AKA Blue Riband

Definition

Noun

  • An award for the passenger liner with the fastest transatlantic crossing.

Origin

Modern. This began around 1840.

Comments

This was more of a notional award, but of course, companies got very competitive for whose ship had the fastest crossing. The first American ship to receive this was SS Baltic in 1852. The last was SS United States in 1952, which made the eastbound crossing from New York to Cornwall in 3 days and 10 hours, averaging 35.59 knots. In addition, British, French, and German ships have held this award.

Some other ships that have held the record include:

  • 1897: Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse (22.35 kts)
  • 1907: Mauretania (27.4 kts)
  • 1937: Queen Mary & Normandie (30+ kts)

References

Kemp, P. (1994). The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. Oxford University Press.

Rogers, J.G. (1985). Origins of Sea Terms. Mystic Seaport.