The SS Afrique was a French ocean liner that sank in the Bay of Biscay on January 12, 1920, with the loss of over 500 lives.
Launched in 1907, the Afrique was operated by the Compagnie des Chargeurs Réunis, a French shipping company. She regularly sailed between Bordeaux, France, and ports in West Africa, carrying passengers, cargo, and mail.
On January 9, 1920, the Afrique departed Bordeaux en route to various destinations in West Africa. Aboard were a mix of passengers, including colonial administrators, merchants, military personnel, and African soldiers and civilians. The ship also carried a significant amount of cargo.
During the voyage, the Afrique encountered a severe storm in the Bay of Biscay. High winds and heavy seas battered the vessel. On January 12, the Afrique collided with the SS English Trader, a British cargo ship, in dense fog. The collision caused significant damage to the Afrique, particularly below the waterline.
Despite efforts to contain the flooding, the Afrique began to sink rapidly. Distress signals were sent, but the severe weather conditions hampered rescue efforts. The English Trader, while damaged, remained afloat and attempted to assist in the rescue. However, the stormy seas made it difficult to launch lifeboats and transfer passengers.
The Afrique sank within a few hours of the collision. Of the approximately 600 people on board, only 34 survived. Most of the passengers and crew perished in the cold waters of the Bay of Biscay. The sinking of the SS Afrique was one of the worst maritime disasters in French history.
The disaster led to investigations and inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the sinking. Factors such as the dense fog, the severity of the storm, the design of the ship, and the adequacy of safety procedures were examined. The sinking highlighted the dangers of maritime travel in the Bay of Biscay and prompted discussions about improving safety standards for passenger ships. The wreck of the SS Afrique remains a designated maritime grave site.