Steamship Speed Races: How Fast Could Ocean Liners Cross the Atlantic?

📌 Explore the thrilling history of steamship speed records! Learn how transatlantic crossings evolved from slow voyages to record-breaking races. A must-read for maritime historians, students, genealogists, and ocean travel enthusiasts.

The Speedy SS Deutschland (1899) Leaving New York Harbor c1901. Detroit Publishing Company. Library of Congress LCN 2018756498. GGA Image ID # 1ffc08a1c5

🚢 Racing Across the Atlantic: The Speed & Innovation of Steamships ⏳⚓

📖 A Voyage Through Maritime Speed Records & Engineering Marvels

The "How Fast Could A Steamship Cross the Ocean?" index is a remarkable historical resource that meticulously traces the evolution of transatlantic steamship travel, highlighting the racing giants of the sea that revolutionized global transportation. This comprehensive collection of records, ship specifications, and speed data makes it an essential reference for teachers, students, historians, genealogists, and maritime enthusiasts.

This section brings to life the incredible competition among shipping lines to achieve record-breaking Atlantic crossings, a contest that captivated the world in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The article covers everything from the early ocean liners of the 1840s to the high-speed marvels of the 1900s, demonstrating how advances in shipbuilding, steam power, and engineering transformed travel.

The Acadia was the first "ocean greyhound" brought out by the Cunard Line, which made her maiden voyage years ago. A comparison of her size and speed with those steamships that have subsequently made ''fast reputations" is fascinating.

The following is a list. It will be noted that no steamship has made a speed record since the Mauretania made hers in 1908 and 1909.

Record Transatlantic Voyages

The record from New York to Havre was made by the SS France of the French Line – 5 days 17 hours. From N. Y. to Southampton, the record of 5 days. 17 hours 8 minutes was made by the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse of the North German Lloyd Line in 1897, and that from New York to Naples by the Deutschland, Hamburg America Line, 7 days 16 hours 44 minutes in 1904.

In speed, both the Deutschland and the Kaiser Wilhelm surpass the Cunard boats; in size, the Oceanic surpasses everything. Overall, the White Star boat measures 704 feet; in speed, she can reel off with clock-like regularity about 20.5 knots, as against the 21.90 knots of the Lucania.

The best hourly average of the Kaiser Wilhelm is 22.6 knots; that of the Deutschland, as has already been said, is no less than 23.36, or nearly a knot an hour better. The great Hamburg American flier must be considered the queen of the seas.

The Deutschland's fastest passage from New York to Plymouth was made last September 1901, five days, seven hours, and thirty-eight minutes -- about one-fifth of the time taken by the Savannah. During this test of energy and speed, she developed 36,913 horsepower at a daily expenditure of 572 tons of coal.

The Mauretania of the Cunard Line recorded the fastest day's run in January 1911- 676 knots daily run or a top speed of 27.04 knots.

Earlier Transatlantic Records

The following table shows the way the ocean passage was gradually cut down by the older steamships:

The " Umbria."

This vessel has an enviable record, and her reputation as an "ocean greyhound" has been well sustained. In thirteen westward trips, this remarkable racer made an average passage of 6 days, 16 hours, and 36 minutes.

In twelve eastward trips, she accomplished the runs on an average of 6 days, 10 hours, and 7 minutes. The average westward speed was 17.67 knots, and eastward at 18.55 knots. The Umbria's fastest August record was a little over 6 days, 12 hours.

In 1867, the Clyde-built screw steamer, Russia, was added to the fleet. Her gross tonnage was 2,960, and she carried 235 cabin passengers. This vessel quickly earned a reputation for speed and comfort, viewing the Scotia as a passenger favorite; her fastest passage across the Atlantic was 8 days 28 minutes.

A remarkable feature in connection with these ships is the marvelous regularity with which they have crossed the Atlantic since they left the hands of the builders.

Their efficiency may have increased year by year, for it was in July 1892 that the "UMBRIA" made her fastest passage across the Atlantic, in 5 days, 22 hours, 7 minutes. In September 1892, the " ETRURIA " made her fastest passage, 6 days and 20 minutes.

The subsequent additions to the Cunard fleet were the Catalonia, Pavonia, and Cephalonia, which were placed upon the Boston service, and then, in 1883, came a new type of vessel in the Aurania, which, while 45 feet shorter than the Servia, was five feet wider in the beam -- a circumstance which enabled material improvements to be introduced in the accommodation for first-class passengers.

This same year saw the launching of another Atlantic line at the yard of Messrs. John Elder & Co., at Glasgow, of Oregon, whose compound, direct-acting inverted engines developed 13,500 indicated horsepower and enabled a speed of 18 knots to be attained.

This sensational result immediately led the directors of the Cunard Line to order from the same builders two new vessels, which, while incorporating the best features of the SS Oregon, had others of their own, which, together, made the Umbria and Etruria, illustrated below, the fastest and finest ships then afloat.

With a gross register of 8,127 tons and engines indicating 14,500 horsepower, a speed of 20 knots was secured. In its time, the Etruria held the Atlantic record for speed, having accomplished the western passage in 5 days, 20 hours, and 55 minutes and the eastern route in 6 days and 37 minutes.

1890

During the past year, these two steamers have maintained a regular fast Express Service between New York, Southampton, and Hamburg, bringing passengers to London within 7 days and to Hamburg within 8 days, while the actual ocean passage is reduced to 6 days.

Passengers leaving London at noon on a Friday and boarding the Hamburg steamer at Southampton have been landed in New York on the following Friday before noon, thus bringing them from their business in London to their business in New York in less than a week—a feat not equaled by any other line. This shows the wonderful convenience that these steamers offer to the traveling public.

The fastest runs were over 20 knots, equal to 23 English miles, and exceeded transcontinental trains' speed.

1891

For the whole season, on her trips to the eastward, she averaged 19.12 knots, and to the westward, 18.91 knots per hour. She has made a slightly better average than her sister, the favorite City of Paris, and she beat her powerful rival, the Teutonic, seven times out of ten during the past season.

The fastest westward trip on record is that of the City of Paris, her time of 5 days, 19 hours, and 18 minutes being undisputed. Her best eastward journey was made in 5 days, 22 hours, and 50 minutes, the fastest trip on record to the eastward.

The lowest time claimed for the SS Teutonic on a westward trip is 5 days, 19 hours, and 5 minutes. Still, this record is in dispute, as there is a discrepancy of 55 minutes in the time of her arrival at Sandy Hook Lightship as shown by her log and that given by the marine observers both at the Highlands of Nave-sink and Sandy Hook.

There is also a difference of 28 minutes in her leaving time from Roche's Point between the time shown by her log and the reported time by the Associated Press observer, which adds one hour and twenty-three minutes to the record claimed for her. Her fastest eastward voyage was made in 5 days, 23 hours, and 34 minutes.

The SS City of New York made the westward voyage in 5 days, 21 hours, and 19 minutes; she made the eastward voyage in 5 days, 23 hours, and 14 minutes.

The Majestic's fastest westward trip was 5 days, 21 hours, and 20 minutes, and her fastest trip to the eastward was 5 days, 23 hours, and 16 minutes.

The Etruria has a record to the westward of 6 days, 1 hour, and 50 minutes and the eastward of 6 days, 5 hours, and 18 minutes.

The Umbria's record to the westward is 6 days, 4 hours, and 20 minutes, and her eastward record is 6 days, 3 hours, and 17 minutes.

The trips of these six vessels are measured between Sandy Hook Lightship and Roche's Point, the entrance to Queenstown Harbor; the North-German Lloyd Line and the Hamburg-American measure the trips between Sandy Hook Lightship and the Needles, near Southampton.

The Columbia has made the journey eastward in 6 days, 15 hours, and to the westward in 6 days, 16 hours, and 2 minutes.

The SS Normannia made the eastward trip in 6 days, 17 hours, and 20 minutes, and to the westward in 6 days, 17 hours, and 2 minutes.

The record of the SS Augusta Victoria is eastward, 6 days, 22 hours, and 32 minutes; westward, 6 days, 22 hours, and 40 minutes.

The new steamship Spree, of the North German Lloyd Line, made the trip eastward in 6 days and 22 hours on her third trip across the Atlantic, and the Lahn, of the same line, has a record to the eastward of 6 days 22 hours, and 42 minutes.

The fast ships of several lines now make a seven-day journey from port to port: the Cunard, Inman, White Star, North German Lloyd, Hamburg-American, French, Guion, and Anchor.

Their vessels are well-fitted, the passengers find every convenience at hand, and, barring terrible weather, the traveler may imagine that he is confined but a few days to a first-rate hotel on land.

Nevertheless, mentioning one or two comparatively minor features introduced lately may be worthwhile to make the journey to Europe comfortable.

Having your trunks checked at your house for delivery in London is now possible. However, the steamship may terminate its journey at Liverpool.

Comparative Table of Atlantic Steamships and Their Speeds. Ocean Steamships 1891. GGA Image ID # 147913ea81. Click to View Larger Image.

Transatlantic Liverpool to New York

• SS Etruria  6 Days, 5 Hours, 31 Minutes
• SS Umbria (sister ship) slightly longer
• SS Oregon 6 Days, 10 Hours, 35 Minutes
• SS America 6 Days, 13 Hours, 44 Minutes
• SS City of Rome 6 Days, 18 Hours, 0 Minutes
• SS Alaska 6 Days, 18 Hours, 37 Minutes
• SS Servia 6 Days, 23 Hours, 55 Minutes
• SS Aurania 7 Days, 1 Hours, 1 Minutes

1902-12

The Lucania has the advantage of her sister vessel in the actual passage length. Her fastest voyages have been westward, 5 days 7 hours and 23 minutes, and eastward, 5 days 8 hours and 38 minutes. Her best average westward speed is 22.81 knots, and eastward 22.01 knots.

Speed Records of the SS Deutschland of the Hamburg-American Line. SS Batavia Passenger List, 1 June 1907. GGA Image ID # 1ffbadc6ab

Left Plymouth July 6, 1900, Arrived New York, July 12, 1900

• Time Of Passage —5 Days, 15 Hours, 46 Minutes
• Total Distance —3,044 Miles
• Average Speed —22.42 knots

Fastest Trip —Eastbound

In Point of Time —(Over Short Course) :

Left New York, Sept. 4, 1900, Arrived Plymouth, Sept. 10, 1900

• Time Of Passage — 5 Days, 7 Hours, 38 Minutes
• Total Distance —2,982 Miles
• Average Speed — 23*36 knots

In Point of Speed—(Over Long Course) :

Left New York, July 11, 1901, Arrived Plymouth, July 17, 1901

• Time Of Passage — 5 Days, 11 Hours, 5 Minutes
• Total Distance —3,082 Miles
• Average Speed — 23.51 knots

Fastest Trip — Westbound

Left Cherbourg, Sept. 2, 1903, Arrived New York, Sept. 8, 1903

• Time Of Passage — 5 Days, 11 Hours, 54 Minutes
• Total Distance —3,054 Miles
• Average Speed —23.15 knots

Fastest Trip To Italy

Left New York, Jan. 20, 1904, Arrived Naples, Jan. 28, 1904

• Time Of Passage —7 Days, 16 Hours, 44 Minutes
• Total Distance—4,140 Miles
• Average Speed—22.85 knots

Highest Day’s Run was made on July 30, 1901
Westbound at 601 Nautical Miles = 692 Statute Miles

Note: Many of the source documents used in this report indicated speed as "knots an hour" where a knot equals one nautical mile per hour, so it makes no sense to speak of “knots per hour,” or "knots an hour." We have altered the original text leaving off “per/an hour” when reporting the speed of a vessel in knots.

🚀 Most Engaging & Insightful Sections: Why They Matter

⚡ From Slow Crossings to Speed Kings: The Evolution of Transatlantic Steam Travel

This article chronicles the dramatic improvements in ship speed and engineering, revealing how ocean crossings were gradually reduced from 9-10 days in the mid-19th century to just over 4 days by the early 20th century.

📌 Key highlights include:

✅ Early steamships like the Acadia (1841) with speeds of just 11 knots 🏗️

✅ Breakthroughs in speed with the Etruria (1887), reaching 19.5 knots 🏆

✅ The Mauretania (1908), setting an unmatched record of 26 knots 🚀

✅ Fascinating speed races between competing lines—Cunard, White Star, North German Lloyd, Hamburg America, and French Lines

💡 Why it’s relevant:

✅ Teachers & students – A timeline of innovation in maritime transport 🌊

✅ Historians – Insights into the industrial revolution’s impact on ocean travel ⚙️

✅ Genealogists – Understanding the voyage conditions of ancestors who immigrated 🚢

🏆 The Blue Riband: The Transatlantic Speed Race

The article highlights the intense competition for the "Blue Riband", the unofficial award for the fastest Atlantic crossing.

📌 Fastest Record Holders:

✅ SS Deutschland (1900) – Fastest New York to Plymouth time: 5 days, 7 hours, 38 minutes

✅ RMS Mauretania (1909) – The ultimate record holder, completing the journey in 4 days, 13 hours, 41 minutes

💡 Why it’s relevant:

✅ Maritime enthusiasts – Discover the technological advancements that enabled faster crossings 🚢

✅ Students & researchers – Learn how national pride, innovation, and competition fueled maritime development 🏁

🌊 The Deutschland vs. Mauretania: The Ultimate Rivalry

The Deutschland and Mauretania represent two iconic powerhouses of the ocean. This article gives a detailed breakdown of their technological innovations, fuel efficiency, and record-breaking voyages.

📌 Key Comparisons:

✅ Deutschland (1900) – Known as the "Greyhound of the Seas", achieving 23.5 knots ⚡

✅ Mauretania (1908) – Topped all records with 26.06 knots, holding the speed crown for 22 years 🏆

💡 Why it’s relevant:

✅ Historians & students – Understand how engineering and design shaped the ocean race ⚙️

✅ Educators – Use as a case study on the impact of industrialization on transportation 📚

📜 Earlier Transatlantic Records: Steamships Before the 20th Century

This article traces the progressive reduction of crossing times, showing how each new generation of ships improved upon the last.

📌 Noteworthy Voyages:

✅ Scotia (1866) – Cut the crossing to 8 days, 2 hours, 48 minutes

✅ City of Paris (1892) – First to achieve a crossing in 5 days, 14 hours, 24 minutes

✅ Lucania (1894) – Further reduced the time to 5 days, 7 hours, 23 minutes

💡 Why it’s relevant:

✅ Teachers & students – A fantastic historical dataset for understanding technological progress 📊

✅ Genealogists – Learn what kind of steamships ancestors may have traveled on 🚢

🛳️ Comparing the Greatest Atlantic Steamships

The comparative table of Atlantic steamships (1891-1922) is a priceless resource for historians, maritime researchers, and students. It breaks down tonnage, speed, and technological advancements of the most famous liners.

📌 Key Data Points:

✅ Tonnage growth – From 1,834 tons (Acadia, 1841) to 32,500 tons (Mauretania, 1908)

✅ Speed acceleration – From 11 knots (Acadia, 1841) to 26 knots (Mauretania, 1908)

💡 Why it’s relevant:

✅ Historians & educators – An excellent timeline to analyze maritime progress 📊

✅ Maritime buffs – A goldmine of ship specifications and milestones ⚓

📸 Noteworthy Images & Their Importance

📷 "The Speedy SS Deutschland (1899) Leaving New York Harbor"

A stunning visual of one of the fastest liners of its time 🌊

📷 "Comparative Table of Atlantic Steamships (1891)"

A rare and valuable infographic for maritime historians 📜

📷 "Speed Records of the SS Deutschland"

A fascinating snapshot of how fast these ships could travel 🏆

🚀 Final Thoughts: A Must-Read for Maritime Enthusiasts & Historians

This in-depth historical analysis of ocean liner speed records is essential for educators, students, genealogists, and maritime researchers. It offers a rare glimpse into the engineering marvels, legendary competitions, and technological breakthroughs that made steamship travel faster and more luxurious.

📌 Who Should Use This Resource?

✔️ Teachers & students – A detailed resource for research projects and essays 📚

✔️ Genealogists – Understand how fast ancestors' journeys may have been 📜

✔️ Historians & maritime buffs – A treasure trove of steamship records & insights 🚢

🔎 🚀 Need sources for an essay? Use the GG Archives for historical documents, passenger lists, and primary sources on ocean travel history! 📜⚓