The Eridian was launched during June 1928 at the Societe Provencale de Constructions Navals, La Ciotat for Messageries Maritime, Marseilles for their Marseilles - Beirut - Alexandria service. Her maiden voyage commenced on November 19th 1929 to Alexandria. Her homeport was Dunkirk.
In 1930 the Eridan was transferred to the Dunkirk - Havre - Bordeaux - Lisbon - Algiers - Marseilles - Australia service.
In 1935 the Eridan worked the Marseilles - Panama - New Caledonia service.
The Eridan was damaged in a collision with the Empress of Australia at Algiers on March 8th 1939.
The arrival of World War II found the Eridian in the control of the Vichy French and was used on the Marseilles - Madagascar - Saigon route.
During November 1942 the ship was captured by U.S. troops at Oran and sent to Britain for conversion for troopship service, under the management of the British India S.N. Co. Operating with a French crew the ship ferried troops initially to North Africa and then in 1945 to Indo-China. On December 29th 1945 the ship was badly damaged by fire in Saigon harbour.
The Eridan sailed as part of Convoy GUS 33 - the convoy travelled from Port Said to Hampton Roads during March 5th to April 4th 1944, the Eridan joined from Alexandria on the afternoon of March 6th and detached at midday on March 11th for Tripoli via Malta.
The aftermath of World War II saw the Eridian back on familiar duties, many Europeans, in particular those who had been persecuted, looking for a new start in life. Many chose the opportunities available in Australia, during 1948/1949 the Eridan would be their means of passage to a new life. Period reports note the trip took about sixty days under trying conditions.
In 1951 the Eridan underwent a refit for use on Indian Ocean passenger services. One obvious result of the refit was the loss of one funnel. Following repairs the ship's first sailing was from Marseilles on September 7th 1951, also during the refit the accomodation was slightly modified for 84 1st Class and 100 2nd class passengers.
During 1956 the ship was taken out of service and scrapped at La Seyne the same year.
Builder: Société Provençale de Construction de Navire at La Ciotat
Launched: 1929
Gross Weight: 9,927 tons
Length: 445.4 feet
Beam: 61.1 feet
Draught 26.1 feet
Engines: Two 2-cycle single acting CCM Sulzer 8ST60 engines totalling 6,000hp at 110rpm
Auxiliary Engines: Five x 7RKH30 airless injection, total output 1,850hp at 300rpm
Screws: 2
Service Speed: 15.5 knots
Passenger Capacity: 60 first, 86 third class, 436 steerage or 1,200 troops
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Post card views of the 1st Class & 2nd Class cabins on board the Eridan. |
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A post card view of one of the eight cylinder engines used to power the Eridan. |
