 Upon the withdrawal of CGT's competing France from service in 1974, Queen Elizabeth 2 became the largest operational passenger ship in the world for a few years, until the France was returned to service as SS Norway in 1980.On 23 July 1976 while "Queen Elizabeth 2" was 80 miles off the Scilly Isles on a transatlantic voyage, a flexible coupling drive connecting the starboard main engine high pressure rotor and the reduction gear box ruptured.This allowed lubricating oil under pressure to enter into the main engine room where it ignited, creating a severe fire.