CGT's
Paris was built by Chantiers et Ateliers de St. Nazaire. Although she was
laid down in 1913, her launching was delayed until 1916 and she was not
completed until 1921, due to World War I. When finally completed, she was
the largest liner under the French flag, at 34,560 tons.
Paris
made her maiden voyage, from Le Havre to New York, on 15 June 1921. A 1929
fire, which broke out while she was at Le Havre, ruined her passenger accommodations
and required six months of repairs. On 18 April 1939, again at Le Havre,
Paris again caught fire. This time, though, two people died and the ship's
career was ended. As a result of the amount of water pumped into her, Paris
fell on her port side, trapping Normandie in a nearby dry dock. She then
sank into the mud in her dock. After her funnels and masts were removed
so Normandie could leave dry dock, the hulk of Paris remained in place
throughout World War II. She was still there in 1946, when Liberté
(ex-NDL Europa) broke loose in a storm and sank after hitting the wreck.
Liberté was raised and eventually entered French Line service, but
Paris was dismantled on the site in 1947.
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