Touraine is a steamer of the transatlantic general Compagnie, 1891 - 1923.

History

At the time of its startup, Touraine was the largest French steamer in tonnage and the fifth in the world. Its dimensions corresponded to the maximum possibilities of the Port of the Havre, forced which will not disappear before the Années 1930. It was also the last steamer of the Company to have veils.

It enters in service in June 1891 on the line Le Havre - New York. It is, at the time, the fastest ship of the Transatlantic race, it reaches the mean velocity of 21,2 nodes in July 1892 during a crossing of the Atlantic in 6 days 17 hours and 30 minutes. It is a nonofficial record which cannot thus be registered with the prize list of the famous blue Ruban.

In 1894, it carries out the first cruising organized by the Transatlantic race, a voyage between Constantinople and New York and return (?). Between 1900 and 1902, it completely is remelted and modernized with in particular the suppression of the one of its masts.

In January 1903, a fire damages most of the emménagements for passengers.

From 1913, it carries out the summer of rotations with the Canada.

In October 1913, it carries help to the Italian steamer Volturno on fire in the middle of the Atlantic, and collects 42 survivors whom it unloads in New York.

During the First World War, it continues to ensure the service of New York, and is briefly used like auxiliary cruiser.

From June to August 1923, it is used like hotel floating with Gothenburg, in Sweden during an exhibition. On this occasion, it is renamed Maritime and its hull repainted in gray.

It is demolished with fine Dunkirk 1923.