On board the French luxury liner, L' Atlantique. A unusual feature at the time, the central 'street' of shops, over 150 meters long, with the spacious embarkation hall. Fire broke out on the L' Alantiique in the early hours of 4th January 1933, at 6am the abandon ship order was given. The liner had no passengers on board, only crew, many were picked up in the British steamer, Ford Castle. One lifeboat was thrown into the sea, drowning some of the occupants. For hours the burning liner drifted, the terrific heat prevented slavage crafts from approaching. Eventually a French ship securred a line and brought her into Cherbourg.