SS La Bourgogne, French passenger liner in Le Havre, France
The SS La Bourgogne was a French passenger steamship about 150 meters long that operated regular routes between Le Havre and New York for the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique. The vessel carried around 725 passengers and represented modern transatlantic steam technology of its period.
The vessel was built in 1885 by Société Nouvelles de Forges et Chantiers de Méditerranée and sank in 1898 following a collision with the cargo ship Cromartyshire near the Magdalen Islands. This wreck became one of the worst transatlantic disasters of the 1800s.
The ship represented French maritime pride and wealthy transatlantic travel during its era. It embodied the luxury and technical advancement that France sought to demonstrate in ocean transportation.
Today you can learn about this ship through historical sites in Le Havre or maritime archives in the region. Those interested in transatlantic travel history will find information about the route and the era when this steamer operated.
The ship was known for fast Atlantic crossings, yet its tragic ending quickly overshadowed its technical accomplishments. The disaster exposed gaps in maritime rescue practices and the social dynamics of large passenger vessels in that era.
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