History of naval construction in the estuary of the Loire

In the history of French naval construction, the estuary of the the Loire occupied and occupies always a place of first importance.

History

Naval construction in Nantes

It is necessary to go back to the history of the urban development of Nantes. Indeed, during the {{mini XVIIe}} and 18th centuries, Nantes developed with the triangular Commerce. Thus, of the shipyards was contruits there. But the enlarging of the ships started to pose problems. There Nantes is located at 60 kilometers upstream in the estuary of the the Loire, prohibiting with ships at fort Tirant of water of being able to enter.

The idea thus had just built these units downstream from Nantes. But it is necessary to await a decision of the Second Empire so that the project is concretized.

Indeed, at the beginning of the Années 1860 the France does not have a large shipyard allowing the construction of large units. This time is the beginning of the transatlantic connections and the Second Empire seeks to build large ships. Thus, the Scottish industrialist John Scott is charged to build a shipyard with Saint-Nazaire. This Building site will bear its name.

Saint-Nazaire was selected with the detriment of Paimboeuf. At the time, Saint-Nazaire was only one small harbor city living of fishing.

The building site John Scott

The building site was founded in 1861 by the Scottish industrialist John Scott. Constructions were primarily carried out for the transatlantic general Compagnie. This building site was built in 1861.

The first built ship was the transatlantic liner Impératrice Eugenie in 1864. The Building sites John Scott built eight steamers until their bankruptcy in 1866.

Several building sites

For the bankruptcy of the Scott building sites, it is necessary to await 1869 so that the Company of the Chantiers of the Ocean takes again the torch of naval construction in Saint-Nazaire. The first ship of this new building site was Ville of Brest . It was the first propeller ship builds in France.

Construction of the Normandy

The construction of the Normandy is an important phase for naval construction in Saint-Nazaire, the wearing of Saint-Nazaire and the town of Saint-Nazaire.

At the time, Saint-Nazaire is a transatlantic port. Indeed, the port accommodates transatlantic connections. The transatlantic general Compagnie emits the will of constuire a very large steamer. The shipyards of Saint-Nazaire and the Havre are in competition. A compromise is found to satisfy everyone. This large steamer will be built in Saint-Nazaire, but Le Havre obtains the transatlantic lines of North America (New York), Saint-Nazaire obtaining those of South America.

Thus, Saint-Nazaire launches out in the construction of the Normandy . But the port does not have a basin of Radoub. The construction of immense a Cale dries is decided, it will make it possible to accommodate Normandy for work of completion. This dry hold is always in activity. The Building sites of the Atlantic make use of it, but it belongs to the port. It is called Forme Joubert.

By the construction of this steamer, naval construction taken an important rise in Saint-Nazaire.

The Second world war

Saint-Nazaire and forever is not been a military arsenal, but the French State and the military navy often ordered warships to the shipyards of Saint-Nazaire.

In the middle of the Years 1930, the navy orders a Cuirassé, the Jean Bart . Its construction is still in hand when the war bursts. Its exit of the building sites and its departure for the Morocco is carried out of night with the German with the doors of the city. During the occupation, the Germans made use of the industrial tools for the effort of war and the repair of their military arsenal (construction of the underwater base).

After the Second world war, the activity of the Building sites moved, during a few years, on naval repair. Indeed, following the engagements, of many ships were damaged ( Europa ).

In 1955, the Building sites of the Loire and the Chantiers of Penhoët form the Chantiers of St Nazaire .

In 1961, the Chantiers of Saint-Nazaire become Chantiers the Alsthom-Atlantic and launch out in the construction of the France .

Important dates

  • 1900 : The building site becomes a subsidiary company of the Transatlantic General Company.

  • 1955 : fusion of the Workshops and Chantiers of the Loire and the Building sites of Penhoët, the new building site is called Chantiers of the Atlantic

  • 1983 : birth of Alsthom-Atlantic-Dubigeon-Normandy

  • 1987 : closing of the Building sites Dubigeon

List shipyards of the estuary of the Loire

Internal bonds

External bonds

  • departmental File of the Loire-Atlantique

Sources

  • Nantes sailing ships

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