Why are Ocean Liners so interesting?

Friday, November 28, 2008

Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, ou, the French Line


CIE. GLE. TRANSATLANTIQUE, CGT, or The French Line for short.

This, obviously, French line has exceeded in creating some of the most famous, noteworthy ocean liners in the world. Established in 1855 at the initiative of the Pereire brothers, Emile and Isaac, it expanded over time with some of the most innovative ocean liners the world has ever seen.

Le Havre was the lines main port of call for all of its career, via Brest, Cherbourg, and Saint-Nazaire (where many of the ships were built, rennovated, ext.). A great many liners made their way in and out of this harbor, with the famous Ile De France of 1927, and the favourited Normandie of 1935.

One of the great last ocean liners France of 1962 was perhaps the lines last vessles. Because of air traffic, however, the ship had to be dicomissioned in 1974 (bought by NCL: Norwegian Cruise Line in 1979 and transformed into the Norway up till 2003).

The line merged with Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes in 1977 to become Compagnie Générale Maritime. Converted into a container shipping company, it has prospered in carrying supplies across the 7 seas, to and form such ports as Los Angeles/San Pedro, and such countries as China, Japan, Russia, Mexico, Canada, and many more.


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