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Le Polynesien
Length: 152 metres
Gross Tonnage: 6659 tons
Displacement: 10300 tons
Passengers: 172 First Class, 71 Second Class, 109 Third Class, 234 "Rationnaires"
Propulsion: 1 Steam Engine, heated 12 coal boilers allowing a speed or 17.5 knots.
History
The Polynesien was built for "La Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes" at La Ciotat in France like her sister ships "Australien", "Armand Behic" and "Ville De La Ciotat". The ships were quickly recognisable by their length, low profile on the water, and by their double funnels painted black. The ships were painted white between 1895 till 1905.
Le Polynesien was launched on the 18th April 1890 by Marie Francois Sadi Carnot, President of the Republic of France.
In 1891 she started operating between France and Australia, through the Suez Canal.
In 1903 they changed her route and operated between France and the Far East mainly transporting passengers to the French Colonies.
In 1914 it operated towards Australia and New Caledonia, before being dispatched back to Europe.
On the 10th August 1918 she was hit by a Torpedo from the U Boot UC22 and sank 7 miles outside the entrance of Valletta Grand Harbour – Malta, 10 people lost their lives. It lies at a depth of 60 metres.
above underwater photos by Emi Farrugia
Polynesien Bow Gun
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