belem's history
Introduction
Fernand Crouan. This shipowner from Nantes assured transportation of cocoa from Brazil and sugar from the West Indies for the chocolate maker Menier.
1896-1900. Her beginnings.
1896, birth. The Belem was built within seven months in the shipbuilding yard Dubigeon in Nantes for the shipowner Crouan.
1896-1897, maiden voyage. Under the orders of Captain Lemerle, the Belem leaves on July 31st for Montevideo to take a load of she-mules for the city of Belém in Brazil. It arrived safe and sound at destination but a fire ravaged the hold and killed all animals. The vessel had to return to Nantes for important repairs.
1897, second voyage. Under the orders of Captain Rioual, the Belem maked the same route as in its maiden journey, but this time, it delivered successfully to Belém her load of she-mules and sheeps. She returned to Nantes with the priceless cocoa from Pará.
1897-1899, third to fifth voyage. Under the orders of Captain Dolu, the Belem leaves for Buenos Aires via Cardiff. She made a stopover in Belém on the way home. Always under the orders of Captain Dolu, Belem made another trip to Buenos Aires with a stopover on the way back in Belém. Getting ready for its fifth journey, she collided with an English steamer in Saint-Nazaire harbour. The fifth voyage is the last journey of Captain Dolu before his pension.
1899-1900, sixth to eighth voyage. Captain Chauvelon is named commander of the Belem but a suite of hazards and setbacks prevented him from running the vessel.
1901-1914. Chauvelon’s years.
1901-1902, the Chauvelon’s first three campaigns.
May 8th, 1902, Mont Pelée. The Belem was present in Martinique when the volcano named Mont Pelée destroyed its capital, Saint-Pierre.
1907-1908, the Demange’s interlude. After the liquidation of the Crouan’s company, the Belem passes briefly under Demange Frères’ colours and was used on their line of Cayenne.
1909-1914, Fleuriot’s years. The Belem is sold to another shipowner, but she kept her captain and continued to serve French Guyane and the French West Indies.
The thirty-second and last campaign. From September 6, 1913 till January 31, 1914, the Belem made its last merchant ship voyage. She is going to change pavilion at its return from the Caribbean.
1914-1921. The yacht of the Duke of Westminster.
Westminster’s Yacht. Acquired by Englishmen, the Belem undergoes profound changes to be convenient for its new vocation : big luxury yacht.
1921-1939. The adventure around the world with Ernest Guinness.
Fantôme II. Under this new name, the Belem, bought by the owner of the famous Irish brewery, is going to sail all around the world.
1939-1951, years of expectation.
Years of expectation, The Fantôme II will remain parked in the island of Wight until 1952.
1951-1979. Training ship in Italy.
The Giorgo Cini. The Fantôme II is bought back by the foundation Cini to serve as its training ship.
On 1979, the return in France. Thanks to a financial help from Les Caisses d’épargne, the Giorgio Cini ownership became French once more.
From 1980 to now. A new adventure under a French pavilion.
The French three masted training ship Belem. Thanks to the sponsoring of les Caisses d’Épargne and the French Navy, the boat is restored and can sail again as a training ship opened to all.