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Building the Dream: a French Triumph
The SS France was a step forward in every sense, for it's country, and for its owners, Compagnie Générale Transatlantique; commonly known as CGT, or "The French Line." Before the SS France, the line's flagship, the Rochambeau, had a pitiful GRT (Gross Register Tonnage) of 12,000. France also only commanded 10% of the market share of the Transatlantic trade at the turn of the century. Thus, in the early 1900's, the CGT was rapidly being outclassed, and they called in the cavalry. In 1908, the French Line would order a large, four-funneled liner, to be named "Picardie." Her keel was laid down in 1909, and she would be the pride of the French merchant fleet. Over twice the size of any French liner before her, she would have 4 screws (propellers,) and she would be the first French vessel to be powered by Parsons steam turbines, far more powerful than traditional reciprocating engines, and driving the ship at a maximum speed of 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph.) Construction of the new ship continued smoothly, although the company would change her name to "France," as the previous name did not reflect the image that CGT wanted for their new ship. She was launched on the 20th of September, 1910, and her 2-decade long career began.
Left: First Class Staircase Rotunda, Top Right: First Class Drawing Room, Bottom Right: First Class Dining Room
Versailles de l'Atlantique
Versailles of the Atlantic
Now, the SS France was not only famous for it's engineering, it was most notable for it's extremely lavish interior accommodations, first class being the most beautiful. It was very popular among rich american socialites, as well as popular figures in French society. She was also noted by many to have some of the finest cuisine offered at sea, reflecting the world-renowned flavors of traditional French food.
Her interior revival Baroque architecture was stunning, and combined with portraits of king Louis XVI, she earned the nickname "Versailles de l'Atlantique," or said in English, "Versailles of the Atlantic," as her interiors resembled the famous palace outside Paris. Her first class drawing room was breathtaking, with several small glass domes and skylights, and her first class dining room, were her famously good food was served, spanned 2 decks, open in the middle with a domed ceiling, and a staircase copied from the Hôtel de Toulouse in Paris. She had a gorgeous first class staircase rotunda, and a lovely Fist class lounge/music room, also known as the Salon Mixte, featuring yet another skylight, and pink marble columns.
The SS France wasn't just beautiful on the inside, she was also pretty on the outside. She was wonderfully proportioned, and her balanced profile could be recognized a mile way. Her CGT livery shone in the sun, and with her black hull, white superstructure, scarlet black-topped funnels, and gilded fantail, she stood out from the crowd. But her looks weren't everything, in fact, her service career m=could be considered even more remarkable.
20+ Years of Success
The SS France was a ship that had a long, successful career. She would serve the CGT for more than 2 decades, and for all of those years, she was a wonderful way to cross the Atlantic. She actually had a second nickname: "The French Olympic," as she somewhat resembled the British liner, and her long successful career reflected that of the RMS Olympic. She was launched into the Loire river, on the 20 of September, 1910. She began her maiden voyage on the 20th of April, 1912, at a rather bad time; only five days after the sinking of Titanic.
because of the disaster, her popularity was hurt drastically, but she quickly regained her status as a safe, luxurious way to travel. She was immediately successful, and CGT became a well-known line to cross with, though she was plagued by bad vibration, and tended to roll even in flat seas. After her first few crossings she was withdrawn from service, and sent to Harland & Wolff shipyard, where adjustments were carried out. Her propellers were replaced, and larger bilge keels were fitted to solve the issues previously mentioned. These improvement would increase her comfort, but actually improve her speed as well. She would continue to make successful crossings, until the outbreak of WWI. The SS France was requisitioned by the French Navy, to become an armed merchant cruiser, renamed to France IV. She, and many other liners, were unfit for this role however, as many countries participating in the war would find out, and she soon became a troop transport.
During her Wartime career she would collide with the HMS Eden, a British destroyer, and sink her. Then, in late 1916 she was reconfigured as a hospital ship. Her military service was ended abruptly by an explosion in her engine room, killing 9 of her crew. After the war the SS France was tired, and sent in for refurbishment.
A Postcard depicting the SS France
SS France and the Great Depression
Shortly after the ending of the war, she was superseded as France's flagship by the SS Paris. Later in the decade she was converted to an all first-class configuration. With the introduction of the Île de France, she was devoted almost entirely to cruising. But the great depression would be the death of SS France. Her affluent passenger following was destroyed financially, as all of the shipping lines were hit hard by the downturn in business. She continued to sit idle, until she was laid up in Le Havre. Later, a fire broke out on board, damaging her, and by now she was old, and outclassed. CGT finally decided it was high time to retire the 21 year-old lady, and she was sent the ship-breakers at Dunkirk.
The SS France was a beautiful ship, inside and out, and her introduction would be a massive step forward for France. Even though she was half the size of the newest British liners, she was the country's first venture into operating a large commercial vessel. Her success would inspire the line to build even bigger liners, leading all the way up to the SS Normandie. France would rise to the top of the Transatlantic trade in 2 decades, while the once great White star line foundered financially. The CGT would become a huge source of French national pride in the coming years, and it all started with the somewhat modest, yet extraordinary, SS France.
A cutaway of SS France showing her interior
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