The Liner 'The Normandie' arrives at Plymouth, 12 June 1935

From the collection of

The Box
Established in 1992, the South West Film & Television Archive collection spans from 1893 to the present day containing more than 250,000 items. Formed from a variety of depositors, including broadcast news and programmes material from the Westward and TSW archive. In 2018 the archive collection transferred to The Box in Plymouth.

The Liner 'The Normandie' arrives at Plymouth, 12 June 1935


The 'Normandie' brings Disney to Plymouth

The ocean liner SS 'Normandie' owned by Compagnie Generale Transatlantique arrives in Plymouth on 12 June 1935 carrying Disney founder and creator, Walt Disney and actor Richard Dix. The maiden voyage on 29 May from Le Havre in France to New York takes four days and the return journey to Plymouth, nine days, under the command of Master Captain Rene Pugnet. Designed by Vladimir Yourkevitch, the Normandie is the world's largest and fastest passenger liner of its day.

In January 1942 the US War department requisition the Normandie ocean-going liner. Whilst loading with supplies a welder's mistake set off a fire which spread throughout the ship leading to it turning on its side and sink. Too costly to repair or convert into an aircraft carrier the Normandie was scrapped in 1946-47.


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