White Star Line
The Birth of White Star Line
White Star Line was created in 1845 by an intrepid pair, John Pilkington and Henry Wilson. the line began with clipper ships that would run the UK-Australia run. But after the company began to suffer losses, they quickly concentrated their efforts to the NY-Liverpool run. It was too late for the company by that time though, and they quickly descended into bankruptcy. But the company and trademark was purchased by Thomas Ismay, and the "new White Star Line" began again. And this time it would go very differently. Almost immediately White Star struck a deal with Harland and Wolff, where White Star would be financed by H&W, but White Star would only build ships with Harland and Wolff. They Immediately began building a set of revolutionary ships, the Oceanic Class, consisting of the Oceanic, Atlantic, Baltic, Republic, and Adriatic, all fairly similar in size and design. The line would go on to be at the forefront in size and luxury for the next several decades, Building a second Oceanic, and the Olympic Class trio.
The Old White Star Line
Now, when I say "the old White Star Line" I'm referring to the original company created by John Pilkington and Henry Wilson, before the company went bankrupt and was subsequently purchased by Thomas Ismay. This first incarnation of the company began with chartered wooden sailing ships, the Tayleur, Blue Jacket, White Star, Red Jacket, Ellen, Ben Nevis, Emma, Mermaid and Iowa. These ships were rudimentary, and the vessel on which high hopes were placed, the RMS Tayleur, struck rocks and sank on her maiden voyage (remind you of anything?) Anyway, the company would build bigger and bigger sailing ships, before operating their first steamship, the Royal Standard. However, the company suffered major financial blows, and descended into bankruptcy.
The 1900's
By the dawn of the 20th century, the good old White Star Line had proven themselves as a company. They had built groundbreaking vessels, and milked the lucrative transatlantic trade as much as possible. But Cunard Line, had taken the stage, with the Lusitania, and Mauritania. White Star intended to take it back, and they would, but not in the way they planned to (that's called foreshadowing!) They would respond with the Olympic Class trio of liners, but I think we all know how that story ends.
The Olympic Class Liners
Finally! The moment I know you've all been waiting for, where we get to discuss the UNBELIEVABLE IRONY of the Olympic Class trio. Most of you probably already know everything I'm about to tell you, but at least we can all have a good laugh (and maybe you'll learn something new!)
Olympic Class Liner Profiles
Olympic
The first of the Olympic Class liners, the Olympic known as the "old reliable" had a very long and eventful career both in wartime, and civilian service. She made thousands of crossings, survived a world war, and underwent a massive refit in which her grand staircase was painted avocado green!
Titanic
The most famous sister by far, her story needs no explanation. Built second in the trio, after Olympic, she was longer by just a few inches and therefore got all the credit for being "The largest ship in the world!" Although, in advertising, the two would simply be marketed as "The Biggest steamers in the world," sharing the title.
Britannic
The last of the olympic class liners to be built, she was requisitioned for wartime during construction, and later in wartime service, struck a mine, sinking without ever carrying a paying passenger. her iconic hospital ship paint scheme and hydraulic lifeboat davits set her apart drastically from her sisters.