History Of Steam Liner Travel

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History of Steam Liner Travel

Our grandparents and great-grandparents often arrived on the shores of the United States via a steam liner. These large ships could withstand the long journey from port to port, providing passengers with living quarters during the voyage. Steam liners were considered a great way to travel a century ago.

In addition to carrying people, ocean liners brought mail between nations and all kinds of cargo, including gold and other highly values goods. Many people travelling via steamer probably didn't even realize they were in the company of a hefty pile of gold!

Early History of Steam Liner Travel

The steam engine was in full use in the early 1800s on land and for small sailing vessels. It wasn't until 1818 that the first regular passenger service was offered from England to the United States via the Black Ball Line. The early steam ships also had sails because the engines were inefficient. Sails were used during good weather to save fuel.

By the middle 1800s, steam ships were in full use for passenger travel across both the Atlantic and the Pacific. The ships ...
... grew larger and had more comfortable accommodations. In fact, in 1870, the White Star Line added electricity and running water to their ocean liners-things that were considered luxury items even on land at the time.

By the last decades of the 1800s, steam liners were being used regularly to bring immigrants from European nations to the United States. Literally, millions of people boarded a variety of sailing vessels and made their way to U.S. ports hoping to become citizens. Some of the ships in the Holland America line were large enough to carry 3,000 passengers.

In the early days, steam ship lines competed with each other for fastest voyage honors. In 1819, the steamship Savannah made the journey from Liverpool, England to Savannah, Georgia in 29 days, 11 hours. The Savannah only used her steam engines part of the time on the voyage. In contrast, the Mauretania broke steamship speed records by chugging along at an astounding 31 miles per hour in 1910. Nearly 20 years later, the German ship Bremen bested the Mauretania's speed with 32.5 miles per hour record.

The Golden Age of Steam Liner Travel

The period between 1880 and World War II is considered the Golden Age of steam liner travel. Hundreds of ships carrying thousands of passengers steamed across the vast oceans between ports in Australia, England, Spain, North America, and Africa.

Luxury accommodations were available for those who desired a few weeks worth of holiday on the ocean. Vast ballrooms and galleries, endless entertainment, and large quarters were available to all who could pay the passage fees.

The opulent images connected with the Titanic were common on some steam ships, in sharp contrast to the steerage decks which housed those with less ability to pay for luxury passage. The steerage decks became communities during the voyage, complete with impromptu entertainment, romantic flings, petty crime, and plenty of seasickness.

Everyone is familiar with the story of the Titanic which hit an iceberg in 1912 and sank, taking more than 1,500 people with it. The disaster with the Titanic prompted regulations to be tightened for all ocean going vessels, especially steam passenger liners. The main regulation added was that there be enough lifeboats for all passengers and crew.

Steam Liner Travel for Troops: World War Transport

Many steam liners were pressed into service during World War I and World War II to transport troops between North America and Europe. Because they could accommodate large numbers of men and move fairly quickly, these steam ships were ideal for this purpose.

Unfortunately, several steam liners were destroyed during the wars, including the Titanic's sister ship, the Britannic. In fact, the Britannic never sailed with civilian passengers because she was destroyed after one year of service transporting troops in World War I. The Normandie caught fire in New York Harbor and was completely destroyed in 1942.

The illustrious German steamship Bremen, which held speed records for many years, became the victim of an arsonist in 1941 and was completely destroyed.

Until airplanes became the preferred method of transoceanic travel, steam liners ruled the tourist and cargo transport trade. Because these steam liners were so well built, with thick hull plating, powerful engines, and high sides to keep back the crashing ocean waves, steam liners were a good way to travel in the days before airplanes. They may not have been comfortable all the time but with few accidents in their colorful history, they certainly were safe.
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