White Star Line Archival Collection
While half a century has elapsed since the White Star Line commenced running a regular steamer service between New York and Liverpool, the Line has actually been in existence since the middle of last century. Its original fleet consisted of some half dozen American-built clipper ships plying between England and Australia.
The Line was born during the gold fever. It is said that within the space of seven years the White Star clippers carried half a million prospectors to the Antipodes in search of the yellow metal. They returned home via China carrying cargoes of tea.
Content Links
- Ships and Ocean Liners Archival Collections
- White Star Line Brochures
- Route Maps and Track Charts
- Other Ephemera
RMS Adriatic Archival Collection
Adriatic (1906) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Sailing Schedules; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Other Ephemera; Books; Advertisements; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Photographs; Article: Adriatic Successfully Launched - 1906; Article: The Ship of the Year: The RMS Adriatic - 1907.
RMS Albertic Archival Collection
Albertic (1923) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Menus; Programs; Sailing Schedules; Guides; Deck Plans; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Advertisements; Title Pages; Senior Officers and Staff; Stationery; Books; Wireless Technology; Other Ephemera; Photographs; Excerpts from Information for Passengers.
Arabic (1903) White Star Line Ship History (Brief); Arabic (1908) White Star Line Ship History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Sailing Schedules; Photographs; Other Ephemera; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Services; Advertisements.
SS Athenic Archival Collection
Ephemera for the SS Athenic available may include Passenger Lists, Menus, Brochures, Sailing Schedules, Route Maps, Photographs, and more.
RMS Baltic Archival Collection
Baltic (1904) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Sailing Schedules; Guides; Title Pages; Photographs; Books Referencing the RMS Baltic; Advertisements; Article: The New White Star Liner Baltic - 1904.
RMS Britannic Archival Collection
Britannic (1874) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Britannic (1930) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Passage Contracts, Tickets, and Receipts; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Sailing Schedules; Photographs; Books; Advertisements; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Other Ephemera; Article: Disipline on the SS Britannic - 1889.
SS Canopic Archival Collection
Canopic (1900) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Sailing Schedules; Title Pages; Senior Officers and Staff; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Photographs; Services; Books Referencing the SS Canopic; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Changes under the Morgan Combine - 1903; Steamship Canopic - 1908.
RMS Cedric Archival Collection
Cedric (1903) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Sailing Schedules; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Photographs; Books Referencing the RMS Cedric.
RMS Celtic Archival Collection
Celtic (1872) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Celtic (1901) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Menus; Programs; Passage Contracts, Tickets, and Receipts; Autographs; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Sailing Schedules; Photographs; Postcards; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Services; Time at Sea; Lights and Distances; Books Referencing the RMS Celtic.
SS Corinthic Archival Collection
Ephemera for the SS Corinthic available may include Passenger Lists, Menus, Brochures, Sailing Schedules, Route Maps, Photographs, and more.
Cretic (1902) While Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Sailing Schedules; Photographs; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Services; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Books Referencing the SS Cretic.
Cymric (1898) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Photographs; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Sailing Schedules; Other Ephemera; Services; Books Referencing the SS Cymric.
Doric (1923) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Title Pages; Wireless Technology; Postal Information; Programs; Landing Instructions; Fleet List; Lights and Distances; Time at Sea; Services; Sailing Schedules; Illustrations and Paintings; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Back Cover Images; Advertisements; Books Referencing the SS Doric; Photographs; Deck Plans.
MV Georgic Archival Collection
Georgic (1932) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Menus; Sailing Schedules; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Guides; Advertisements; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Stationery; Autographs; Books Referencing the MV Georgic.
SS Germanic Archival Collection
Ephemera for the SS Germanic available may include Passenger Lists, Menus, Brochures, Sailing Schedules, Route Maps, Photographs, and more.
RMS Homeric Archival Collection
RMS Homeric (1914) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Illustrations and Paintings; Guides; Sailing Schedules; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Title Pages; Senior Officers and Staff; Landing Instructions; Services; Wireless Technology; Time at Sea; Lights and Distances; Fleet List; Books Referencing the RMS Homeric; Advertisements; Other Ephemera; Officers Sleeve Stripes; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Photographs; The New Steamship "Homeric" of the White Star Line (1922).
Postcard of the SS Ionic (Top Image), Ionic (1902) Shaw Savill Line Ship's History (Brief), Ionic (1902) White Star Line (British) Ship's History (Brief), Brochures, Books Referencing the SS Ionic.
SS Laurentic Archival Collection
Laurentic (1909) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); All the Gold on the SS Laurentic - 1917; Laurentic (1927) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); White Star Liner — S. S. Laurentic - 1927; Passenger Lists; Menus; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Photographs; Deck Plans; Embarkation/Debarkation Notices; Sailing Schedules; Advertisements; Services; Title Pages; Other Ephemera; Wireless Technology; Books Referencing the RMS Laurentic.
RMS Majestic Archival Collection
Majestic (1890) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Majestic (1921) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Books Referencing the RMS Majestic; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Sailing Schedules; Building the SS Majestic - 1889; Maiden Voyage of RMS Majestic - 1922; Photographs; Posters; Advertisements; and Services.
SS Megantic Archival Collection
Megantic (1909) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief), Passenger Lists, Brochures, Sailing Schedules, Photographs, Advertisements, Books Referencing the SS Megantic.
RMS Oceanic Archival Collection
Oceanic (1870) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Oceanic (1899) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Menus; Sailing Schedules; Immigrant Documents; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Title Pages; Fleet List; Photographs; Illustrations and Paintings; Books; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Other Ephemera; Launch of the White Star Steamer RMS Oceanic - 1899.
RMS Olympic Archival Collection
The "First Lady" of the Sea; Olympic (1911) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Programs; Immigrant Documents; Passage Rates; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Sailing Schedules; Photographs; Illustrations and Paintings; Deck Plans; Books; Advertisements; Services.
Ephemera for the SS Persic available may include Passenger Lists, Menus, Brochures, Sailing Schedules, Route Maps, Photographs, and more.
SS Pittsburgh Archival Collection
Pittsburgh (1922) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Title Pages; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Sailing Schedules; Illustrations and Paintings; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; The White Star Liner RMS Pittsburgh - 1922; Maiden Voyage of the White Star Liner Pittsburgh - 1922.
Regina (1918) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Menus; Sailing Schedules.
SS Republic Archival Collection
Republic (1900) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Republic (1907) United States Lines Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Menus; Programs; Fleet List; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Services; Sailing Schedules; Photographs; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Books; Changes under the Morgan Combine - 1903.
SS Romanic Archival Collection
Romanic (1898) White Star Line Ship History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Photographs; Sailing Schedules; Services; Changes under the Morgan Combine - 1903.
RMS Teutonic Archival Collection
Teutonic (1889) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Passenger Lists; Brochures; Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs; Sailing Schedules; Photographs; Services; Advertisements; Excerpts from Information for Passengers; Other Ephemera; Books Referencing the RMS Teutonic; Teutonic - 1889 - Ship Information and History.
RMS Titanic Archival Collection
Titanic (1911) White Star Line Ship's History (Brief); Topical Index Profusely illustrated topics include Planning, Building, and Launching; Officers; Crew Members; Provisions & Cargo; Manifests & Passenger Lists; Fashions On Board; Titanic Lifeboats - 1912; Anatomy of the Disaster; Victims; Survivors; Aftermath; American Inquiry and Titanic Investigation - 1912; Book Collection; Ephemera and Reproductions; Magazines and Journals; Movies and Motion Pictures; Collectibles & Memorabilia; Memorials; Documentary Videos; Huge Image Library; RMS Titanic Images - Charts, Tables, Diagrams, Graphs, Maps; and RMS Titanic Images - Deck Plans; Books Referencing the RMS Titanic; Passage Rates.
Return to Content Links
Many of our brochures cover one ship only and can be found through the vessels listed in the first section. Below are brochures that cover the French Line or Multiple Ships.
1907 - White Star Line Fleet, History, and Services
Excellent brochure from the White Star Line covering all three classes of services at the height of the transatlantic immigrant trade. Profusely illustrated with many photographs of the ships and accommodations.
1909 - The Famous Big 4 - New York-Liverpool Service
This 8-Page White Star Line brochure on the Famous Big 4 of the New York Liverpool Service - The Adriatic, Baltic, Cedric, and Celtic, is packed with incredible photographs (Interior and exterior) some with actual passengers. Includes information on the ships and their accommodations.
1928 - Tourist Third Cabin & Third Class - WSL Canadian Service
Tourist Third Cabin and Third Class Views, Plans, and General Information for the SS Laurentic, SS Albertic, SS Calgaric, SS Megantic, SS Doric, and SS Regina. 25 Photographs, mainly interior views and Deck Plans for the Albertic, Megantic, Laurentic, Calgaric, Doric, and Regina.
1928 - Popular Tours to Europe - Beale Tours - WSL Canadian Service
White Star Line Canadian Service. Informational brochure details several different European tours with Itineraries and Costs. Steamship Interior Photos included: Dining Room, Smoking Room, Ladies' Lounge, Dance Hall, Two-Berth Cabin with Settee, and Lounge, all from Tourist Third Class (Ship's Not Identified). An illustration of SS Laurentic (1927) and an advertisement with a photo of a European Standard Suitcase (27.5 x 14.5 x 8 inches).
1930 - White Star Line To Boston and New York in Third Class
Translated from a 1930 Dutch brochure on third-class accommodations on the "Big Four" - the Britannic, Baltic, Cedric, and Adriatic, with many interior photographs to document this class of travel in 1930.
Return to Content Links
White Star Line Route Map, 1914. GGA Image ID # 1d61c1a1ac
Return to Content Links
1892-04-13 Speical Notice To Booking Agents of the White Star Line
Special Notice To Booking Agents of the White Star Line From the Passenger Department, Liverpool, 13 April 1892.
White Star Line Fleet, Services, Principal Offices (Global), 1914. GGA Image ID # 1d61d09b68. Click to View Larger Image.
Return to Content Links
White Star Line - 1911
The White Star flag, a symbol of maritime excellence, was initially raised over a fleet of Australian clippers, marking the company's early foray into the Atlantic trade. In 1867, the flag came under the stewardship of Mr. Thomas Ismay. He, along with his firm, Messrs. Ismay, Imrie, and Co., established the Oceanic Steam Navigation Co., popularly known as the White Star Line, in 1869. They initiated a service of top-tier passenger and mail steamers between Liverpool and New York.
The history of the White Star Line is a testament to rapid progress, with significant milestones marking its journey. It all began with the Oceanic, a vessel of 3,807 tons and 430 ft. long, which embarked on its maiden voyage to New York in March 1871.
Today, the White Star Line boasts a formidable fleet of 30 steamers, totaling over 350,000 tons. Each steamer carries a cargo that surpasses that of any other company. The company proudly owns three of the largest vessels in the world—the Baltic (24,000 tons), the Cedric and Celtic (21,000 tons)—and the renowned Oceanic (17,274 tons).
The fleet comprises 18 vessels, each with a gross register of over 10,000 tons. The company has been under contract for the carriage of mail since 1877 and, in that year, held a record for the Atlantic with the Britannic, which succeeded in reducing the previous best Atlantic passage by three hours, her time being 7 days, 10 hours, and 50 minutes.
In 1889-90, the Teutonic and the Majestic were built, and they were the first merchant ships constructed with a view of their being used as auxiliary cruisers in times of war.
In 1899, the Oceanic, the largest ship afloat, was launched from Messrs. Harland and Wolff's yard at Belfast. She made her maiden voyage on September 6, 1899. With the advent of the Celtic II. (20,904 tons), which sailed from Liverpool for New York on her maiden voyage on July 6, 1901; the company possessed the largest steamship in the world.
The Celtic II has been surpassed in size by the Cedric (21,035 tons), to be in her turn eclipsed by the Baltic, with a length of 725 ft. 9 in., the longest ship afloat, and having accommodation for nearly 3,000 passengers, besides quarters for a crew of 350; and, finally, the Adriatic, a vessel of 24,oon tons, which sailed on her maiden voyage June 5, 1907.
Since June 1907, the Wednesday Royal United States Mail Service has sailed from Southampton instead of Liverpool. This change enabled travelers to embark and disembark at a Continental or British port.
The steamers leave Southampton every Wednesday morning, calling at Cherbourg the same afternoon, and then proceed to Queenstown to take the mail on board.
Homeward-bound steamers leave New York every Wednesday and steam direct to Plymouth, where mails and passengers are landed; from thence to Cherbourg and end the voyage at Southampton.
In addition to the mail, passenger, and cargo services to New York and Boston, the most popular branch of the line is the Australian service, which only takes one passenger class.
The five twin-screw steamers on the run each have a 12,000-ton gross register, making them the largest in the trade despatched from the United Kingdom. They leave Liverpool every four weeks for Albany, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, calling at Cape Town on the outward voyage.
Homewards, they touch Durban, Cape Town, and Teneriffe, landing passengers for the United Kingdom at Plymouth and London. In conjunction with the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Co., Ltd., the White Star Line has a monthly sailing from London to New Zealand, and among the steamers engaged in this service are three over 12,000 tons—the largest in the trade.
The outward voyage is made via Teneriffe, Cape Town, and Tasmania, and the homeward via Cape Horn, Rio de Janeiro, and Teneriffe; passengers for the United Kingdom landed at Plymouth and London.
The company also has steamers in the Trans-Pacific service between San Francisco, Honolulu, Japan, and China, managed by the Occidental and Oriental Steamship Co.
Fleet
American Services. Mail and Passenger Steameis.
New York.
- Adriatic, twin screw, 24,000 tons
- Oceanic, twin screw, 17,274 tons
- Majestic, twin screw, 10,000 tons
- Teutonic, twin screw, 10,000 tons
- Baltic, twin screw, 24,000
- Cedric, twin scew, 21,000
- Celtic, twin screw, 21,000
- Cretic, twin screw, 13,507
Boston
- Arabic, twin screw, 15,801
- Republic, twin screw, 15,378
- Canopic, twin screw, 12,096
- Romanic, twin screw, 11,394
- Cymric, twin screw, 13,096
Freight and Livestock Steamers
- Georgic, twin screw, 10,077 tons
- Cevic, twin screw, 9,301 tons
- Bovic, twin screw, 6,583 tons
Colonial Services
New Zealand
- Athenic, twin screw, 12,234 tons
- Corinthic, twin screw, 12,231
- Ionic, twin screw, 12,234
- Gothic, twin screw,7,755
- Delphic, twin screw, 8,273
Australia
- Afric, twin screw, 11,948 tons
- Medic, twin screw, 11,984
- Runic, twin screw, 12,482
- Suvic, twin screw, 12,500
- Persic, twin screw, 11,974
- Cufic, twin screw, 8,200
- Tropic, twin screw, 8,200
Pacific Service
- Doric, 4,676
- Coptic 4,356
Tenders
- Magnetic, twin screw (passenger) 619 tons
- Pontic (baggage)
Colonial Services. New Zealand. Ma1estic, twin screw Teutonic, twin screw 'Baltic, twin screw 'Cedric, twin screw 'Celtic, twin screw Cretic, twin screw tons. 17.274 1o,ooo 1o,ooo 24,ooo 21,ooo 21.ooo 13.5o7 • Four of the largest vessels in the world. Boston. 'Arabic, twin screw 'Republic twin screw . . Canopic, twin screw . . Romanic , twin screw . . Cymric, twin screw • The two largest vessels in the Boston trade. 15,8o1 tons. 15,378 „ 12,096 11.394 .. 13,096 Freight and Live-Stoch Steamers. Georgic, twin screw .. .. 1o,o77 tons. Cevic, twin screw . . . . 8,3o1 Bovic, twui screw .. .. 6,583 Colonial Services. New Zealand. Oceanic, twin screw Ma1estic, twin screw Teutonic, twin screw 'Baltic, twin screw 'Cedric, twin screw 'Celtic, twin screw Cretic, twin screw tons. 17.274 1o,ooo 1o,ooo 24,ooo 21,ooo 21.ooo 13.5o7 • Four of the largest vessels in the world. Boston. 'Arabic, twin screw 'Republic twin screw . . Canopic, twin screw . . Romanic , twin screw . . Cymric, twin screw • The two largest vessels in the Boston trade. 15,8o1 tons. 15,378 „ 12,o96 11.394 .. 13.o96 Freight and Live-Stoch Steamers. Georgic, twin screw .. .. 1o,o77 tons. Cevic, twin screw . . . . 8,3o1 Bovic, twui screw .. .. 6,583 'Athenic, twin screw 'Corinthic, twin screw 'Ionic, twin screw Gothic, twin screw Delphic, twin screw 12,234 tons. 12,231 12,234 „ 7,755 „ 8.273 .. • The three largest vessels in the New Zealand trade. Australia. 'Afric, twin screw 'Medic, twin screw 'Runic, twin screw 'Suevic, twin screw 'Persic, twin screw Cufic, twin screw Tropic, twin screw tons.. . 11 ,948 11,984 12,482 12,5oo .. ",974 .. 8,2oo 8,2oo • The largest vessels sailing from the United Kingdom in the Australian trade. Pacific Service. Doric . . . . . . . . 4,676 tons. Coptic . . . . . . . . 4,356 Tenders. Magnetic, twin screw (passenger) 619 tons. Pontic (baggage) . . . . 365
