Formigny

[Martin Vyn]

Hello, the Vichy-French freighter Formigny (2.166 grt./built 1915 although Miramar mentions June 1917) was captured by the British on December 9, 1940. As from 1941 she sailed under the British flag, with the same name.

I try to find out what happened to her eventually. Both Jordan (The World Merchant Fleets 1939) and Miramar claim she was scuttled at Normandy on June 9, 1944 (Gooseberry 5 or 4 resp.) but according to John S. de Winter "D-Day Ships" she was planned as such, but withdrawn at the end of May 1944. La Marine Francaise by Saibene, Brouard and Mercier back up the story from D-Day Ships, but do not mention what did happen to her.

Anyone out there who does know her end?

Thanks

Martin

[Capu]

Good evening,
I had, at the time of writing the book on the French Merchant Marine in the WWII, exchanged with Marc Saibène on the fate of this ship.
If the designation of this ship to be used as block-ships is not in doubt, there is no trace of it, except that it was not scuttled in Normandy. It was assumed that the condition of the ship did not allow it to sail to Normandy and that it was sent to a demolition site. But we did not find any document to confirm it.
The Formigny is classified in the lists of the losses of the French Merchant Marine during the war.

Regards
Alain

[Martin Vyn]

Alain, thank you very much for your interesting reply.

Regards

Martin

[de domenico]

From the Arnold Hague convoy database I gather that FORMIGNY went unescorted from the Clyde (where she had been since 19 Dec. 1943) to Liverpool on 26/29 July 1944 and from Liverpool to Cardiff on 22/24 Jan. 1945, so she was presumably scrapped there.

[Martin Vyn]

Thank you for this extra information, very helpfull.

[Capu]

Hello,

Thanks for your reply de domenico.

Regards
Alain