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French Transatlantic Liners
The demise of paddle steamers on the North Atlantic run was illustrated by the remarkably rapid conversion of a number of almost new steamers from paddle to screw for the new French operator on the New York mail run.


Compagnie Generale Transatlantique (CGT)
The company was founded in 1855 as the Compagnie Generale Maritime by the industrialists Emile and Isaac Pereire. Initially unsuccessful, the company took over the official contract to ship mail to the USA and was renamed to reflect the new focus. This was to be the first regular timetabled service and linked Le Havre and Brest with New York. Additional services were provided from Saint Nazaire to the Caribbean
The newly built screw steamer Louisiane, built in Govan as Cortes and purchased from Cadiz owners, inaugurated the Mexico service in 1862 whilst land was sought to build new steamers for the New York run in France - a condition of the contract was that three of the planned six vessels would be built in France. A yard was established in St Nazaire by engineers from John Scott of Greenock, Scotland on behalf of the CGT which built the hulls. Engines were sourced from Le Creusot. The decision to use paddle steamers was quickly found to be in error and the ships were soon converted to screw propulsion.
Despite early travails, which inclded near bankruptcy and the temporary absence of the Periere brothers, the company went on to gresat success, operating some of the world's most famous liners including Normandie and France. The shipyard remains one of Europe's leading yards as Chantiers de l'Atlantique.


Washington
Built in 1864 by J Scott & Co at Greenock
345.6 ft : 3071 GRT
Engines : 2 x side lever by the Greenock Foundry Company
Inaugurated the New York mail service.
Converted to screw propulsion in 1868 by Robert Napier, becoming the pioneer twin-screw ship on the transatlantic run

Lafayette
Built in 1864 by J Scott & Co at Greenock
345.6 ft : 3200 GRT
Engines : 2 x side lever by the Greenock Foundry Company
Converted to screw propulsion in 1868 by Chantiers d'Atlantique, St Nazaire

Imperatrice Eugenie
Built in 1864 by Chantiers John Scott, at Penhoet, St Nazaire
345.6 ft : 3200 GRT.
Renamed Atlantique in 1870. Converted to screw propulsion in 1873 and renamed America

Europe
Built in 1865 by J Scott & Co at Greenock
345.6 ft : 3375 GRT
Engines : 2 x side lever by the Greenock Foundry Company
Lengthened and converted to screw propulsion in 1873 by A Leslie & Co at Hebburn UK

Nouveau Monde
Built in 1865

Napoleon III
Built in 1865 by Thames Ironworks & Shipbuilding at London
365.9 ft : 3376 GRT
Engine by Ravenhill, Salkeld & Co
Lengthened and converted to screw in 1871 by A Leslie & Co at Hebburn UK
Renamed Ville du Havre in 1873, sank later in 1873 after a collision


Ships for the Caribbean service

Guyane
Built in 1865 by J&G Thomson at Govan
246 ft : 940 GRT
Engine : 2 diagonal engines operating paddles independently. Built by Societe de Fives of Lille
Originally intended as a blockade runner for the USA, she was bought off the stocks
Operated an inter-island service in the Caribbean until grounded and lost in 1889

Panama
Built in 1866

Sonora
Built in 1863 by Barclay, Curle & Co at Glasgow
180.4 ft : 372 GRT
Engine : Steeple
Built for the Leith, Hull & Hamburg Steam Packet Co as Anglia
Sailed for the CGT on their Mexico service from 1865 to 1878
Later used as a tug at Bordeaux



Paddle Tug at St Nazaire :

Athlete
Built in 1862 by Blackwood & Gordon at Port Glasgow as Flying Meteor for the Clyde Shipping Company
111.6 ft : 118 GRT
Sold to the CGT and arrived at St Nazaire in October 1863

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Historical Database