Normandie

ship built in 1935

Key facts

Name: Normandie
Namesake: Normandy
Owner: Compagnie Générale Transatlantique
Port of registry: Port of Le Havre
Route: Le Havre - Southampton - New York
Builder: Chantiers de Penhoet, Saint-Nazaire , France
Laid down: 26 January 1931
Launched: 29 October 1932
Christened: 29 October 1932
Maiden voyage: 29 May 1935
In service: 1935–1942
Identification: Call sign FNSK
Fate

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Article

SS Normandie was a French ocean liner built in Saint-Nazaire, France, for the French Line Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (CGT). She entered service in 1935 as the largest and fastest passenger ship afloat, crossing the Atlantic in a record 4.14 days, and remains the most powerful steam turbo-electric-propelled passenger ship ever built.

During service as the flagship of the CGT, she made 139 westbound transatlantic crossings from her home port of Le Havre to New York City. Normandie held the Blue Riband for the fastest transatlantic crossing at several points during her service career, during which RMS Queen Mary was her main rival.