1925 The largest motorship in the world
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The 22,048-ton passenger and cargo ship Asturias (Yard No. 507) was launched today for Royal Mail Steam Packet Meat Transports Ltd; the christening ceremony was performed by the Duchess of Abercorn. The vessel, originally laid down without a name, was the largest and most powerful motor liner in the world. Her four-cycle double acting diesel engines the largest constructed to date and represented a significant engineering triumph, signalling as it did the ending of the steam powered era.
1930 Britannic III first arrival in New York
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First arrival of the White Star Line motor vessel Britannic III (Yard No. 807) at New York having completed the voyage in 7 days and 13 hours at just under 16 knots.
Britannic arrived at Quarantine at midnight on the 6th and anchored there for the night. She was the first vessel of a large fleet waiting to be passed by the health officials. A group of newspaper men and photographers also boarded the vessel, reporting her passage to her berth.
Captain F. F. Summers said from a Commander’s point of view the ship handled well and from the passengers point of view there was ‘an illusion of fine weather all the way.’
Sir Ronald Lindsay, the British Ambassador, came from Washington to witness the arrival of the ship. A reception, a celebration dinner and public inspection were all arranged while Britannic was at New York.
1885 Britannic's 100th Atlantic round trip
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The White Star liner Britannic (Yard No. 83) completed her 100th round voyage between Liverpool and New York under the command of Captain Hugh Hamilton Perry.
1910 Gloucestershire
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The 8,324-ton passenger and cargo ship Gloucestershire (Yard No. 411) was launched today for the Bibby Steamship co., Liverpool.
1914 Orbita
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The 15,678-ton passenger and cargo ship Orbita (Yard No. 440) was launched today for the Pacific Steam Navigation Co., Liverpool. The vessel was laid down as Orduna, but during construction the name was changed.
1959 Royal Mail's Amazon
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The 20,348-ton passenger and cargo ship Amazon (Yard No. 1594) was launched today for Royal Mail Lines Ltd., the first of a class of three sister ships and with Canberra (Yard No. 1621) this group were the last passengers liners built by Harland & Wolff. (see: Advert Archive)