A brief history as of 1935
The vast new Cunard / White Star liner Queen Mary represents the supreme triumph of naval architecture and marine engineering, in the development of which both fleets have played such a noteworthy part. Complete success attended the launching ceremony, which was performed in the presence of their Majesties the King and Queen, on September 26th, 1934, and it is expected that the ship will be completed early in 1936, when she will be placed in commission on the Cunard White Star service from Southampton and Cherbourg to New York.
THE CUNARD LINE
The Cunard Line was inaugurated in 1840, the pioneer vessel being the "Britannia," a wooden paddle steamer, 207 feet in length and with a gross tonnage of 1,154 tons. Her maiden voyage from Liverpool to Halifax and Boston on July 4th, 1840, marked the inauguration of regular steam communication across the Atlantic.
The gradual development of the Cunard Company from that time to the present day practically represents the progress of the shipping industry generally; while in the substitution of new ships of superior type the advance of science in relation to the steamship and marine engines may be closely followed.
To meet the needs of the ever-increasing Atlantic service, the Cunard fleet was continually improved and increased. Each successive decade saw liners of greater speed and size and luxury being placed in commission.
After the war an enormous expansion in the Company's service took place. Thirteen new vessels, ranging from 14,000 to 20,000 tons, were constructed, their aggregate tonnage being nearly a quarter of a million. These ships were the " Carinthia," "Franconia, "Scythia," "Laconia," and "Samaria", all 20,000 ton liners which carry cabin, tourist-class and third-class passengers. Liners which also carry these three classes of passengers include the 16,500 ton ship Lancastria," and six 14,000 ton ships, the "Aurania," "Ascania," Alaunia," Ausonia," Antonia," and "Andania."
The Cunard Company's service to the Mediterranean, Black Sea and Adriatic ports of call has been considerably extended and now embraces the principal ports of the United Kingdom and Northern Europe and also those of the eastern seaboard of America.
The Cunard Company's associated lines include the Anchor Line, Anchor-Brocklebank Line, Anchor-Donaldson and Well Lines, and the Commonwealth and Dominion Lines.
THE WHITE STAR LINE
The White Star Line was established in 1869 by the late Mr. Thomas Henry Ismay, who formed the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company to provide a line of first-class steamers on the transatlantic service under the famous White Star flag, formerly known on the Australian run.
The launching of the second Oceanic," in 1899, was an augury of the coming of the big ship, and it is interesting to remember that she was the first vessel constructed after the Great Eastern to exceed that famous ship in length. As the years went on, came the "Celtic" and "Cedric" of 21,227 tons: the "Baltic," 23,884 tons: "Adriatic," 24,679 tons; "Olympic," 46,439 tons;" Homeric,"~ 34,351 tons; and "Majestic," 56,621 tons.
For many years the Company's chief sailings were from Liverpool to New York, but in 1907 mail steamers on this service were transferred to Southampton.
In June, 1930, the motor liner "Britannic," 27,000 tons was put into commission ; and two years later the "Georgic," 27,500 tons, entered the service thus bringing into operation the largest British-built motor liners.
CUNARD WHITE STAR LINE
The Cunard White Star Line maintains an express service from Southampton to New York with the Majestic," " Berengaria," Olympic," and Aquitania "; whilst a fleet of new and luxurious liners is engaged in passenger and freight services to United States and Canada from. Liverpool, London, and Southampton, Queenstown, Belfast, Glasgow, and Galway.
To meet the increasing popularity of cruising in great liners, the Cunard White Star Line also maintains throughout the year pleasure trips to all parts of the World, ranging from periods of a few days to six months.
The fleet of the new merger Company represents well over half a million gross tons.
Source: The Port of Liverpool: The Gateway of the West, ninth edition, �1935, p.140