© 2005 - Mike MacKenzie, Largs and District Historical Society , Kirkgate House, Manse Court, LARGS, Ayrshire, KA30 8AW, United Kingdom. The information is provided for the purposes of private study and research - Commercial Rights Reserved.
In the linked pages you will find a brief summary of the career of one ship which was known at various times as MV CHARLES PLUMIER, or as HMS LARGS, or as MV PLEIAS, and was in turn a fruit-carrier, Armed Merchant Cruiser, Ocean Boarding Vessel, Landing Ship Headquarters (Large), passenger & general cargo ship and cruise ship.
The ship was originally named CHARLES PLUMIER after the French Botanist Charles Plumier (1646 - 1704) who is credited with the discovery and naming of Fuchsias and Begonias which he found in Santo Domingo in the West Indies around 1695.
Between 1941 and 1945 the ship carried the name LARGS, after the town of that name in S.W. Scotland.
In 1946 the ship's merchant career was resumed under the original name CHARLES PLUMIER.
The final years of this ship's life were spent in Greek hands, with the name PLEIAS. This name appears to be associated with the Pleiades, "the Seven Stars" in the constellation Taurus.
The Largs & District Historical Society has been in contact with nearly 100 men who served on board this ship between 1941 and 1945 and is interested to hear from others (or the families of others) who served on this ship at any time between 1938 and 1968. Please contact Mike MacKenzie at the address given at the top of this page.
Further details of any stages of the ship's career will be welcomed by the Society, especially for the period as an A.M.C. in the French Navy. Please contact Mike MacKenzie at the address given at the top of this page [ or by e-mail to Mike MacKenzie ].
[ see also the 'other vessels' page ]
[ see also the Largs and District Historical Society page ]
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[ latest update - 10 February 2005]
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