The Normandie floats again. Flames sweep the U.S.S.

The Normandie floats again. Flames sweep the U.S.S. Lafayette, formerly the French liner Normandie, as she lies at het New York pier Feb. 9, 1942, being refitted for war service by the U.S. Navy. the next day, the vessel, once the biggest ship afloat, slid over her side and settled half-submerged in the Hudson River, her part side resting in a bed of mud. U.S. engineers immedialtely began the task of rightinh the 80,000-ton liner. Divers erected concrete bulkheads throughout the submerged part of her hull, and all openings were sea;ed. Superstructure was removed to reduce deckweight. Early in August, 1943, the work of pumping out the water began. Slowly the 1,000-feet hull inched up out of the river mud. Two days later, her list decreased to 40 degrees and salvage engineers said the first phase of refloating the ship was complete--four months ahaed of schedule. Next stop is to refit the vessel for war service with the U.S. Navy.