Snapshot: The Hulk of the Normandie

After catching fire and ultimately capsizing on February 10, 1942 the French Line's famous Normandie (which had been renamed USS Lafayette during conversion to a troop transport) lay on her side in disgrace. It was not until August the following year that she was righted; it had been hoped to restore her to sailing condition. The damage was too extensive, however, and the burned out hulk was later sold in 1946 to Lipsett, Inc. for scrap.

Less than a decade old and the grand liner's days were numbered. The Normandie/Lafayette would be completely broken up by the end of 1948.

Snapshot: Queen Mary Cabin Numbers

This photo was taken several months ago while aboard the retired RMS Queen Mary. It shows the type of plaque used for the hotel today, but also an example of the ship's original cabin numbers. I can only assume was used from 1936 to 1947. I came across quite by accident that day.

I've never seen anything like it before on the Mary - the number plaques I'm familiar with were painted on pieces of wood in either red or green paint (such as the one seen here).

Snapshot: George Harrison on the QE2

George Harrison poses for a quick picture while sailing aboard QE2 in the early 1970s.

Despite the fact his music was often overlooked, George wrote some of the most beautiful songs in rock history (this includes his time with the Beatles as well as his subsequent solo career). He was the rare kind of musician who hated the limelight and having people watch him onstage; he would rather have been home gardening instead.

It was 10 years ago today that George Harrison died of cancer. But although his body may have passed away, his soul lives on through the music.

"...the last of the Line."

Continuing on my recent string of Nomadic posts, this documentary clip shows the ship as she was in Paris while serving as a restaurant.

Snapshot: Olympic & Nomadic

The tender Nomadic services the RMS Olympic, the last remaining ship of the White Star Line's grand trio that included Titanic and Britannic.

Of all these great ships, however, only the small 1,270 GRT Nomadic remains. She is currently undergoing renovations in Belfast, Northern Ireland and slated to be opened as a museum ship in the near future.

Snapshot: Nomadic Returns Home

Nomadic - the last remaining White Star Line ship afloat - returned home to Belfast, Northern Ireland in July 2006 after serving as a restaurant in Paris for a number of years. Launched in 1911 and ported in Cherbourg, France, she was a tender for the great Olympic and ill-fated Titanic.

After the merger with Cunard in 1934, however, Nomadic went on to service the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth until their respective retirements.