Blue Riband and the “Great Duel” of the 1930s
The Normandie and the Queen Mary defined the transatlantic crossing during the interwar period…
The interwar period was marked by the devastating effects of the Great Depression (1929–1939) and the increasing rivalry among the most powerful European nations.
Nationalism was gaining momentum and in the shipbuilding industry, this was expressed by an intense contest for capturing the Blue Riband — an unofficial accolade awarded to the liner that could cross the Atlantic Ocean the fastest. Ships that were Blue Riband holders were making great profits and publicity. It was, thus, of great importance -in terms of prestige- which country could build the fastest ships of the world.
During the interwar period, no rivalry for capturing the Blue Riband was greater than the one between the French and the British. Their ships were the biggest, fastest, and finest of the time, and their “Great Duel” defined the transatlantic crossing during the 1930s.
This is the story of their epic contest.
A French Superliner
The French line, known as the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique in an effort to suppress foreign competition (coming mainly from Germany and Italy) made plans to…
