FRANCE I. 

Bark (5m). L/B/D: 361’ x 48.8’ x 25.9’ (110m x 14.9m x 7.9m). Tons: 3,784 grt. Hull: steel. Comp.: 46. Built: D & W. Henderson Co., Glasgow; 1890.

The first five-masted bark and the largest ship in the world at the time of her building, FRANCE was ordered for A. D. Bordes et Compagnie’s nitrate trade between Chile and Europe. On her first trip out, she carried 5,000 tons of coal and on her arrival at Iquique, she discharged the coal and loaded 5,500 tons of nitrate in the short time of eleven days, thanks in large part to her being fitted with steam winches. A fast ship, her best passage out was made in only sixty-three days, and she had another five passages in under eighty days. On January 27, 1897, while riding at anchor in Dungeness Roads, she was hit by the cruiser HMS BLENHEIM. The British ship had seen two lights – a riding light forward and a stern light – and, assuming that they belonged to two separate vessels, tried to steer between them. BLENHEIM turned at the last minute, but drove into the bark’s starboard quarter. An admiralty court ruled "the stern light a source of error, which might cause or contribute to an accident". FRANCE began her last voyage in March 1901, with coal for Valparaíso, under Captain Forgeard. On May 13 she was hit by a violent pampero that knocked her on her beam ends in about 34°S, 48°W. Her crew abandoned ship and were picked up by the German bark HEBE.

Lubbock, Nitrate Clippers. Villiers & Picard, Bounty Ships of France.

FRANCE II.

Bark (5m). L/B/D: 418.8’ x 55.8’ x 24.9’ (127.7m x 17m x 7.6m). Tons: 5,633 grt. Hull: steel. Comp.: 45. Mach.: 2 screws. Built: Chantiers de la Gironde, Bourdeaux; 1912.

The second five-masted bark of the name, FRANCE was the largest sailing ship ever built, with a gross tonnage that even exceeded that of the five-masted ship PREUSSEN. She was not considered as graceful as her predecessor (built in 1890), having a pronounced sheer that Basil Lubbock describes as "so steep you could toboggan down it in wet weather", and sporting a jubilee rig, meaning that she set a course, double topsails, and topgallants, but no royals. Built for the Société des Navires Mixtes (Prentout – Leblond – Leroux et Compagnie) for their nickel ore trade from New Caledonia, she made three voyages in that trade, her last ending at Clydebank in October 1916. FRANCE was then sold to Compagnie Francaise de Marine et Commerce of Rouen, who fitted her with two 90mm guns. 

She cleared for Montevideo in February 1917, and a week out was attacked by a German U-boat. Under sail and auxiliary power she escaped from her pursuer, making her way to Montevideo. After a trip to New York, she sailed for Port Adelaide with case oil before heading for New Caledonia. After her return to France in March 1919, her engines were removed and she was towed to Shields, England, to load coal for Baltimore. While under tow into the North Sea on December 1, the tow rope parted and FRANCE was knocked on her beam ends. The tow boat reported her as in distress, but she was later found and towed into Leith, where her cargo was restowed, and she cleared for Baltimore. After three transatlantic voyages, she cleared Newport, England, with coal for Lyttleton, New Zealand. In September 1921, she cleared Wellington for London carrying 6,000 casks of tallow and 11,000 bales of wool, the largest cargo ever shipped in a sailing ship from New Zealand. Arriving at London 90 days later, she loaded cement, trucks, and rails for the New Caledonian mines, arriving at Tchio on May 19 after a passage of 105 days. Two months later, she was en route to Pouembout for a cargo of ore when she grounded on a coral reef. She was abandoned and her hull was sold for L.2.000.

Lyman, "Five-Masted Square-Riggers". Villiers & Picard, Bounty Ships of France.

FRANCE II RENAISSANCE

In October 1996, an association was founded by a group of Frenchmen for the main purpose of carrying out a project entitled FRANCE II RENAISSANCE, consisting in building an updated, life-size replica of the great sailing ship, the five-masted FRANCE II, built in Bordeaux in 1913 and lost on 11^th July 1922 on the Caledonian Great Reef.

The objective in operating a vessel such as this, is to transform it into a Merchant Marine Training Ship and Ambassador-at-large for France around the world, to promote French culture and traditions mainly through international maritime matters.

The initiative considers a financial return indispensable, and for this reason the intention is to embark 200 passengers on cruises which are to sail around the world.

The project, according to the sponsors, is well advanced, particularly where technical factors and the setting up of a financial mechanism are concerned The latter, it seems, will be achieved by donations from people and firms, giving donors the opportunity to embark on the ship for periods of two days up to a week.

The 142 m. long ship, with 6,350 m² of sail surface, will be built with the cooperation of European shipyards, mainly in Brest. Bearing in mind the historic involvement of New Caledonia in the life of the original vessel, this overseas territory will be invited to participate actively in the project which the Association is implementing, thus making it possible to strengthen the links between the metropolis and New Caledonia.