The U.S.S. Lafayette (ex-Normandie) Capsized in New York Harbor

The Art Deco oceanliner S.S. Normandie was taken over by the US Navy in 1941 while she was interred in New York harbor, and renamed U.S.S. Lafayette. Originally slated to be converted to an aircraft carrier, it was then decided to convert her to a fast troop transport. During the conversion a pile of kapok life jackets caught fire from the sparks of a welding torch which spread throughout the ship. In an attempt to put out the fire, so much water was pumped into her that she became top heavy, and capsized. Eventually righted, she was sold by the Maritime Commission to be broken up in 1946 by Lipsett.