The True Transatlantic Super-Liners

A new photographic history of the 13 passenger ships which genuinely qualify to hold the term ‘super-liner’

At a time before budget air travel, when the ocean liner ruled the seas, the demand for speed, regularity and luxury on the transatlantic route launched a glorious era of ocean super-liners. They truly were spectacular design icons: stylish, elegant and massive in size, but beautiful to behold. They stirred the imagination; their achievements and exploits were legendary; and they were unique, both as a group and individually, each having a distinctive character and ‘look’ of its own. Unquestionably, they were veritable floating cities, the like of which had never been seen before and, with a solitary exception, have not been seen since.

Only thirteen ships were entitled to the ‘super-liner’ accolade: Imperator (later Berengaria), Vaterland (later Leviathan), Bismarck (later Majestic), Bremen, Europa (later Liberté), Rex, Normandie, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, United States, France (later Norway), Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2. In The True Transatlantic Super-liners, maritime authors David L. Williams and Richard P. de Kerbrech tell each ship’s equally singular story in fascinating detail and supplement the tales with stunning photographs of a bygone era.