Published December 1, 2003. All images and text copyright Peter Knego 2003 (unless otherwise noted).

Page One:

Last Owners: Paradise Cruises, Limassol, Cyprus
Built by Arsenal de la Marine National Francais, Brest
Yard no: ME2
Rebuilt at Piraeus 1972, 1978, 1993
13,562 gt
549 feet by 67.6 feet / 167.3 x 20.6 meters
25.9 feet / 7.9 meter draft
Two ten cylinder Creusot B&W diesels; Twin screw; 10,300 BHP; 17 knots
Passengers: 433 (670 maximum)

The radiant veteran cruise liner MV ATALANTE skillfully backs out of the tiny port of Simi during one of her Greek Islands Cruises on 30 September 2003. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The Last Of The Messageries Maritimes Liners

Messageries Maritimes' handsome MV TAHITIEN as built. Christopher Kyte collection.

In a climate where so many favorite classic passenger ships are ending their days, it is a great joy to report on the still very active and vital MV ATALANTE of Cyprus-based Paradise Cruises. With the recent scrapping of LAPALMA (ex FERDINAND DE LESSEPS, DELPHI, LA PERLA) and the sad news of the sale for scrap of the STELLA SOLARIS (ex CAMBODGE, STELLA V) ATALANTE is now officially the last of the once vast assembly of Messageries Maritimes combi-liners.

 

The Messageries Maritimes logo (left) and the bronze medallion designed to commemorate the ATALANTE's entry into service in 1953. Christopher Kyte and Peter Knego collections.

ATALANTE was built in 1953 as the 12,614 gt TAHITIEN, the second of two sister ships for Messageries Maritimes' South Pacific colonial run. Her twin, the 12,712 gt CALEDONIEN, entered service on October 1, 1952, with TAHITIEN following on May 4, 1953. CALEDONIEN was built by the Ateliers et Chantiers yard in Dunkirk while TAHITIEN came from the stocks of Arsenal de Brest. TAHITIEN had a slightly larger first class passenger complement of 74 versus CALEDONIEN's 71, while both ships carried 84 in tourist and 208 in third.

They were powered by Burmeister and Wain diesels (CALEDONIEN's from Pehhoet and TAHITIEN's from Creusot) producing 10,300 BHP to drive twin screws for a service speed of 17 knots, 18 maximum.

CALEDONIEN and TAHITIEN had the well-balanced racy look of early postwar motorliners. Very similar in outward appearance to the FERDINAND DE LESSEPS quartet, they were also of a like size and style to no less than seven handsome Lloyd Triestino combi-liners and foreshadowed the near perfect Belgian twins BADOUINVILLE and JADOTVILLE by several years. They had gracefully curved bows, a well deck aft of the fo'c'sle, stepped up superstructure, squat funnel (with open air vents fore and aft to deflect exhaust upward), and tapered afterdecks dipping down into a second well before ending with docking platforms and refined cruiser spoon sterns. They were both equipped with six cargo holds and their layout was nearly identical. Decor-wise, CALEDONIEN was a bit more stark and modern, while TAHITIEN assumed the interior look of a more ornate 1950s colonial liner.

The route map from a Messageries Maritimes' brochure. Peter Knego collection.

Their approximately 90 day sailings took them from/to Marseilles via Algiers, Madeira, Guadeloupe, Martinique, the Panama Canal, Papeete, Port Vila, Noumea, and Sydney. They were soon augmented on this service by the MELANESIEN (9,500 gt/1925) and later by the OCEANIEN (ex NOORDAM -- 1938/10,726 gt), which enabled them to offer a departure every six weeks. As with any French liner of the era, the first class on board these two sisters was deluxe; tourist class was comfortable; and third class spartan.

TAHITIEN Top To Bottom Tour:

TAHITIEN had a relatively large top deck, Pont F, surrounding the mast and funnel. It was accessed from forward/port via a small set of stairs leading up from the bridge wing and continued down from aft via another staircase.

Pont E (Bridge Deck) began forward with the wheelhouse and its open wings. Externally, it continued aft via open promenades under the canopy of life boats, culminating in a narrow terrace overlooking the stern. From inside, the wheelhouse was followed by the chart room on the port side, the captain's office on the starboard side, and officers' accommodation beyond that.

The first class Smoking Room, facing starboard. Peter Knego collection.

The four passenger decks began at the top with Pont D. An observation area above the deckhouse on forward Pont C served tourist class. Aft, sheltered by the midships superstructure, a winter garden catered to first class passengers, continuing via covered promenades to the first class pool. Internally, this level featured an array of intimate first class public rooms, beginning with the Smoking Room, which could be opened up onto the winter garden by sliding screens. It featured sycamore marquetry paneling, two paintings by Yves Brayer, and a large dance floor.

The Cafe Bar, facing forward/starboard toward the Despierre mural of Bourgogne. Peter Knego collection.

Just aft was the first class Entry Hall with doors on either side leading to the promenades and the bronze bannistered main stairtower leading down to the next two decks. The Cafe Bar was on the port side, featuring paneling of chene cire, red and yellow soft fittings and a decorative panel by Jacques Despierre celebrating the vendors of Bourgogne. A large folding screen allowed the bar to open directly onto the port promenade in temperate conditions.

The Card and Writing Room, facing aft. Peter Knego collection.

The Bridge (Card) and Writing Room was on the starboard side. Orange and brown accents complemented dark paneling and a lacquer mural of Indochina by Pierre Dunand which also featured engravings of the principal monuments of Paris.

Facing forward in the Swimming Pool Bar. Christopher Kyte collection.

The sheltered, partially open air Swimming Pool Bar looked out onto the pool terrace.

The swimming pool. Note the well deck aft, which was typical of most combi-liners of the day. Christopher Kyte collection.

The open air terrace surrounding the first class pool was nothing short of expansive, considering the TAHITIEN's limited first class complement.

Please click for page two: TAHITIEN Tour, Continued

[ATALANTE page two]   [ATALANTE page three]   [ATALANTE page four]   [ATALANTE page five]   [ATALANTE page six]   [ATALANTE page seven]

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