SS Île De France Archival Collection
The SS Ile de France of the CGT-French Line. Mail Liners of the World, 1937. GGA Image ID # 11a53a73fe
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- Ile de France (1926) French Line
- Passenger Lists
- Brochures
- Deck Plans
- Programs
- Menus
- Other Ephemera
- Photographs
- Sailing Schedules
- Cap Tally (Cap Ribbons)
- Books
- Launching of the Ile de France at St Nazaire, 14 March 1926
- The SS Ile de France - A Brief History
Ile de France (1926) French Line
Built by Chantiers de Penhoet, St. Nazaire, France. Tonnage: 43,153. Dimensions: 763' x 92' (791' o.l.). Quadruple- screw, 24 knots. Steam turbines. Two masts and three funnels. Launched: March 14, 1926. Passengers: 670 first, 408 second, 508 third. Maiden voyage: Havre-Plymouth- New York, June 22, 1927. Remarks: Always a very popular liner. Her grand foyer was four decks high. Modifications: After World War II was thoroughly reconditioned for trans-Atlantic service. Converted to two funnels. Accommodation altered to 448 first, 546 cabin, 268 tourist. Re-entered service in July 1949. Fate: Sold to Japanese shipbreakers late in 1958. Sailed from Havre for Osaka, February 26,1959, under name of Furanzu Maru.
Ile de France, Rue de la Paix of the Atlantic, 45,330 Gross Tons. Shown with Post World War II Modifications. SS Ile de France Cabin Class Deck Plan, 1951. GGA Image ID # 11b1cb1875
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Passenger Lists
1937-04-15 SS Ile De France Passenger List
Good Will Tour Passenger List for the SS Ile de France of the French Line, Departing 15 April 1937 from Le Havre for New York via Southampton, Commanded by Captain Jules Chabot.
1939-07-15 SS Ile De France Passenger List
Tourist Passenger List for the SS Ile de France of the CGT French Line, Departing 15 July 1939 from Le Havre to New York via Southampton, Commanded by Captain Albert Fontaine. Récapitulation: 97 Cabin Class, 535 Tourist Class, 324 Third Class, 956 Total Passengers, 798 Officers, Staff, and Crew, 1,754 Total On Board.
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Brochures
Third Class on the French Line - 1938
The Normandie, Ile de France, Paris, Champlain and Lafayette combine economy and efficiency in fulfilling the most discriminating requirements. Their Third Class accommodations cannot help but bring you all satisfaction.
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Deck Plans
French Line SS Ile de France Cabin Class Deck Plan - 1951
Illustrated brochure from 1951 provides colorful deck plans for areas occupied by cabin-class passengers and numerous interior and exterior photographs of the SS Ile de France of the CGT French Line.
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Programs
1931-02-22 Charity Gala Program - CGT French Line
Program of the Charity Fete to be held on board the SS Ile de France for the benefit of the Several Benevolent Institutions of which the CGT French Line is a patron.
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Menus
1935-08-22 SS Ile de France Luncheon Menu
Vintage Luncheon Bill of Fare from 22 August 1935 on board the SS Ile de France of the CGT French Line featured Stewed Chicken Chasseur, Broiled Mutton Chop, and Chocolate, Lemon Ice Cream for dessert. Featured wine was Vin Rouge et Vin Blanc des Caves de la Compagnie Générale Transatlantique.
1949-10 SS Ile de France Breakfast Menu
Vintage Breakfast Menu from October 1949 on board the SS Ile de France of the CGT French Line featured Broiled Kipper à l'Anglaise, Omelet - with Cheese - à l'Espagnole with Chicken Liver, and Poached Haddock Brown Butter.
1949-10-04 SS Ile de France Large Format Luncheon Menu
Vintage Large Format Luncheon Menu from 4 October 1949 on board the SS Ile de France of the CGT French Line featured Loin of Veal en Casserole Niçoise, Lamb Kidneys with Chipolatas, and Mille Feuilles for dessert.
1949-10-04 SS Ile de France Large Format Dinner Menu
Vintage Large Format Dinner Menu from 4 October 1949 on board the SS Ile de France of the CGT French Line featured Poached Chicken à la Lyonnaise, Roast Sirloin Steak a la Broche, and Alhambra Ice Cream for dessert.
1949-10-05 SS Ile de France Large Format Dinner Menu
Vintage Large Format Dinner Menu from 5 October 1949 on board the SS Ile de France of the CGT French Line featured Young Turkey with Chestnuts à la Dauphinoise, Supreme of Brill Boulonnaise, and Iced Petits Fours "Isle-de-France" for dessert.
1949-10-06 SS Ile de France Large Format Luncheon Menu
Vintage Large Format Luncheon Menu from 6 October 1949 on board the SS Ile de France of the CGT French Line featured Baked Saint Jacques Shellfish, Lamb Girondine, and Sables Lexoviens for dessert.
1949-10-06 SS Ile de France Large Format Dinner Menu
Vintage Large Format Dinner Menu from 6 October 1949 on board the SS Ile de France of the CGT French Line featured Brain Meunière with Caper, Broiled Mutton Chop Water Cress, and Meringues Chantilly for dessert.
1949-10-07 SS Ile de France Large Format Luncheon Menu
Vintage Large Format Luncheon Menu from 7 October 1949 on board the SS Ile de France of the CGT French Line featured Filet of Turbot St. Malo, Sauerkraut Strasbourgeoise, and Burnt Almond Duchess for dessert.
1949-10-07 SS Ile de France Large Format Dinner Menu
Vintage Large Format Dinner Menu from 7 October 1949 on board the SS Ile de France of the CGT French Line featured Veal Cutlet Poelee Bordelaise, Saumon Trout in Jelly with Chambertin Wine, and Ice Cup Eugenie for dessert.
1949-10-08 SS Ile de France Large Format Luncheon Menu
Vintage Large Format Luncheon Menu from 8 October 1949 on board the SS Ile de France of the CGT French Line featured Medallion of Wolf Fish en Fricassée, Lamb Bayaldi, and Olga Pudding for dessert.
1949-10-08 SS Ile de France Large Format Dinner Menu
Vintage Large Format Dinner Menu from 8 October 1949 on board the SS Ile de France of the CGT French Line featured Suprême of Sole "Ile-de-France", Normandy Chicken Breast, and Tray of Mignardises (Petits Fours) for dessert. Menu in French.
1949-10-09 SS Ile de France Large Format Dinner Menu
Vintage Large Format Dinner Menu from 9 October 1949 on board the SS Ile de France of the CGT French Line featured Filet Mignon of Charolais "Ile-De-France", Supreme of Turbot Trouvillaise, and Bavaroise Rothschild for dessert.
1949-10-10 SS Ile de France Large Format Luncheon Menu
Vintage Large Format Luncheon Menu from 10 October 1949 on board the SS Ile de France of the CGT French Line featured Goujeonnettes of Soles Carllier, Spring Chicken Saute Chasseur, and Gâteaux Secs for dessert.
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Other Ephemera
Information for Tourist Passengers About Medical Attention, Medical Consultations, Charges, Hours, Extra Charges, Special Rates, and Payment of the Surgeons' Bill. Included Within the 15 July 1939 Passenger List for the SS Ile de France of the French Line. GGA Image ID # 1579ac4720
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Photographs
Two-Berth Cabin with Hot and Cold Running Water. SS Ile de France. Third Class on the French Line, 1938. GGA Image ID # 11a28d0145
The Cheerful Library and Writing Room. SS Ile de France. Third Class on the French Line, 1938. GGA Image ID # 11a2979346
In This Charming Dining Room, Abundant, Varied and Delicious Foods Are Graciously Served by Trained Stewards. SS Ile de France. Third Class on the French Line, 1938. GGA Image ID # 11a2f24ad4
Passengers Playing Deck Tennis. SS Ile de France Cabin Class Deck Plan, 1951. GGA Image ID # 11b39643b6
Children's Playroom. SS Ile de France Cabin Class Deck Plan, 1951. GGA Image ID # 11b3a7e6a1
Outside Cabin for Four. SS Ile de France Cabin Class Deck Plan, 1951. GGA Image ID # 11b3b9dd11
Deck Scene - Young Couple on the Fantail. SS Ile de France Cabin Class Deck Plan, 1951. GGA Image ID # 11b3c47a66
Cabin Class Dining Room. SS Ile de France Cabin Class Deck Plan, 1951. GGA Image ID # 11b3ddd9f3
Photo Collage. Top to Bottom: Salon; Inside Cabin for Two; and, Smoking Room. SS Ile de France Cabin Class Deck Plan, 1951. GGA Image ID # 11b3eea13a
Swimming Pool. SS Ile de France Cabin Class Deck Plan, 1951. GGA Image ID # 11b40575bf
Bar of Swimming Pool. SS Ile de France Cabin Class Deck Plan, 1951. GGA Image ID # 11b410a819
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Sailing Schedules
Sailing Schedule, Le Havre-Southampton-New York and New York-Plymouth-Le Havre, from 24 July 1935 to 16 November 1935. Ships Included The Champlain, Ile de France, Lafayette, and Normandie. SS Normandie Passenger List 24 July 1935. GGA Image ID # 1f37c3f874
Sailing Schedule, Le Havre-Southampton-New York, from 7 September 1938 to 10 January 1939. Ships Included the Champlain, De Grasse, Ile de France, Normandie, and Paris. SS Normandie Passenger List, 5 October 1938. GGA Image ID # 1e31c3c00c
Sailing Schedule, Le Havre-Southampton-New York and New York-Plymouth-Le Havre, from 16 April 1954 to 7 September 1954. Ships Included the Flandre, Ile de France, and Liberté. SS Flandre Passenger List, 20 July 1954. GGA Image ID # 1f71033ddc
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Cap Tally (Cap Ribbons)
CGT French Line SS Ile de France Blue Cap Tally. GGA Image ID # 1e836b0aaa
CGT French Line SS Ile de France White Cap Tally. GGA Image ID # 1e83713f78
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Books
The Fabulous Interiors of the Great Ocean Liners - 1984
Some 200 superb photographs—in long shots and close-ups—capture exquisite interiors of world's great "floating palaces"—1890s to 1980s: Titanic, Île de France, Queen Elizabeth, United States, Europa, more. Informative captions provide key details.
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Launching of the Ile de France at St Nazaire, 14 March 1926
Her sea trials on 29 May 1927 were marred by a freak accident when the order to cast off was given prematurely, and only the Captain's brilliant seamanship averted disaster.
The Grand Salon, decorated in red lacquer with touches of gold, was illuminated by lights concealed behind the glass panes of the vast ceiling.
The First Class dining room, with its elegant but temperamental illuminated fountain, was designed by Patout and could seat seven hundred diners simultaneously.
Captain Blancart with a group of passengers on the maiden voyage to New York on 28 June 1927. Second from the right is Maurice Chevalier, with his wife and partner, Yvonne Vallée, on the Captain's left.
The seaplane piloted by Lieutenant Demougeot on 13 August 1928, carrying mail for the United States, was catapulted from the deck of the Ile when she was four hundred miles from New York, the first ship-to-shore airmail delivery.
The troopship SS Ile de France carried nearly 400,000 Allied personnel, in safety, if not in comfort, all over the world.
Some of the colorful troops were transported by the Ile during the war.
The Cabin Class Salon, designed by Le Bûcheron, contained a spectacular illuminated wrought iron and glass staircase.
To the last the Ile lived up to her name of "Rue de la Paix de l'Atlantique."
The SS Ile de France - A Brief History
The 43,153 grt, 792.9-ft., steamship Ile De France was built in 1926 by Chantiers & Ateliers de St. Nazaire for the French Line (Compagnie Générale Transatlantique). When she was launched, she was CGT's biggest ship and the sixth largest in the world.
She sailed on her maiden voyage from Havre to New York via Plymouth on June 22, 1927. In July 1928 she was fitted with a seaplane catapult. On November 8, 1940 she was requisitioned as a troopship by the Royal Navy.
She commenced her first post war commercial voyage on October 22, 1946, but from April 1947 to July 1949 was completely reconditioned and rebuilt to 44,356 tons and funnels reduced to two.
On July 26, 1956 she rescued 750 survivors from the sinking liner Andrea Doria. On November 10, 1958 she started her last voyage from New York to Plymouth and Havre and on February 26, 1959 sailed from Havre for Osaka as the Faransu Maru for scrapping.
In 1959 she was leased at $4,000 a day by a film company and renamed Claridon, amidst protest from the French public, she became the central prop of the film "The Last Voyage". A tense drama with on board explosions and a controlled sinking, later re-floated and scrapped at Osaka.
