description SS Normandie Overview
SS Normandie was a French ocean liner built in Saint-Nazaire for the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (CGT). Entering service in 1935, she was the largest and fastest passenger ship afloat at the time, successfully capturing the Blue Riband for the fastest transatlantic crossing. Noted for her streamlined, Art Deco interior design, she represented the pinnacle of French luxury and engineering. On February 9, 1942, while undergoing conversion into a troopship at her New York City pier, a fire swept through the ship; she capsized due to the excessive amount of water pumped into her by firefighters.
help SS Normandie FAQ
How did the SS Normandie catch fire in New York?
In 1942, while being converted into the troopship USS Lafayette, a welder's torch accidentally ignited a massive pile of life preservers. The subsequent fire and the huge volume of water poured into the ship by fireboats caused it to capsize at its pier.
What major transatlantic record did the SS Normandie hold?
The French ocean liner successfully captured the Blue Riband for the fastest transatlantic crossing upon entering service in 1935. At the time, she was also the largest and fastest passenger ship afloat.
Which French shipping company owned the SS Normandie?
The ship was built for the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (CGT), commonly known as the French Line. It was constructed at the Chantiers de Penhoët shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
What happened to the wreck of the SS Normandie?
The United States Navy eventually refloated the wreck, but it was deemed too economically expensive to restore her to service. She was ultimately sold for scrap and dismantled in Newark, New Jersey, in 1946.
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