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| Sirius: Built in 1838, this British paddle steamer became the first ship to cross the Atlantic Ocean by steam. She held the Blue Ribband for westbound crossings for one single day in April of 1838. She held the award for eastbound crossings for three days. |
| Great Western: Launched in 1838 by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, she was the first vessel built especially for regular trips across the Atlantic. This was the vessel responsible for stealing the westbound Blue Ribband from the Sirius after only a day. The westbound Blue Ribband was stolen from the Sirius after three days. The Great Western held the westbound speed record for nearly a year before losing it to Cunard Line's Columbia. The eastbound record was broken two years later by Cunard's first liner: the Britannia. She recaptured the westbound award in 1843 and held it until 1845. |
| Great Britain: Built in 1843 by Brunel, she became the first propeller-driven ship to cross the Atlantic. The Great Britain exists today in Bristol, England as a restored museum ship. |
| Great Eastern: Built in 1858 again by Brunel, she was the largest ship in her day, and kept that record until about 1901 when surpassed by White Star Line's Celtic. She was the first ship to ever posess more than two funnels.This ship was a financial flop, but her fame came in the 1860s when she layed the first transatlantic telegraph cable. |
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| Below are Brunel's three ships to scale: (Clockwise from upper left: Great Western, Great Britain, Great Eastern.) |
| FYI: The Blue Ribband |
| The Blue Ribband (rib-`ahnd) is referred to many times throughout this site. It is a prize given to the ship which make the fastest crossing of the Atlantic ocean, and was invented about the same time as the first passenger liner began service around 1840. There Blue Ribband was awarded for westbound as well as eastbound crossings resulting in a great number of ships that have held the award. The prize was shown physically in two ways. For many decades, ships holding the Blue Ribband flew a long blue ribbon from their aft masts. Around 1950, Hale's Trophy was made to signify the award. Below is a picture of this trophy. The photo on the right is of French Line's Normandie flying the Blue Riband from her aft mast. |
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| Introduction: The Four Ships that Started it All (To view a picture of the ship, click on its name.) |
