Crossing the Atlantic

Ships were the only mode of transport for the businessman of the era, so speed was Important when choosing which line to sail with.

Businessmen thought no more of a 5-day Atlantic crossing than the modern businessman does of a day trip between Sydney and Melbourne or NY and LA, these days. But they still wanted to get there and back as quickly as possible.

The Blue riband became the prized possession of the shipping world and they were constantly striving to be the biggest, fastest and most luxurious liner afloat.

This had been vied for since the late 19th century, when the Germans joined in the trans Atlantic trade and threw down the gauntlet to British steam ship companies. The primary 2 being White Star lines and her arch rival Cunard.

While White Star was not a serious contender, preferring it’s appeal to the upper market with luxury as opposed to speed, Cunard dominated the prize.

However when Bruce Ismay took over the firm from his father, he had different ideas and had his nose put out of joint when the Cunard line’s Lusitania won the riband back from the German’s in 1907. Mauritania took the honours in 1909 and her record wasn't bested until 1929.

Bruce Ismay wanted his White Star Line to be the biggest, most luxurious and fastest. To that end he and Lord Pirrie came up with the plan to build 2 (later 3) vessels that would outclass the Cunard line’s Lusitania and Mauritania in every way. White Star had been known for luxury and this was what they went for in the end. A little less speed but a lot more luxury.

The British government had concocted a plan at the turn of the 20th century to retain British pride and wrest the prized riband from the clutches of the Germans. Cunard was a beneficiary while White Star was not, being majority owned by then by J P Morgan's IMM line.

Already we have a number of choices starting to play off each other in respect to the new super liners, as they were known.

Background
Part 1   Introduction to the story.
Part 2   Sign of the Times
Part 3  The Times They are a Changing
Part 4  Crossing the Atlantic
Part 5  Iceberg Dead Ahead

The Journey
Part 1 Preparation
Part 2 Setting Sail
Part 3 A few stops
Part 4 All's well
more coming soon

Another Perspecive
Part 1 An astrological look
Part 2 An astrological perspective