Capt. Jean Nadal

Douglas Cooper interviews Jean Nadal in his office during a 1974 voyage from New York to Southampton, England.

They discuss the speed and size of the ship, which is the longest passenger ship ever built at this time and had its first crossing in 1962. There are 1,913 passengers (full) and 1,000 crew members.

Cooper asks about the life of a ship's captain, which Nadal describes as variable with changing passengers. He describes a typical day for him on the ship, his background and how he became a captain, his family in France, the impact of the increasing price of oil on shipping, and the aspects of luxury on the ship. In terms of crises and storms that the Nadal has had to confront in the ship, the captain dismisses the risk: "I think this ship can go anytime anywhere."

Cooper (who has done a previous Atlantic crossing on the France) and Nadal agree that the ship is a symbol of French genius in construction and lifestyle amenities. Cooper refers to the ship's safety drill, announced in English, French, German and Spanish, and Nadal estimates they're 80% American passengers,10% French. His favorite passenger is Salvador Dali, who crosses twice a year. Nadal has done at least 100 crossings, and doesn't see his family at all, but is awarded four months' vacation.

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The Douglas P. Cooper Distinguished Contemporaries Collection (1967-1974) contains rare interviews with influential writers, statesmen, artists, songwriters, journalists and others who have left their mark on our culture.

The Origins of The Cooper Collection

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