Letter: The greatest liner

Sir: Peter Rich must have indeed been starry-eyed and his mind clouded with newly-wedded bliss in the summer of 1953 ('Ocean liner to a brave, newly-wed world' 6 August). He claims that the Ile de France was the last and the greatest of the French transatlantic liners. He is wrong on both counts.

The former distinction belongs to the France, now regrettably cruising under the guise of the Norway. The latter honour must without doubt be credited to the Normandie, arguably the greatest liner that ever sailed the Atlantic, or any other ocean. For decorative opulence and style she put even our own two great sisters, the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, in the shade.

Yours faithfully,

TERRY EDGAR

Wallasey, Merseyside

6 August