BRIEF HISTORY
The T.S.S
Normandie was a French ocean liner built in Saint-Nazaire
France for Compagnie Générale Transatlantique. When launched
in 1932 she was the largest and fastest ship in the world,
and she maintains the distinction of being the most powerful
steam turbo-electric propelled passenger ship ever built.
Her novel design features and lavish interiors have led many
to to consider her the greatest of all ocean liners. Despite
this, she was not a commercial success, and relied partly on
government subsidy to operate.
In 1942, while being converted to a troopship during World
War II, Normandie caught fire, capsized, and sank at the New
York Passenger Ship Terminal. Although she was salvaged at
great expense, restoration was deemed too costly, and she
was scrapped in October 1946. |