FRANCE’S BID

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 7 April 1934, Page 3

FRANCE’S BID

NEW GIANT LINER NORTH ATLANTIC SERVICE FEATURES OF THE NORMANDIE Although Britain started her giant Cunarder “No. 534” some time before the Compagnie Gcnerale Transatlantiquo had got under way with plans for construction of the liner Normandie, the latter ship took the water first, being launched on 29th October, 1932, at St. Nazaire, while work was suspended on the British vessel for two years owing to financing difficulties. Thus France can at present definitely lay claim to the largest ship that has ever ridden the seas. , .. , . The Normandie, which was christened by Mmme. Lebrun, wife of the French President, is stated to be approximately 68,000 tons, as against the Cunarder’s 73,500 tons. She is 962 ft in length—longer than the Eiffel Tower, that other triumph of French engineering, is high. Her beam will be 117 ft —17ft wider than either the Majestic or the Leviathan. Her deck-to-keel depth is 91ft, against 58ft. for the other two giants of the ocean.

Thu speed of the Mauretania, Majestic, i.eviathian, Rex and Conte de Savoia (Italy’s two new giants), and the France is 25 knots, while the Bremen and Europe. (Germany) will do an even 26 knots. The Normandie, however, is scheduled to steam across the Atlantic at 30 knots without overworking her mighty engines. If she does not keep the blue riband of the North Atlantic it will only be because the greater Cunarder. which is to be launched in February of next year, will do a knot or two more when pushed. It is going to be an interesting struggle between giants of dimensions undreamt of less than ten years ago. With accommodation for close on 3000 passengers and nearly 1000 crew, the ship has eleven decks, five of which run uninterruptedly for the whole length of tlie ship. Her cost, so far as it can be estimated approximates £6,ooo,ooo—almost the same as that of the British giant.