Again in 1870, the appearance of the White Star liner Oceanic, marked a new development. Her yacht-like shape, great length, and general symmetry of form commenced a marked change in Atlantic liners.
It was in 1867 that Mr. T. H. Ismay bought the interest of the managing owner of the White Star line—a set of sailing clippers, dating from the rush to the Australian gold diggings—and began to introduce iron vessels instead of wooden clipper ships. In 1869 he established the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company—popularly known as the White Star—and was later on joined by Mr. William Imrie. The Company was started with so much wisdom and boldness that the £1000 shares were privately taken up at once. The order for the new steamers was given to Harland & Wolff, of Belfast, because, it is said, an influential share-holder had had satisfactory dealings with them before.
The Oceanic was of 3600 tons burthen, and with engines of 3000 horse-power. The accommodation for first-class passengers was placed amidships, where the motion of the vessel is said to be felt the least, and altogether she embodied improvements which made her the type of many of the Atlantic passenger ships since. The earlier White Stars were fitted with compound engines, and reduced the passage to about 8½ days.
But when the White Stars Germanic and Britannic appeared in 1877, then a marked advance indeed was made in the Atlantic record. The Britannic astonished the world by speeding from Queenstown to New York in 7 days, 10 hours, and 50 minutes, and since then she has beaten her own record. Her sister ship Germanic also did as well, and the fierce race for the blue ribbon of the Atlantic may be said to have begun.
It was even prophesied that the time across the water might be reduced to six days. How has that been fulfilled?
CHAPTER V.
BEFORE THE FURNACE.
“The record’s broken again, Jemmy! The White Star has come home a couple of hours earlier!”
“She has, has she? Well, it will be the Cunard’s turn next week. It’s wonderful what they get out of the Cunard’s engines.”