SKU: FRA/D

This classic collection of 16mm sound films is comprised of two documentaries featuring three famous French ocean liners, the Liberte, Ile-de-France, and superliner France.

The first program, France Afloat, offers tours of both the Liberte, formerly the German Europa, which displaced some 49,746 gross tons, and her transatlantic running mate Ile-de-France, a 44,000-ton, 791-foot-long vessel. As was typical with ocean liner promotional films of the 1950's, this black-and-white film takes the viewer on a tour of the ship to view cabin accomodations and recreational and dining facilities. Many fine views of the ships in action are also presented.

The second feature, The Building and Maiden Voyage of the SS France, has scenes showing the construction of this 1,035-foot leviathan, along with coverage of her short 1960 trial cruise to the Canary Islands with a full complement of passengers and crew. Included are poignant scenes of the France meeting the Liberte on that ship's final voyage, headed for the scrap yard.

During her sea trials, the France achieved a speed of 35.12 knots, but this was not quite fast enough to take the coveted Blue Riband trophy for fatest liner away from the legendary SS United States, which had captured the trophy with a speed of 35.59 knots on her maiden voyage from New York to England. In 1977 it was revealed that the actual top speed of the Big U was actually an incredible 38.3 knots!

The France originally displaced 66,343 tons, but this was later increased to 76,649 tons after her sale to the Norwegian Cruise Lines to become the SS Norway.