Over the years I’ve heard many stories about my Grandfather Antoni. Of all the accomplishments he left behind, the one that I found most fascinating was a replica of a Transatlantic Ship he had handcrafted as a young man. He displayed the ship inside a very large glass case to keep it from being damaged. I remember spending long enjoyable hours admiring the detail he put into this work of art. I later found out that this piece was actually an exact replica of the famous French Transatlantic Ship called Ile de France.

The SS Ile de France was a French Ocean Liner built by Penhoet in Saint-Nazaire, France in 1925 for the Compagnie Generale Transatlantique (CGT). The port of registry, located in France, was where the ocean liner was launched and christened on March 14th 1926. Her maiden voyage took place on June 22, 1927 and, unfortunately, her fate left her scrapped in Osaka, Japan in 1959.

The Ile de France was the first major ocean liner built after World War I. It was also the first ocean liner ever to include an Art Deco aesthetic. Ile the France was neither the largest nor the fastest ship, but she was considered the most beautifully decorated ship built by the French Line until the Normandie was born.

Moved by its beauty and love for the ocean, my Grandfather decided to dedicate part of his life at sea to creating a replica of the ship. Using wood and pieces of metal, he mirrored every part of the ship with breathtaking precision. From the crow's nests and lifeboats, to the intricate tables located inside the ships dining room, my Grandfather handcrafted this vessel with the upmost attention to detail.

Antoni was offered large sums of money in exchange for his masterpiece on several occasions. On one particular occasion, a museum located in Buenos Aires, Argentina, extended their interest by offering to purchase the replica as an antique. Although some people may have said he was crazy for turning them down, my grandfather was determined to keep this very personal achievement close to the family as a reminder that nothing, even the largest of vessels, would ever be too large to conquer.

I am very proud to say that this treasure is still in my family’s possession, and that we plan to pass the legacy on to our children and grandchildren, in hopes that they too, will embrace the significance that this jewel represents.

My Grandfather's incredible workmanship was a one-of-a kind tribute to the Ile de France and to me it remains, and will always be, a true embodiment of what a hard workers passion and dedication can accomplish.

Liliana B. Irrera
Founder
MarineandSports.com