The Invention
The first ocean liners were built by the United States. They were called packet ships. These packet ships were around 100 feet in length, typically had three sails, the middle being the tallest.Robert Fultan, who was an american, designed a paddle steamer called the Clemont that crossed the Hudson River. This led to the invention of the propeller in 1839 which was used to power commercial shipping vessels. Later, the United States lost their competition to British naval architect, Mark Isambard Brunel. He constructed better ships in both technically and size. His ships were wood and driven by paddles. He called it the Great Western. Brunel created a liner that was made of iron and driven by a propeller. It was called the Great Eastern, which is the first vessel with a double iron hull capable of carrying 4,000 passengers and also had a steam turbine. Another liner Brunel made was the SS Great Britain which was the first propeller driven ship to cross the Atlantic. The advantage of steam was that ships were able to travel faster, but more importantly they didnt have to rely on weather or currents. They still used sails though just in case of a break down. An english company created the Mauretania in 1905, which also had aboard a steam turbine, steel hull, as well as four propellers. It was 790 feet long, could hold 2,335 passengers in addition to a crew of 800. In the 1930's three of the most famous ships were launched: the Normandie from France, the Queen Mary from England, and the Queen Elizabeth from England.
Ocean liners were created to transport people across the ocean. Designed for rough weather and speed, these liners were built to get people where they wanted. Ocean liners were more efficient than wooden vessels. By the early 1900's ocean liners were extremely popular because jet planes had not yet been invented. The Great Western, built by Brunel, was the first to make regularly scheduled journeys across the Atlantic. Until the 19th century, each ship usually was owned by a number of small inventors.
Ocean liners were created to transport people across the ocean. Designed for rough weather and speed, these liners were built to get people where they wanted. Ocean liners were more efficient than wooden vessels. By the early 1900's ocean liners were extremely popular because jet planes had not yet been invented. The Great Western, built by Brunel, was the first to make regularly scheduled journeys across the Atlantic. Until the 19th century, each ship usually was owned by a number of small inventors.