 She was severely damaged by fire at Le Havre, Seine-Maritime, France, on 20 August 1929 and sank, but was refloated on 11 September 1929, was repaired, and returned to service.With the onset of the Great Depression late in 1929, even the French Line′s stylish ships were sailing only a third full.The French Line avoided the possibility of laying them up by pressing them into cruise work.