8MM HOME MOVIES ABOARD THE SS FRANCE AND SS LIBERTE…

From the 1960s… home movie crossing the “pond” from New York to Europe and return…

Cruise History: The French Line’s SS FRANCE and SS LIBERTE crossing the pond…

THE  SS France by maritime historian Reuben Goosens …

With the loss of the Normandie in New York Harbour in 1942, the Ile de France became the only French Line largest Trans-Atlantic liner. However, the German liner Europa, which had been captured by Allied troops towards the end of World War II, was awarded to the French Line, who renamed her Liberte. This liner kept the French line afloat throughout the 1950’s.

SS France (from www.ssmaritime.com)

However, with Cunard operating the pride of their fleet with the 83,673-ton Queen Elizabeth, French Line directors decided to go one better than the British and build the longest passenger liner ever, to replace both the aging the Ile de France and Liberte, both of which were taken out of service by 1960. The 66,348-ton SS France was to be the last French liner to be built for the Trans-Atlantic service.

The magnificent France was born in the grand era of ocean going liners. She was launched on May 11, 1960. She became the longest Trans-Atlantic liner at 1,035 ft, in addition she was one of the most beautiful and graceful passenger liners ever built and the last of a long line of elegant French liners. Her trails commenced on November 19, 1961 and departed on January 19, 1962 for her first voyage, being a cruise to the Canary Islands. On February 3, 1962 she departed on her maiden Trans-Atlantic crossing from Le Havre to New York.

Click here to read more about the SS France – our thanks to Reuben Goosens at www.ssmaritime.com…