Before the start of WW1 the growing rivalry between the German empire and Great Britain led to the construction of the largest passenger liners in the world by German and British leading steamship companies.
On 23 May 1912 the Hamburg based liner company HAPAG had the first of three giant Atlantic liners launched at the Vulkan Yard. Named IMPERATOR this 52.117 GRT, 277,1 meters long (909 feet) giant could carry 4.794 passengers in four classes, her 74.000 SHP steam turbines geared to four screws allowing a 23-knot service speed.
While fitting out, in Hamburg, a large eagle was added to the IMPERATOR's bow in order to claim the title of largest ship in the world, when it was known the exact length of the new Cunarder AQUITANIA, launched in Clydebank on 21-04-1913. The length overall of the British liner was 274.8 meters (901 ft.), so the eagle was the best that could be done to make the IMPERATOR 8 feet longer at 909 feet.
The IMPERATOR's eagle did not last for long however, as the stormy North Atlantic smashed the proud German bird on one of the her first crossings in the summer of 1913 and it was never replaced. After WW1 the IMPERATOR was allocated to Cunard as a replacement to the LUSITANIA and sailed under Cunard colours between 1921 and 1938 as the BERENGARIA.
Text and images copyright L.M.Correia. For other posts and images, check our archive at the right column of the main page. Thanks for your visit and comments. Luís Miguel Correia
On 23 May 1912 the Hamburg based liner company HAPAG had the first of three giant Atlantic liners launched at the Vulkan Yard. Named IMPERATOR this 52.117 GRT, 277,1 meters long (909 feet) giant could carry 4.794 passengers in four classes, her 74.000 SHP steam turbines geared to four screws allowing a 23-knot service speed.
While fitting out, in Hamburg, a large eagle was added to the IMPERATOR's bow in order to claim the title of largest ship in the world, when it was known the exact length of the new Cunarder AQUITANIA, launched in Clydebank on 21-04-1913. The length overall of the British liner was 274.8 meters (901 ft.), so the eagle was the best that could be done to make the IMPERATOR 8 feet longer at 909 feet.
The IMPERATOR's eagle did not last for long however, as the stormy North Atlantic smashed the proud German bird on one of the her first crossings in the summer of 1913 and it was never replaced. After WW1 the IMPERATOR was allocated to Cunard as a replacement to the LUSITANIA and sailed under Cunard colours between 1921 and 1938 as the BERENGARIA.
Text and images copyright L.M.Correia. For other posts and images, check our archive at the right column of the main page. Thanks for your visit and comments. Luís Miguel Correia
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