La Provence

French Line

Length:	602.3 ft.
Breadth:	65.0 ft.
Draft (or Depth):	38.3 ft (depth).
Tonnage:	13,753 (gross); 3,834 (net)
Engines:	Triple expansion, 8 cyl. (2) 47.25" (2) 76.3" (4) 95.2" x 66.9" stroke
Speed:	22.5 knots
Builder:	Chantier et Ateliers de la St. Nazaire (Penhoet) Society Anonyme. Yard No. 44
Launched:	March 21, 1905
Maiden Voyage:	April 21, 1906
Disposition:	February 26, 1916 - torpedoed and sunk by German U-Boat.
Particulars:	Port of Registry: Harve, France Flag of Registry: French Funnel color: Red; black top Company flag: White; red ball in corner. Red Cie Gle Transatlantique Signal Letters: K R S H Wireless call letters: M L P Details: Steel hull; two funnels, two masts; twin screws; 4 decks, 5 tiers of beams, shade deck; accommodation: First class, 422; second class, 132; third class, 808

Relationship to Titanic disaster / inquiries.

Eastbound, New York to Havre. At 12:15 a.m., La Provence was among the first vessels to pick up Titanic's distress call. Her own wireless operator misread and logged the signal as "41.46N., 50.24W."

The corrected signal (41.44N., 50.14W.) was transmitted at 12:25 a.m. and La Provence assisted in its relay to other vessels.

The news of the disaster spread quickly among the liner's passengers, causing a great deal of concern despite the lateness of the hour.

Data:

March 21, 1905

Launched

April 21, 1906

Maiden voyage, Havre-New York and return

June 17, 1914

Last commercial voyage, New York-Havre

December 1914

Became French armed merchant cruiser; renamed Provence 11

February 26, 1916

Aegean Sea near Cape Matapan: Torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-15 while en route from Toulon to Salonika with an estimated 1,700 French troops aboard; There were 870 survivors and approximately 830 lost.

Courtesy: John P. Eaton. Used with permission.