne ended her career as a sailing transport with engines removed and was disposed of in 1893 at Diègo Suarez. Plans for the conversion of Rhin to a coal hulk and headquarters for torpedo boats at Lezardrieux, near Brest, were signed on 3.8.87, and she served as such until 1909. Isère was wrecked at Amoy on 17.5.60. Saone was approved for scrapping at Cherbourg in 1875. Marne was a barracks hulk at Brest until 1892. Meuse was a hulk at Lorient until 1904. Nièvre was stricken after running aground and was disposed of at Cherbourg in 1874. Meurthe was used as a repair hulk at Saigon from 1867 to 1872. Yonne was a barracks hulk for the Défense Mobile at Lorient until 1914.


SEINE transport (1,200 tons, 160 HP, iron)

Displacement: ca. 2700t
Dimensions:237ft 8in wl x 38ft 2in wl
Same, meters:72.44 x 11.62m
Machinery:160nhp (Nillus)
Hull material:Iron
Armament:4-30p shell. Later 4-12cm or 4-14cm.
Complement:?

Name          Builder    Laid downLaunched Commiss. Fate         
SEINENantes6.5510.12.5612.3.57Stk. 24.2.83

Class. On 12.7.54 the Minister of Marine asked for studies of plans for a 1200 ton transport similar to the wooden-hulled ones then being ordered but with an iron hull. Because of the number of wooden-hulled ships subsqently ordered and difficulties encountered in building iron ships, the Council of Works recommended building only one iron hulled ship of this type, which would use an engine that had been ordered from Nillus for a 13th ship of the Loire class. The Council went along with the selection of plans by Guesnet for this ship, which were less risky and less expensive than the experimental plans by Pastoreau that the Council had preferred. The ship was built by Guibert at Nantes under a contract dated 8.2.55. She was first commissioned on 1.1.57 but was then decommissioned on 22.1.57 and recommissioned on 12.3.57. The first period in commission was probably to ferry the ship from the contractor's yard at Nantes to the navy yard at Lorient for completion of fitting out.

Disposals. Seine sank in 1882, was refloated, and was used as a hulk in 1883-84.


JURA class transports (1,200 tons, 250 HP, wood)

Displacement: 3208t
Dimensions:264ft 2in wl x 42ft 5in ext x 18ft 2in mean, 18ft 11in max. Depth 17ft 2in.
Same, meters:80.53 x 12.92 x 5.530, 5.760m. 5.23m
Machinery:250nhp (Schneider, Creusot). 800ihp (designed). Trials: 714ihp = 9.62kts (Rhone, 1867, no cargo), 612ihp = 8.83kts (Jura, 1871, fully loaded)
Hull material:Wood
Armament:4-30p shell. Later 4-12cm, 2-14cm, or 4-14cm
Complement:265

Name          Builder    Laid downLaunched Commiss. Fate         
JURALorient21.4.567.5819.7.58Stk. 18.7.83
CALVADOSLorient26.4.5614.8.5823.8.58Stk. 5.6.86
GARONNEBrest2.5.5622.10.5825.4.59Stk. 2.4.91
RHONEBrest2.5.5618.4.591.10.59Stk. 29.10.74
AUBERochefort15.4.5631.8.5912.59Stk. 22.7.72
FINISTERERochefort30.5.568.5929.10.59Stk. 18.10.86

Class. The hulls of the two Lorient ships were ordered on 24.10.55, and the rest were probably ordered at the same time. They were of the "transport-écurie" (horse or cavalry transport) type and were designed to carry 300 horses in addition to personnel. On 7.1.56 the Council of Works recommended ordering eight steam engines from Mazeline, two for line of battle ships and six for transports-écuries: two each at Rochefort, Lorient, and Brest. This recommendation was approved on 16.1.56. On 15.2.56 the Council approved plans by Guesnet (type Aube) for these six transports-écuries mixtes of 200 hp and 1,200 tons. The plan to order the engines from Mazeline fell through and 250 hp engines for all of them were ordered from Creusot on 23.5.56. These ships had larger steam engines than the Loire class and the smokestack and boiler were moved to the usual position forward of the mainmast.

Disposals. Jura was a barracks hulk for the naval infantry at Toulon until scrapped in 1888. Rhone became a hulk at Cherbourg in 1874 and was sold there in 1899. Aube was sold in 1876 for scrapping. Finistère became a barracks hulk at Lorient in 1887, a coal and mooring hulk in 1898, and was sold on 19.3.21.


ALLIER class transports (1,200 tons, 300 HP, wood)

Displacement: 3364t
Dimensions:266ft 8in wl x 43ft 2in ext x 19ft 2in mean, 20ft 6in max. Depth 18ft 5in
Same, meters:81.27 x 13.16 x 5.840, 6.240m. 5.615m
Machinery:300nhp (Schneider, Creusot). 920ihp (designed). Trials: 982ihp = 10.41kts (Var, 1872), 692ihp = 9.09kts (Ardèche, 1871)
Hull material:Wood
Armament:4-30 shell. Later 2-14cm or 4-14cm
Complement:220

Name          Builder    Laid downLaunched Commiss. Fate         
ALLIERNantes (Guibert)18594.12.613.7.62Stk. 26.11.68
ARDECHEBordeaux (Arman)30.1.604.12.611.4.62Stk. 11.11.75
DROMEBordeaux (Arman)185925.10.6211.2.63Stk. 22.7.72
VARBordeaux (Arman)185912.12.6325.3.64Stk. 31.12.79
EUREBordeaux (Moulinié)16.12.5916.4.6222.5.62Stk. 22.7.72
ORNEBordeaux (Bichon)12.5912.7.621.1.63Stk. 5.6.91

Class. On 28.10.59 the Minister of Marine ordered two transports-écuries similar to Jura and Calvados from Cherbourg and two from Rochefort. On the same date the Director of Naval Construction wrote that the Minister had ordered him to prepare to lay down ten new ships of this type, including the four at the two dockyards and six to be ordered from private firms. He proposed to order three hulls from Arman, one from Bichon, and one from Moulinié, all at Bordeaux, plus one from Guibert at Nantes. The Bordeaux contracts were all concluded on 18.11.59 and the Nantes contract on 25.11.59. On 8.12.59 the engines for all six transports at Bordeaux and Nantes were allocated to Schneider at Creusot (the contract was dated 3.2.60). The Director of Ports asked Guesnet to modify his plans for the Jura type based on experience with them, and on 25.11.59 the Minister approved Guesnet's new plans (type Ardeche, based on Rhone), which were a little longer and wider. The names for the ships were recommended on 26.12.59. The four dockyard ships were increased to 500 HP, making them a separate class (see below).

Disposals. Allier was renamed Dragon on 1.1.66 and her engines were transferred to Rhin (Loire class, above) in 1869. Ardèche was used as an gunnery supply hulk at Toulon until scrapped in 1887. Drôme was scrapped around 1875 and Eure around 1877. Var was laid up in 1879 and sold in 1896.


SARTHE class transports (1,200 tons, 500 HP, wood)

Displacement: 3973t
Dimensions:272ft 4in wl x 44ft 4in ext x 21ft 1in mean, 22ft 1in max. Depth 19ft 8in
Same, meters:83.00 x 13.52 x 6.434, 6.734m. 5.984m
Machinery:500nhp (Indret). 1720ihp (designed). Trials: 1634ihp = 14.0kts (Tarn, 1865), 1618ihp = 11,65kts (Tarn, 1874), 1249ihp = 10.66kts (Sarthe, 1872)
Hull material:Wood
Armament:4-30p shell. Later 2-14cm
Complement:220

Name          Builder    Laid downLaunched Commiss. Fate         
SARTHECherbourg4.4.6025.11.629.7.63Stk. 11.12.96
AVEYRONCherbourg5.7.603.9.646.7.65Lost 21.8.84
CREUSERochefort11.4.6029.8.631.5.64Stk. 2.4.91
CORREZERochefort1.9.6123.5.681869Stk. 5.2.92
TARNToulon8.6010.10.632.9.64Stk. 4.11.89

Class. On 28.10.59 the Minister of Marine ordered two transports-écuries similar to Jura and Calvados from Cherbourg and two from Rochefort. On the same date the Director of Naval Construction wrote that the Minister had ordered him to prepare to lay down ten new ships of this type, including the four at the two dockyards and six to be ordered from private firms. The four dockyard ships were increased to 500 HP, making them a separate class and causing them to be described as high-speed cavalry transports ("transports-écuries à grande vitesse"). Plans for the ships by Guesnet were approved by the Minister and sent to the ports on 23.3.60 and their names were approved on 4.4.60. Tarn was probably added to the class in 1860, and plans by Dutard for modifications to her stern were approved on 28.9.60. All five engines were probably built at Indret.

Disposals. Sarthe became a barracks hulk at Toulon was renamed Vem in 1901, and was scrapped in 1911. Aveyron was driven by high winds onto the wreck of another ship off Cape Guardafui on 21.8.84, could not be saved, and was burned by her crew. Corrèze was a hospital hulk at Diègo Suarez from 1894 to 1896. Tarn became a barracks hulk at Toulon in 1890. Disposed of by the Navy in 1896, she was used as a hospital in 1897-1900 and as a barracks ship for "isolés" in 1901-1905.


EUROPEEN transport (2350 tons, 500 hp.)

Displacement: 3017t (displ.)
Dimensions:292ft 5in wl x 38ft 10in wl x 16ft 11in mean, 18ft 7in max. Depth 16ft 1in
Same, meters:89.14 x 11.84 x 5.16, 5.66m. 4.91m
Machinery:500nhp. Trials (1872): 1206ihp = 11.25kts
Hull material:Steel
Armament:2-14cm
Complement:?

Name          Builder    Launched Commiss. Fate         
EUROPEENGreenock20.4.5525.12.59Stk. 2.4.95

Class. In 1855 Scott & Co., Greenock, Scotland, completed the steel-hulled passenger and cargo ship European (their hull 23). On 2.11.59 the Director of Naval Construction wrote that the Minister of Marine had ordered him to buy three British steamers to support the expedition to China, particularly to carry as many as possible of the 20 screw "chaloupes cannonnieres" (gun launches, Nos. 12-31) that were under construction for this purpose. The purchase contract for Européen was concluded on 14.11.59. The three ships retained the French versions of their mercantile names. Européen could carry 850 tons of cargo.

Disposal. Européen became a headquarters hulk at Saigon in 1895 and was used as a coal hulk from 1899 to 1911 when she was scrapped.


WESER transport (2500 tons, 600 hp.)

Displacement: 2266t gross
Dimensions:327ft 5in wl x 39ft 8in x 25ft 7in
Same, meters:99.8 x 12.1 x 7.8m
Machinery:600nhp. 10kts.
Hull material:Steel or iron
Armament:?
Complement:?

Name          Builder    Launched Commiss. Fate         
WESERJarrow27.10.5817.12.59Lost 16.1.61

Class. Weser was built by Palmer Bros. & Co., Jarrow-on-Tyne, England, for the North German Lloyd in 1858. She was one of the first four ships built for this firm, the others being her sister Hudson by Palmer and Bremen and New York by Caird, Greenock. Weser had a clipper stem, two funnels, and three masts rigged for sail. There were accommodations for 70-1st, 100-2nd and 450-3rd class passengers. She sailed from Bremen on her maiden voyage to New York on 4.12.58, but had to put back to Cork for repairs after being damaged by heavy seas. She sailed from Cork on 6.3.59 and arrived in New York on 18.3.59. She started her third and last Bremen - Southampton - New York voyage on 1.7.59. On 2.11.59 the Director of Naval Construction wrote that the Minister of Marine had ordered him to buy three British steamers to support the expedition to China, particularly to carry as many as possible of the 20 screw chaloupes cannonnieres (Nos. 12-31) that were under construction for this purpose. The purchase contract for Wéser was concluded on 17.11.59. The three ships retained the French versions of their mercantile names.

Weser's sister Hudson was launched on 12.6.58 and started her maiden voyage on 11.9.58. After this voyage she was damaged by fire in dock at Bremerhaven on 2.11.58 and was towed to Palmer's yard where she was rebuilt and had one funnel removed. She was sold and renamed Louisiana in 1862 and was scrapped in 1894.

Disposal. Wéser was wrecked on 16.1.61 at the mouth of the Mekong River, 60 miles from Poulo Condor, Cochinchina, and was stricken on 25.4.61.


JAPON transport (2300 tons, 400 hp.)

Displacement: 3118t
Dimensions:310ft 10in wl x 40ft 0in wl x 19ft 4in max. Depth 16ft 3in
Same, meters:94.75 x 12.20 x 5.90m. 4.96m
Machinery:400nhp. 1200ihp (designed). Trials (1869): 1671.4ihp = 12.41kts.
Hull material:Steel
Armament:2-14cm
Complement:160

Name          Builder    Launched Commiss. Fate         
JAPONGreenock185719.1.60Stk. 22.11.02

Class. In 1857 the Caird shipbuilding firm at Greenock, Scotland, completed the steel hulled cargo ship Japan (their hull 57). On 2.11.59 the Director of Naval Construction wrote that the Minister of Marine had ordered him to buy three British steamers to support the expedition to China, particularly to carry as many as possible of the 20 screw chaloupes cannonnieres (Nos. 12-31) that were under construction for this purpose. The purchase contract for Japon was concluded on 3.12.59. The three ships retained the French versions of their mercantile names. Japon could carry 900 tons of cargo at a draft of 6.25 meters. Plans for embarking torpedo launches on this ship were drafted in 1880. She was attached to the torpedo school at Toulon in 1884 and served as a training and depot ship. In 1898 she was converted to a collier and fitted with Temperley equipment that allowed her to transfer coal to ships of the fleet while underway at ten knots. She could carry 2500 tons of coal.

Disposal. Japon was scrapped at Marseille in 1903.

Note. For transports converted from line of battleships and frigates see the listings for those types.

Copyright © Stephen S. Roberts 2009-2015.