In this unique study of ocean liners, Rob McAuley explores the history of passenger ships from the first crossing of the Atlantic by an auxiliary steam-powered vessel in 1819 to the great cruiseliners of today - with a preview of the enormous floating cities planned for the year 2000 and beyond.
Far more than just the story of the fabled North Atlantic, this book takes us on a global voyage of discovery on liners sailing under the flags of the P&O Line, blue Star, Royal Mail, Matson, Norddeutscher Lloyd, Hamburg-Amerika, Union castle, the French Line, Canadian Pacific, United States Line, Holland-America, Italia Line - and a host more - as they visit the major port cities of the world.
'The Liners' unravels the legends of the celebrated Cunard "Queens", the tragedies of the "Titanic" and "Lusitania", and the two worst liner disasters in history - the sinking of the "Wilhelm Gustloff" and "Cap Arcona" in World War 2 at the cost of over 12,000 lives. It also recalls an era when kings and queens, heads of government, celebrities of stage and screen, and international high-flying money brokers, turned every liner departure and arrival into a major media event. At the other end of the social spectrum it deals with the millions of immigrants travelling steerage, mostly below decks in appalling conditions, as they fled the Old World for the New.
'The Liners' also describes the ocean liner's fight for survival against the introduction of the jet airliner, and the metamorphosis of the industry into the giant cruiseline industry today. Bringing together the most knowledgeable team of experts in this subject ever assembled and drawing on first-hand accounts from passengers and crew, this book provides a remarkable insight into a crucial part of the world's maritime history.
Includes black and white, and full colour photographs.
