How Queen Mary Beat France's Superliner Normandie - The Epic True Story

[@OceanlinerDesigns]

DID YOU ENJOY THIS VIDEO? :) Why not support my work on Patreon at; www.patreon.com/oceanlinerdesigns OR join as a KZbin member for cool badges and emojis!; kzbin.info/door/sE8PTncfn2Vga48jH46HnQjoin Supporters on Patreon and KZbin enjoy perks like early access and behind the scenes and bloopers! ▶MORE OCEANLINER DESIGNS; Were People Trapped Inside the Titanic When it Sank?: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYKzhq2Oa6-Gerc 5 Ship Design Fails: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6Suf4p7qNJnqJo How Did They Steer the Titanic?: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYvIXpiuqpeFeLc

[@geemonster9179]

I like your channel's content

[@IDSvk]

This video was more than satisfactory:)

[@Stormiie195]

Me too

[@paulaharrisbaca4851]

Boy, there's no question that Russian engineers are clever. So are the Germans, and the British of course. It is interesting how at one point in history the French, Spanish and Italians did the most innovative way of building ships or cars or, well, any engineering involved in shipping. I don't know why so many people today criticize the Europeans and the British and the Americans constantly criticize this technology as terrible and about exploiting other types of people. Now the elites simply want to trash everything that men of European background every created. Maybe we are doomed as a people. I hope not. I think men and women should see themselves as part of the human species instead of women attacking....oh hell, this is irrelevant. The West seems to be attacking ourselves for some weird reasons.

[@TheLuisg92]

What a masterpiece the Normandie was, not just the engineering, but the overall shape as well.

[@vasek987]

Especially when there is photo of Normandie, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth next to each other and both "Queens" seemed like 30 years older ships...

[@rokas-d8o]

@@vasek987 and the mauretania II

[@maxs.3238]

@default if were talking about the same picture then you're thinking of the Aquitania that was docked next to all them youngins in New York 😅

[@oddish4352]

The Normandie went through the water like a katana blade. The Queen Mary plowed through it like a mace. It just had a lot more horses behind it. When they finally blended Normandie level efficiency with Queen Mary level brute power, the result was the United States, the last holder of the Blue Riband.

[@syncmonism]

Being faster with less engine power is impressive. The bulbous bow design was key, though perhaps not the only advantage. I assume it would have been even faster if they had chosen to use American or British turbines in it.

[@monsieurcommissaire1628]

Normandie was the most magnificent passenger ship ever built. Her loss was a tragedy for all of us. The World lost some of it's enchantment that day. Thank God we still have Queen Mary, though she would most likely be happier if her worthy rival were still with us. They were competitors, for sure, but there was great mutual respect. They made each other better, and the passengers were the ultimate winners.

[@goawayleavemealone2880]

Watching the video I just get the sense that trading off who held The Blue Ribband was just fun for everybody involved. They clearly all enjoyed figuring out how to improve, so sad the war brought such a delightful rivalry to an end.

[@beachbum4691]

From a multitude of perspectives a work of art, engineering, on-board artworks, catering, the list goes on and on. The Normandie was the ship that should have been preserved at Long Beach................

[@monsieurcommissaire1628]

@@goawayleavemealone2880 - Yes, you see it, too. There was no bitterness in their rivalry. How amazing it would be to experience even one day aboard either of them in their prime!

[@SA4LIFE]

For me the most beautiful ship that was constructed was Rms Olympic

[@soldier3157]

​@@SA4LIFE 👍

[@BLWorks1982]

Normandie is the one liner I wish a large scale model was available for.

[@linersworld]

Have you considered 3D printing? kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZyrlHeVhJhmgpI

[@supertoasting1011]

There is a fairly large scale model of her actually inside of the Queen Mary along with Titanic and Lusitania models. All made in a priests spare time. I'm not sure if they are still there at the moment but they were before covid. They are also cut out models so you can see a detailed side view of the interior.

[@TheTransatlanticExchange]

Thank you for sharing that. Father Pirrone is a Catholic priest who spent years putting together cutaway models of Titanic, Lusitania and Normandie. They are absolutely gorgeous and he painstakingly recreated both the exterior on one side of the model, and the interiors right down to the engines, uptakes, interior spaces and decor on the other. Most remarkably, his level of detail goes down to the individual furniture pieces in staterooms and dining room spaces to the drapes. Using a paint chip from one of the Mauritania’s funnels, he used that to even get the paint colour accurate for his model of Lusitania. These models are truly fabulous re-creations that are a must-see during a visit to RMS Queen Mary. They are located on the starboard promenade deck and each range from approximately 18-23 feet in length.

[@ronjones1077]

I have a small scale collectable model of Normandie, United States and a few others.

[@kineuhansen8629]

@@ronjones1077 i just would love a model of queen mary in a large scale perhaps a 3d model same with normandie and titanic

[@ronalddevine9587]

As a young boy, my British born father decided to pack us in the car for a 2 hour drive to New York. The Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth were docked together. Mike, you always do great informative videos. Poor Normandy.

[@TheSudrianTerrier653]

It’s spelt Normandie

[@ronalddevine9587]

@@TheSudrianTerrier653 Please do forgive me.

[@TheSudrianTerrier653]

@@ronalddevine9587 it’s ok, everyone makes mistakes

[@ronalddevine9587]

@@TheSudrianTerrier653 As you did, the word is SPELLED

[@TheSudrianTerrier653]

@@ronalddevine9587 yeah , like I said *everyone* makes mistakes

[@patrickryan6065]

Truly, there has never been a more beautiful ship ever made than Normandie. Her lines were simple yet stunning.

[@davidnoelfranks1124]

Normandie made the Queens look like Tug boats !!

[@Light_Within]

Sorry but the Olympic class still holds the inner and external beauty record in my opinion and It's fair that many people differ in opinions 😁

[@beachbum4691]

@@davidnoelfranks1124 (you weren't supposed to notice that Normandy made all other ships look like tugboats) ;)

[@bypmg]

France was even more beautiful than Normandie!

[@patrickryan6065]

@@davidnoelfranks1124 I tend to agree David. It was said that Vladimir Yorkevitch (the designer of the Normandie) approached Cunard to design the ship, especially the turbo / electric drive train, and was turned away. His hull design if applied to the Queens may have resulted in many more knots, for no extra cost in fuel.

[@trr9230]

The Normandie was perhaps the prettiest ship ever built. What a loss.

[@ThinkingFingers]

The Normandie is absolutely gorgeous.

[@Doncroft1]

I love the design of the Normandie. It's so unfair how short her career was.

[@PB-Trinity]

As a French dude and Art Deco aficionado, I forever consider Normandie as the best ship ever built.

[@nmccw3245]

As an American dude and Art Deco aficionado, I agree with you.

[@goawayleavemealone2880]

My design sensibilities are very firmly embedded in Art Nouveau, but I have to agree that Normandie is an absolute masterpiece. If it matters I'm from Northern Ireland.

[@renesagahon4477]

Hands down I agree. Though the queen Mary is beautiful too

[@TM_2024GO]

Normandie’s style was just incredible. But I still find that Queen Mary has a problem with her exterior design…

[@deadspyder]

I'm American I don't like art deco and I grew up in Long Beach right across from the Queen Mary yet still I must say Normandie was the most beautiful ship ever.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

The sad thing about the Normandie fire is Vladimir Yourkevitch, who knew more about her than anyone, was IN New York when the fire occured! He tried to get to the ship to assist but couldn't get past the police barricades. Understandable in a way, the cops had no way of knowing who he was, or the US Navy personnel on site either for that matter. What a shame. The whole Normandie fire was a fiasco from the start, too much to go into here. Another good one Mike! Thanks!

[@quillmaurer6563]

Even if he could have gotten there, I doubt there's much he could have done to save his masterpiece. Still must have been very hard on him, like watching a child die.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

@@quillmaurer6563 Well, he certainly would have suggested they open the hatches in the side of the hull so all that water the FDNY was pouring in had somewhere to go! All that topweight from the water is what eventually caused the capsize. I'm not blaming the fire department, they were doing what they were supposed to do, put water on the fire. But somebody involved with the ship itself should have realized those hatches had to be opened.

[@quillmaurer6563]

@@wayneantoniazzi2706 The question is if the hatches could be opened safely, I'd assume they'd need to be accessed from inside the ship - which is on fire.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

@@quillmaurer6563 From what I've read (obviously I wasn't there) it was possible to open the hatches, the fire was in the superstructure area and the lower parts of the ship were acessable.

[@theontologist]

Yourkevitch's objective was to open the ship's seacock valves, and cause the ship to settle downward on an even keel. The objective was not to let water out, but to make the ship bottom-heavy and stop it from tipping over. Alternatively, since the fire was only affecting the ship's upper decks, fire crews could have chosen not to spray water on the ship, and instead let the fire burn out.

[@alaricboyle-poirier6931]

You can always trust the French to build excellent and beautiful ships, from ocean liners to warships. Great video as always.

[@delta2372]

It's actually quite a surprise to learn that the french themselves are quite the maratimers.

[@peterlbaldwin511]

As an English fan of the great liners, I have to say that for me the "NORMANDIE", was the epitome of the Transatlantic liners.. Grace, elegance and performance which the Queen Mary could only beat by sheer "Brute force" and of course was also notoriously known as, "Rolling Mary". As an aside one of my favourite stories about the "Q.M" is that Cunard directors had orginally intended to call her "Queen Victoria". They met with King George V and broached the subject apparently saying, "Your Majesty...It is our wish to name our new vessel after England's greatest queen...". But before they could add the name "Victoria"., the king promptly interjected saying, "Thank you, I am sure that my wife will be delighted to have your new ship named after her.."!. The die was cast and she became, "R.M.S. Queen Mary" and passed into legend..

[@motherlessgoat72]

Oh my God. This is the most beautiful ship I have ever seen. I had to pause the video over and over again just to take her in. Her beauty is overwhelming 😍

[@Enphoso1410]

The exterior of the Normandie looked ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!

[@phillipphil1615]

The only current liner, the queen Mary 2, was built in France in the same shipyard that built the Normandie. Les Chantiers de l'Atlantique, in saint Nazaire.

[@livethefuture2492]

Is it the same dock blown up by the British in "The greatest raid of all time?"

[@The_Real_Albert_I]

@@livethefuture2492 I thought the greatest raid of all tiem was Zeebrugge

[@cadicorniche]

There will NEVER be a ship as classically beautiful as the Normandie.

[@desireehelms8012]

We need to bring her back with some new tech solar tech from Tesla they have great new Solar power and natural gas steam Engines would do good to replace diesel because of pollution we should re invent the steam engine

[@brycetomecek5065]

As a lifelong ocean liner enthusiast, your videos never fail to be a highlight of my week.

[@tinymetaltrees]

“like a knife through hot butter,” 😂 I might use that.

[@Graham-ce2yk]

Thanks for covering this, the Trans-Atlantic speed race definitely made it's way into pop culture. The Paramount Pictures musical comedy film 'The Big Broadcast of 1938', features a head to head clash between a Bel Geddes streamlined design ('SS Gigantic') and something that's clearly a fictional version of the Normandie ('SS Colossal'), there's a wonderful blog called 'Model Ships In The Cinema' that features these ships and a number of other fictional liners including the time 20th Century turned a model of the Titanic into an erzatz Queen Mary for 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes'...

[@scottread]

Nice work Mike. BTW, the hull design for Normandie was actually offered to Cunard before CGT. Apparently the design didn't go down well with Cunard's more traditional naval architects. Frank O'Braynard discusses this in Picture History of the Normandie.

[@42lookc]

In my humble opinion, the truest glory days of transatlantic crossings died with the Normandie. What an unforgiveable, blundering end for such a grand queen. So much hope, imagination, effort, and expense only to end up a capsized smoldering wreck thousands of miles away from home. I wish the Normandie not only survived WWII, but survived to this day. It was the greatest ocean liner and greatest ocean liner loss of all time.

[@XmalD73]

Two amazing liners! What a post-war rivalry they might have had - makes you wonder if Normandie had won the Blue Riband back, if Cunard might have pushed QE to record-breaking voyage? The Normandie's wartime loss in American hands is for me, the most heartbreaking loss of a great ship during war.

[@BigAmp]

I believe Normandie still had lots to offer but so did QM. Don't think QE was a threat as same power as QM but less steam generation capacity so don't think she would be quite as fast flat out.

[@ronjones1077]

QE was only about 1~2 knots slower than QM but was more economical to operate. The Normandy was the most cost effective to run of the three.

[@austinreed5805]

It’s sad to see what happened to the Normandie. The two ships would’ve still been intact to this day if the ship hadn’t burned and capsized.

[@dec_the]

No, Normandie would’ve most likely either been sunk during the later part of ww2 or scrapped

[@technicaldamage146]

@nothing. Doubt the Normandie would ever be a Carrier its much of an task and takes alot of time ti refurbish her and cut and add Additional decks and machinery She'd remain as a Troopship for the entirety of the war but most likely she wont be lost as her speed would be outmatched by most submarines possibly her only threat is her size which tower and her width make her visible by air She would have been an Target for Bombers

[@TM_2024GO]

They chose not to convert it into an aircraft carrier. But it’s a shame what happened to her. Honestly, it is my favourite ship after the titanic.

[@theontologist]

Normandie's sister ship Ile de France was equally beautiful and more commercially successful. It was scrapped. Normandie's mighty German rival, the SS Bremen, was destroyed during the war by saboteurs. Italy's magnificent SS Rex was bombed and sunk by the Allies. If Normandie had survived the war, it would have been renovated to be less luxurious in first class (where people complained that the ship was excruciatingly formal) and more pleasant in second and tourist classes (where passengers felt embarrassed and neglected). After the rise of commercial aviation, Normandie would have competed with the Queen Mary and SS United States, both of which have fared poorly in preservation efforts. In today's economy, it is only *barely* possible for *one* liner from the pre-war era to be commercially viable.

[@TM_2024GO]

@CHLEID REID Logroño we know that

[@PRR5406]

I saw the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth in New York. They were truly beautiful and huge. I will have to defer to the Normandie, which undoubtedly, was the most beautiful and elegant passenger ship ever constructed. Her fire was probably the worst commercial loss of World War 2.

[@EthanCollier01]

Normandie has always been a favorite of mine. The graceful, sweeping lines of her bow always made it look like she was powerfully charging ahead!

[@MrsBettyBowers]

The Normandie was in a class all its own. One of my favorite design features was they ran the exhaust from the engine room up the funnels around the sides of the ship instead of straight up. That allowed for enormous public rooms in the center of the ship that were unobstructed.

[@pre-gohfan]

Normandie is the best ship ever built have you seen the interiors! There amazing I can't imagine how they built that!

[@georgec2126]

29.5 knots average? Ye Gods! That's going some for a piece of metal that large. All credit to the designers of the hull AND the turbines. 👌🇫🇷

[@221b-l3t]

It's kind of unimaginable. The wind at those speeds on deck and the feeling of 80000 t flying through the ocean at 60 kph. Of course the United States beats this approaching 40 knots though she had more power than either the Queen or Normandie at just over half the displacement so it's still impressive what the 10 year older megaliners managed from the French and Brits.

[@StansGrandson]

Laying in bed struggling to sleep here in Gippsland, and a notification for this pops up, absolutely perfect timing Mr. Brady! This Liner rivalry has always been one of My favorites, very interested to see What You have to say, and as always; absolutely stunning animation work my friend.

[@OceanlinerDesigns]

Hooray for good timing! Enjoy :)

[@StansGrandson]

@@OceanlinerDesigns As always, spectacular content! I don't think I shall ever view footage of Normandie's fateful fire without feeling a little choked up about it, and seeing even just a few seconds of this footage having colourization added, really takes it to a whole new level. As previously mentioned, Your animation work is incredible and I found myself rewinding a few times to really take in the sunset/evening shots of Noramandie lit up in all Her glory. I'm on track to becoming a Patreon Subsciber, believe Me. Take Care and Stay Safe my friend.

[@gaemlinsidoharthi]

Good idea. Next time I am lying in bed here in the badlands of Sydney’s west, struggling to sleep, which happens quite often, I think I will try following your lead, laying aside the turmoil in my head, and watching a couple of these wonderful videos from what is swiftly becoming one of my favourite channels too. (Sorry for replying to a 5 month old comment. It just caught my attention.)

[@Nosferatus29]

Normandie was undoubtedly the most beautiful liner of all time !

[@NonsensicalNauticalRambings]

I’m assuming this is talking about QM’s speed, but if it’s about her exterior and interior, I’m gonna have to disagree. Normandie is so much more appealing in her decorating, and while I like QM, she doesn’t compare to Normandie in those regards.

[@randomrazr]

think queen elizabeth would have beaten queen marys speed if she was put full throttle?

[@mixalism1318]

@@randomrazr sadly, no. Liz wasn't engineered to ever beat Mary, just keep pace.

[@NetanelWorthy]

Ever since stepping foot on this ship, and staying there quite a few times overnight, she is truly a sight to behold. Great to see that’s rivalry explained.

[@TheTransatlanticExchange]

Outstanding, poignant and extremely well researched vignette of the greatest transatlantic dual during the height of the North Atlantic ocean liner age. Thank you for sharing the story of these beloved ships. SS Normandie represented the pinnacle of ocean liner design. Gorgeous, cutting edge in her dimensions, engineering, architecture and Art Deco interiors, she never had a chance to fully prove herself. In hindsight and with that short tenure being the only means of reference, Normandie may have lacked some practicality and remains sadly forgotten by many. More pragmatic, yet somewhat dated by comparison, RMS Queen Mary had the luxury of a much longer service life, distinguished wartime record, possession of the Blue Riband, and long-time preservation that sealed her legacy in the annals of maritime history. While her future is tenuous, given negligent management and preservation practices, Queen Mary is the lone maritime ambassador and sole survivor of not just this great rivalry, but of an entire era of ocean travel.

[@paulheenan9098]

Interesting thing was that Yourkevitch had actually approached Cunard in the late 20s with his hull design for use on what would eventually become Queen Mary, but the staunchly traditionalist company rejected it for being too radical. Losing Normandie was said to be a heartbreaking blow to Yourkevitch, who submitted many desperate, yet impractical proposals to save her burnt out hulk from the scrapyard. (He went as far as suggesting cutting out the damaged sections of her hull and rebuilding her as a smaller ship)

[@merafirewing6591]

Damn, I feel sorry for the guy. If only Roosevelt has considered about giving the Normadie a second chance at life, and Yourkevitch is the only designer who know her inside and out and I can bet the superstructure would've been rebuilt and she would still be very useful.

[@erikdevereux4997]

Sometime in the late 1990s I attended a gala at the Carnegie Muesum in Pittsburgh to celebrate the acquisition of the magnificent art deco dining room doors from the Normandie. As I recall, the doors had been removed before the fire destroyed the ship. The loss of the Normandie that way was one of the saddest events in the history of ocean liners. Thank you Mike Brady for telling this compelling history of the transatlantic rivalry. The real epilogue is the story of S.S. United States crushing the record and now sitting as a rusting hulk in Philadelphia.

[@vernonlemoignan1392]

Both incredible accomplishments. Just like London and Paris. London and the Queen Mary being an historical powerhouse but reserved and practical. Compared to the elegance and innovation of the Normandie and Paris. Two powerful, highly influential cities who’s personality’s were so accurately reflected in these two ships.

[@ericgeorge5483]

Fantastic upload, absolutely fascinating. Normandie was lovely but the Queen Mary survives today as one of the most beloved liners of all time.

[@Our__Earth]

Thanks for this. The Aquitania is still my favorite ocean liner. The Isle de France second. I’ve been on the queen Mary a few times in California and it’s pretty amazing to think that 100 years ago. Such a thing could’ve been built.

[@RobbyHouseIV]

There never will be a more beautiful ship than that of the SS Normandie.

[@Mr_Maritime]

No matter which you like more we can all agree that they were both still amazing ships! BTW My personal favorite is the Queen Mary

[@NonsensicalNauticalRambings]

Yes, 100%. Each In their own ways, but both definitely deserve to be remembered.

[@StansGrandson]

Both Stunning, Powerful and Impressive Queens in their own right.

[@AviatorsTandR]

Yes, the Queen Mary will always be my favorite!

[@peabody3000]

there's something about the queen mary.. for me easily the most beautiful ship, so stately and refined in design and proportion. i've been aboard her and all over her in long beach. really wish normandie was around to compare

[@Mr_Maritime]

@@peabody3000 The loss of the Normandie was a tragedy. It was so innovative and just a great ship in general. It’s sleek design could have worked well if refined to be a modern cruise ship. R.I.P. Normandie.

[@StansGrandson]

Both Stunning, Powerful and Impressive Queens in their own right. I've always adored both of these Mighty Liners. Normandie for her chic, elegant design. But one can't help but feel a little giddy inside when You see footage or images of Mary's bow wave & wake as She absolutely ploughed through the waves!

[@jah2724]

Thank you for providing such a clear description of technical details that are understandable to non-experts like me. Your videos are always well crafted and enjoyable. Nice job once again!

[@gazloading]

I really enjoy your voice, accent and videos. I've never picked up an error in you commentary until now. At 0'25" I think you meant to say "like a hot knife through butter" not "like a knife through hot butter" looking forward to your next video!

[@flyingbeep]

Hot-rodding ocean liners for extra speed. I love it!

[@221b-l3t]

Well they always did that, almost all liners became faster. Oil fired Olympic once reached 24.2 knots. Just a knot or so shy off the Lusitania. The screws also had a huge impact like we see in this videos so "simply" changing the geometry of the propellers could significantly increase speed and reduce cavitation and vibration (Lusitania vibrated heavily with her early prop designs). It's no good to have the most power if the props are inefficient in transferring power into the water.

[@michaelhardiman7482]

Been enjoying your terrific videos. I've got two (2) oceanliner experiences to relate: 1967, aboard the SS France (I was 9 y.o.) we departed NYC sometime in the summer (my dad, stepmom, and my young cousin Ginger) and made our way to Le Harve but it might have been Southampton. After visiting London, Paris and Limerick, Ireland, we returned by plane. I have photos that I took of the bow of the France with a little Kodak Instamatic camera. I remember running amok around the ship and the fact that we had a butler named Claude.Then in 2004, after living in London for 6 years, my girlfriend and I return to the US aboard the QE2, on what I understand was the last transatlantic crossing for that ship on Dec 15 (or thereabouts)- a wonderful experience!

[@rafidkarim4061]

Two giants of the ocean and two gorgeous ships

[@sahhaf1234]

I'm somewhat surprised that you havent made a more detailed video on Normandie, esp. its revolutionary hull design. For example, lines of queen mary and normandie may be put on each other and compared.

[@jacobhydes2653]

"...like a knife through hot butter." 0:23 Erm... :P Another great video :)

[@ianmc87]

The Normandie was an absolutely beautiful ship.

[@junovzla]

I gotta say Normandie is my favorite of the two.

[@gaemlinsidoharthi]

Loving your fantastic videos. Pretty sure it’s “A hot knife through butter” though.

[@pennylane5652]

Another amazing video! I love the QM / Normandie rivalry story.

[@C.Abbenfield]

just amazingly high quality here. thank you so much for your hard work!

[@Sarasdad91]

Really enjoyed this video, thank you Mr. Brady. I once read that the architect of the Normandy was in New York harbor at the time the Normandy caught fire and advised the New York fire department how to save her from listing, but the New York fire department would not listen to him. Must have been sad for him to watch that beautiful ship he designed go to waste.

[@volpixrossi3589]

I honestly prefer the Normandie over the Queens. Normandie looks really modern and sleek while Queen Mary for example, looks like an upscaled Aquitania.

[@davifariatertuliano]

Well I would say a upscaled Berengaria/Imperator, since I believe they took insperation from this ship

[@ronjones1077]

Very well presented sir! All of the above mentioned ships were very special in their own way. Normandie is just so unique in so many ways and much more advanced in engineering, interior, and exterior design. I’ve been on the Queen Mary twice in Long Beach and stayed the night as well. If health and finances allow I’d love to do it again. Even in both of their hey days I would have been tourist class at best. Crossing on any of these great ships would have been and experience to remember. Now we need to save the SS United States. Not because of style but because of mold breaking design and engineering. Never the largest so she could transits the Panama Canal. Hear interiors from the 50’s is cold looking as compared to the warm “ship of woods” on the Mary. But, no other liner close to her size before or since could beat her speed. She could compete with todays cruise ships speeds of 20 or so knots in reverse!

[@MrNethianrogga]

I swear, I could listen to your voice all day long. Great videos!

[@OldShippinglines]

whan an amazing vid once again mike well done

[@danielolson2857]

This is an awesome video Mike, any plans for featuring Bremen and Europa? Virtually no one has done a comprehensive video on these amazing vessels. Love your content, keep it up.

[@janisi9262]

"How Queen Mary Beat France's Superliner Normandie." Well, the Queen Mary didn't immolate, so that's one way she beat the Normandie. The Queen Mary still exists and that's definitely a victory.

[@JohnsRandomVideos]

Cunard also remembered that second and third class passengers are just as important, if not more, for generating revenue as first class passengers and built nice accommodations for all classes (for the time period).

[@themessaroundsband]

Wow! The ships are beautiful Mike. Well done.

[@justinrovers1]

Amazing quality, so much talent!

[@andy99ish]

French modernism vs. British empiricism. Duelled in a chivalrous and elegant way.

[@maximef4036]

Imagine how the world would look today if UK and France united instead of fighting each other...

[@Techgnome21]

What a tragic loss of such innovative ship, R.i.P Normandie.

[@gc7820]

CGT: let’s apply technology and science to produce Normandy, the most modern, luxurious and fastest liner ever seen. Cunard: Queen Mary is already outdated in both hull design and decor but sod it, let’s just use brute force and ignorance

[@davifariatertuliano]

Yeah this adds more reason why to hate the QM, because unpopular opinion she's my least favorite oceanliner

[@sc1338]

That’s a little harsh, there’s something awesome about brute force. Forcing its way to the top. Obviously the Normandie interior is really the best ever though

[@eugeneviollet-le-duc5971]

Le Normandie…

[@Alex87826]

Keep em coming mate, always a must watch on my feed.

[@nboceanlinerhistory]

Bravo 👏 Another marvelous video by Mike. Keep up the great work. I was anticipating this video for a while now😂

[@n00btub3r2012]

(0:54) RMS Majestic cameo

[@kasvinimuniandy4178]

Pretty sad what happened to the Normandie.. Sounded like a beautiful ship...

[@nicholasavasthi9879]

Nice to see that France and Britain were learning healthier ways to manage their rivalry.

[@maximef4036]

Same happened with World Fairs. This is, to me, a very golden age : expressing your superiority by working on yourself, by designing and building, and not against others, through destruction and chaos. What a pity that spiky helmets didn't speak that first language...

[@edjopago1]

Great video.....I enjoyed all the photos and technical data!!!! Thanks Mike!

[@JackieLanceTenor]

It's wild that the Normandie was launched before the QM. I've always thought the Normandie looked more modern and progressive compared to the QM and QE1.

[@unclejim3536]

Normandie has picture come to life

[@happyslappy5203]

Fun fact: the world’s biggest Atlantic liner Queen Mary 2 was built by French shipbuilder at St Nazaire, 2003... And on 20 August 2021 French shipbuilder at St Nazaire launched the world’s biggest cruise ship ‘Wonder of the Seas' (362m long, 66m wide, 230,000 tons). Previous World record: 'Symphony of the Seas' launched by same French shipbuilder in 2018. And 'Harmony of the Seas' launched in 2016...

[@justinrovers1]

Amazing Quality as always! But i do believe its a hot knife through butter.. not the other way around. :) silly Australian.. love a Canadian!

[@SaturnCanuck]

Thanks Mike. A nice history. Of course I've boon on Queen Mary at Long Beach. The true tragedy of Normandie was her hulk lay capsized for years in the harbour.

[@TheHylianBatman]

A nice little video. I always liked Normandie, but I feel like most people don't. This video made me feel like it was okay. Thanks, Mike.

[@user-cg2hd7xq8z]

Absolutely enjoyed this video. Top three for sure. Thank you Mr. Brady.

[@harryroberts2875]

Love this great job lad. I must ask though not sure if you have already,(don’t think you have)but could you please do a what if the RMMV Oceanic was built. Similar to the what if the Britannia hadn’t sunk video. I’ve always had a fascination with the Unbuilt flagship of the White Star Line. I would highly Appreciate this.(:

[@merafirewing6591]

For sure, I wouldn't mind such a video.

[@SolarLine1901]

Woohoo! Im early! Great vid btw. Facinating to see more about the Super Liners of the past like Queen Mary and Normandie

[@JeiHS]

no other human can beat how good his french, german and english pronounciation is

[@mixalism1318]

Aquitania's plan, Mauretania's look and speed with a dash of Berengaria in her profile and luxury feautures all through a Art Deco lens made Mary the ship she was. Normandie was a revolutionary engineering exercise (with some influence of the Bremen and Europa) with L'Atlantique's interiors. Both wonderful ships, but Normandie had something cold about her grand (and better executed) interiors. Shame Mary's best interior (the Ballroom) was later removed. Enough waffle, wonderful video! Interesting that Normandie's snap happy roll wasn't mentioned!

[@yknott9873]

Normandie was reputed to be a stiff, snappy roller - in the worst winter storms (and WNA "Winter North Atlantic" is the lowest load-line on all ships) that would delay other liners including the Queens for days, Normandie was rarely more than a few hours late. That astonishingly wide midsection would have played a large role in that. The Queens on the other hand, were tender ships - they rolled alarmingly and hung in the roll. One of their crews said the ship could "roll the milk out of a cup of tea"...

[@clivetrumpet]

Awesome commentary, accurate, informative and interesting. Thank you.

[@Falcon7001]

I thought I read somewhere that is was a US Naval Reserve officer that doomed the Normandie. When it caught fire, the fireboat spray was starting to make the ship list to port. The architect in charge of the conversion work, saw this and tried to get aboard to open the lower level water tight doors. That way the ship would flood and settle evenly into the river bed. It could just be pumped out and raised easily. But some US Naval Reserve officer assigned to dock security wouldn't let him go aboard and the ship ended up on it's side and unsalvageable.

[@jonathanhoeffner573]

Awesome video. My grandfather was in the military and was transported on the Queen Mary to france

[@xmtryanx]

The interesting thing is Mary would have always won. You can overpressure turbines, but you cant overclock marine motors. Mary eternally for the win. Cool doc.... thanks for sharing!

[@truckdriver1982]

Hi! Love your channel! Have you thought about doing a "How oceanliners work" video? I have always woundern how the ships wheel was connected to the rudder.

[@williamvanalen9414]

Alex the historian on his KZbin channel covers some of this in his Queen Mary videos, even going below decks and showing the hydraulic rams that move the rudder.

[@Straswa]

Great work Oceanliner Designs! I thoroughly enjoy your quality uploads.

[@mrb.5610]

Seeing a video including the Normandie, a quick question. Were most of the interior walls of 'the classic liners' made from wood ? Lightweight, easy to work but obviously a fire risk. Later ones - thinking 1950s - must have been more fireproof as safety standards improved - but steel is heavy ! Maybe a topic for a future video perhaps ? !

[@zeddeka]

The SS United States was made with that in mind in the 1950s. Its construction used a huge amount of aluminium to reduce weight and fire risk, because it was intended for use in war if needed.

[@theontologist]

The international SOLAS Convention requires modern ships to use standardized safety measures such as fire-retardant bulkheads. The lack of standards allowed classic ships such as the Morro Castle to pretend to be fire proof, when in fact their safety features were only for show. In the case of the Morro Castle, fire doors and firewalls reached only up to false ceilings (allowing flames to race over them), water pressure was too low to support sprinklers and fire hoses, walls were made of highly flammable woods, the ship funnels were uninsulated and so the superheated fumes within them scorched adjacent cabin walls, the superstructure was coated with several thick layers of flammable paint, ventilation systems spread smoke while feeding air to flames, and crews were untrained.

[@MiniMC546]

If Normandie survived while being requisitioned as a troopship, she and Queen Mary, alongside with Queen Elizabeth would've cut the war time in Europe by more than half.

[@merafirewing6591]

How about we throw in more Edwardian era ocean liners, would that reduce that time even quicker?

[@wallaceandgromit6383]

@@merafirewing6591 They would probably get sunk by u boats due to their slow speed

[@torray61]

When one thinks how valuable the two queens were to the war efforts, it really boggles the mind how valuable a third huge, fast liner would have been. Tragic what happened to the Normandie.

[@roadweary5252]

Another great upload, Mike! I hope to see you on the annual Titanic Live Stream in April!

[@johnv7317]

The Normandie and the Queen Mary two of the greatest oceanliners ever built.

[@mileshigh1321]

Nicely done with lots of great info and footage and pictures!

[@Crazyman23]

I don't remember what ship exactly it was but I think it was the Normandie. Some ship sunk and it was one of the ships responding to the distress. When it got to where the ship was they couldn't find anything so the captain decided to stop and turn on every light the ship had including the name placard that was high and center(seeing the photos of Normandie with that style is why I think it's the Normandy). With other smaller ships she created a block to easily recover the life boats in the water while also providing ease to people's minds seeing the big ship lit up.

[@ryanjones5133]

Could we have a ship history video on the NORMANDY

[@HazelofStarfleet]

Wonderful video! have you ever considered doing a "What if Normandie survived?" video like you did for Titanic and Britannic?

[@richardchiriboga4424]

Fascinating story!!!

[@cyberleaderandy1]

My Uncle came to the UK on the Queen Mary in WW2 when it was a troop ship. I walked its decks in the 1990s when it was a hotel by the Spruce Goose. Great experience.