Tag Archives: Grand Banks

La Bourgogne launch

 

The four masted steamship La Bourgogne was launched in 1885, the second of four large steamships commissioned by Compagnie Générale Transatlantique. The other three ships, La Champagne, La Bretagne and La Gascogne, were likewise named after old French provinces.

All four ships were built to identical dimensions: 7,400 gross tonnage extending 500 feet, almost the length of two American football fields. Two funnels towered over the iron and steel construction and 8,000 horsepower allowed her to sail upwards of 17 knots or 20 miles per hour. Her design accommodated cabins for 390 first class, 65 second class and berths for 600 third or steerage passengers. 

There were four decks, promenade, main, cabin and steerage. Curiously on the main deck were places where heavy marine guns could be placed. For what contingency was not revealed. 

 

Captain Oscar Hilmore Henderson

Commanding the Cromartyshire was Captain Oscar Henderson. In the early morning of 3 July 1898, he was summoned from the pilot house by his wife, Clara Maud Henderson. She was an early riser and at 5:00 a.m. she thought she had heard a ship’s whistle in the distance.

Nothing could be discerned through the dense fog, so she and her husband walked forward and listened. Seconds past. Nothing. A whole minute passed without a sound.

Captain Oscar Hilmore Henderson and his wife

Clara Maud Henderson, aboard the Cromartyshire, 4 July 1898

 

And then they heard something approaching from the port side of the bow.

La Bourgogne leaving New York

Below is an earlier image( four masts) of La Bourgogne I animated.

La Bourgogne’s structure was later modified from four to two mast, presumably to reduce fuel consumption and make her faster on her trans-Atlantic route.

SS La Bourgogne Book Update

I’m making significant progress with the research of the La Bourgogne book including contact with the family of the only woman survivor, Victorie LaCasse.

 

Victorie Lacasse

(Photo courtesy of Patricia Pinner)

 

Victorie’s rescue was noted in newspaper’s worldwide…the “One Woman”.

If all goes well I expect to have a final draft to the publisher in December, 2020.  Distribution will be in eBook form so links will be available. I expect it to be available on Amazon, iBooks, Smashwords and other on-line outlets.