French Line's DE GRASSE

The tragic loss by fire of the handsome French "Paquebot" ANTILLES on 8 January 1971 while cruising off the Isle of Mustique led to the purchase later the same year of the Norwegian liner BERGENSFJORD as a replacement.
Renamed DE GRASSE she was pressed in Central America service still under masts and hull colours of Norwegian America Line, only the funnel in CGT French Line colours. Later she was repainted white but had a very short career under the French flag. In late 1973 she was sold and renamed RASA SAYANG.
Constructed in Newcastle by the same builders of the Portuguese liners MOÇAMBIQUE and PRÍNCIPE PERFEITO, the BERGENSFJORD was introduced into service in May 1956. A very elegant ship, she had very similar exterior lines to her later fleet mate SAGAFJORD of 1965, but had two traditional masts.
Texto e imagens /Text and images copyright L.M.Correia. For other posts and images, check our archive at the right column of the main page. Click on the photos to see them enlarged. Thanks for your visit and comments. Luís Miguel Correia