10 facts about transatlantic ocean travel

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The only true transatlantic ocean liner still in operation today is Cunard's RMS Queen Mary 2 Credit: Reuters

Ocean liners like the SS United States were once the main form of transatlantic travel, but as aircraft technology improved in the aftermath of World War Two, they became increasingly obsolete.

Here are 10 facts about transatlantic ocean travel:

  • In 1843 the SS Great Britain, fitted with a 1,000 horse power steam engine, became the first iron-hulled ship to cross the Atlantic. It was also the first ocean-going ship to be fitted with a screw propeller. Considered a daring innovation at the time, it was the brainchild of the celebrated British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, known for his contribution to Britain's railways.

Now common on ocean going vessels, the screw propeller was once a daring innovation Credit: Reuters

  • Liverpool-based shipping company Cunard, founded in 1839 by Canadian businessman Samuel Cunard, was awarded the first British steamship contract to deliver mail between the UK and the US.

  • The Titanic, one of three 'Olympic class' ocean liners, built to be the largest and most luxurious liners making the transatlantic journey, never completed its trip across the Atlantic, sinking in 1912 after it struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage. More than 1,500 passengers and crew were killed.

The Titanic sank in 1912 on her maiden voyage Credit: PA Archive

  • While transatlantic passenger liners are now largely a thing of the past, the James Cameron film about the sinking of the Titanic did gave a boost to cruise operators. The US cruise ship industry has an estimated annual revenue of about $39 billion.

  • Cunard's Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, both transatlantic vessels, were commandeered for Britain's war effort in 1940. Adolf Hitler promised a reward and the Knight's Cross to any U-boat captain who sunk either ship.

  • The unofficial award given to a cruise liner that makes the fastest westbound transatlantic crossing is known as the Blue Riband.

The SS United States holds the record for the fastest transatlantic trip by a passenger liner Credit: PA

  • The record for the fastest transatlantic liner crossing is held by the SS United States, which made the eastbound crossing in three days, 10 hours and 40 minutes. She also holds a Blue Riband, for making the westbound crossing in three days, 12 hours and 12 minutes.

  • By the mid-20th century air travel had overtaken ocean liners as the predominant mode of transatlantic transport. British pilots John Alcock and Arthur Brown made the first non-stop transatlantic flight in 1919. The pair made the flight from Newfoundland to Ireland in a modified Vickers Vimy aircraft in just under 16 hours.

The QE2 is left Southampton for the last time in 2008, and is now permanently docked in Dubai Credit: PA Archive

  • One of the famous transatlantic vessels, the QE2 - short for the Queen Elizabeth 2 - is now permanently docked in Dubai, having been bought by the emirate in 2008 to be turned into a floating hotel.

The Oasis of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in operation today, is built to carry more than 6,000 passengers Credit: Reuters

  • The largest cruise ship in operation today is the Oasis of the Seas. Weighing 225,282 tonnes she can can carry more than 6,000 passengers, but the ship does not ply the transatlantic route, instead it offers cruises in the Caribbean.

  • In fact, the only true transatlantic ocean liner still in operation today is Cunard's RMS Queen Mary 2.