In 1907, the White Star Line began a new service from Southampton to New York. While the maiden voyage of the new Adriatic had been from Liverpool to New York, she returned from New York to Southampton.

Earlier that year, the Celtic had made two round voyages from Southampton to New York ostensibly for another IMM company, the American Line, but in reality for White Star Line to gain some experience on this route.

The four ships that inaugurated this new service were the Adriatic, Majestic, Oceanic and Teutonic.

1907

J.Bruce Ismay and Lord Pirrie meet to discuss three new ships for the White Star Line

Five years before Titanic would set sail, J.Bruce Ismay, managing director of the White Star Line, and Lord William James Pirrie, chairman of the shipbuilder Harland and Wolff, met for dinner in London.

It was on this night that the two discussed plans for three new liners that would be like nothing the world had seen.

Harland and Wolff and the White Star Line had a very loyal partnership, but White Star had major competition from the Cunard line, who was enjoying great success with the Mauretania and Lusitania and their speed records for crossing the Atlantic.

As ships were the only means for crossing the oceans in this era, and as an Atlantic crossing transit still took several days, people would inevitably spend a significant amount of time on ocean liners.

White Star Line and Cunard understood, while Cunard’s priority was generally Speed, backed by their revolutionary turbine engines.

The White Star Line had generally opted for the more comfortable and slightly slower voyage.

While White Star maintained this philosophy, the size and luxury of the newly conceived liners held promise to outdo the Cunard ships in more than one respect.

The White Star flagships would have both reciprocating steam engines, the norm for the period, and a turbine engine to power the centre of the three propellers. Moreover, a double plated bottom and a sophisticated system of watertight compartments provided the utmost in security.

As ships were the only means for crossing the oceans in this era, and as an Atlantic Crossing transit still took several days, people would inevitably spend a significant amount of time on ocean liners.

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