Balch Online Resources

CUNARD LINE

In July, 1840, ``Britannia" of the renowned Cunard Line broke all records by crossing the Atlantic in twelve days.

Cunard Line remained highly competitive in the years after by launching faster and more luxurious ships such as ``Servia", ``Etruria", and later the ``Lusitania" and ``Mauretania".  In 1934, Cunard Line merged with White Star Line.

Cunard Line's ``Aquitania", weighing over 46,000 tons, was completed in 1914 and was the largest of the Cunard liners until the construction of ``Queen Mary" and ``Queen Elizabeth".  Below is a lunch menu dated 28 April 1921 from ``Aquitania".  On this particular voyage the ``Aquitania" traveled from Southampton, Great Britain to New York City, arriving at the latter on 30 April 1921.

Cunard Line lunch menu

NATIONAL LINE

Below are two advertisements for the National Line of steamships which sailed between Liverpool, Great Britain; Queenstown, Ireland; and New York City.  Twelve ships are listed on the flier to the left, and ``Spain", completed in 1871, is said to be ``NEW".  This ad also lists passage rates and boasts that National Line steamers are ``some of the largest and finest Steamers afloat" with ``recent additions to the fleet ... equal in speed to any of the Steamers of the other lines  ...the most comfortable sea boats."

National Line launced its largest vessel, ``America", in 1884.  Read the advertisement listing locations at which Agents Rider & Cortis conducted currency exchange on the right.

National Line advertisement and rates National Line currency exchange

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