Welcome to the introductory post of this site! I run a pop culture site called powerpop.blog. I didn’t feel like what I’m going to be talking about really belonged there. I have a huge passion for these ships and would love to learn and grow more in this area. I want to start out with the big 3 Olympic-class ships of the White Star Line in the early 20th Century. That is not to say we won’t be talking about other non-steam ships like the Edmund Fitzgerald and bounce between the two like the RMS Empress of Ireland (often called Canada’s Titanic). There is room for all, but I would like to center it around the old steam ships. This won’t be a blog where I post every day. At first, I will try to make it consistent but not overbearing because I don’t have that kind of time.
My love of old steam ships started with the Titanic when I was a kid in the seventies and eighties. I would also read about the Olympic and Britannic, and how luxurious they were. They were not a huge party boat on water like modern cruise ships. They were refined and a way to get to the New World in style. They were elegant, beautiful, and regal. White Star Line didn’t make most of its money from the rich; it made it with 3rd-class passengers traveling to different countries. It was said that the Titanic’s third class were widely considered to be the equivalent of, or even superior to, second class other ships, it’s second class was like first class on other ships, and its 1st class was magnificent.
We will dive into all three ships, The White Star Line, The Cunard Line, and other ships at that time. What made me love these ships was the classic look that never gets old to me. Also, the interior that they used. Below I’ll drop some pics of the interior the Olympic. When you see the main grand staircase, yes, it’s the Olympic. No known picture exists of Titanic’s grand staircase, but it was said to be nearly identical. There were differences, though, in the ships, and we will get into that as well.
See you on the next post!
Here is something that The White Star Line would have LOVED to have seen but sadly it never happened. Of course this picture is not real.
Discover more from Old Steam Ships
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
So the new site is down the slipway and launched Max? Bon voyage.
And away we go! We will see if it stays afloat!
ritzy looking interiors! If I had money & time, I think I’d sort of like sailing across to England in an updated version. Prefer it to flying. But who has 10 days or so when you could do it inside of 8 hours by plane (or less than the duration of one long concert for Phil Collins!)
Well they could do it in 5 days back then…or 6 at the most. At the time though…they connected the world together I would think. No planes and I don’t think telephones could make an international call. I just looked it up…the first time offered commercially was 1927.
Good luck, Max! Looks fun.
Thanks I appreciate it! I’ll probably need all the luck I can get!
The interiors are magnificent! I can’t even imagine how much money went into the making and decorating of those ships. They are just incredible. Good luck with your new site, Max. I look forward to your next installment.
Thank you so much Nancy! It’s breathtaking on how great it looked. It cost them 7.5 million back then to build her.
Also…if your husband has any stories to tell…I would be honored to publish them…of course you probably would on your blog!
That’s a nice chunk of change for sure! My husband is very interested in this subject, but his work on boats is limited to much smaller, privately owned pleasure crafts and fishing boats. ⛵️
Yes it was…I looked it up…to make the Titanic today with everything they did…it would be around a billion. It looked more like a 5 star hotel.
Ok…I hope he enjoys some of these stories. I’m looking for contributors as well. I’m learning and researching.
Would it be ok with you if I occasionally write a story to go with some of your impressive photos? I would provide a link back to your blog, of course.
Of course, Nancy! Anytime you want.
I would greatly appreciate it.
Cool, Max. It will be fun. Thanks!
love the interiors of these and would have loved to travel on one of these
Oh me as well…nothing against the cruises…this looks in a different league.
Love the theme you picked, perfect for the content. Look forward to reading more, Max! Enjoy your new venture!
Thanks so much Dana…I will enjoy it…if I can get enough content!
There is so much history there, you’ve only discovered the tip of the iceberg! 😆
Oh that is bad Dana! LOL…
😁
“Permission to come aboard?” S. Clemmens.
Permission granted! This should be fun. “I would rather sink a steamboat than eat, any time.”
Was that Twain?
Yes it was… in a letter to one of his friends.
Good one fella. I love sea/river stories. I will be around for the adventures.
Thanks CB I really appreciate it. I’m over my head but that’s alright…I’m learning. The Maritime world is just a different world completely….and another vocabulary. Some hard men in that field.
I read Twains ‘Life on the Mississippi ‘ a while ago. Those guys he trained on the steamers under were had men. Just reading ‘Heart Of Darkness’ main character is heading up the river in an old steamer and it’s a pretty dicey trip. Sand Pebbles? Great flick with McQueen being a steam lover. I’m fully aboard Max. Non – steam adventures are in my scope also.
I need to read that…I have it somewhere. I’ve read a few of his shorts and of course Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. I love his style and his use of words.
Yea…steam is my love but yes I’m open to it all. We will start in New Zealand on Friday.
I’ve never seen The Sand Pebbles…it’s ON my list now. Right up my alley. Heart of Darkness? Is that Conrad?
Yes it really gives a good account on a piece of forgotten history. The skill of navigating those boats up the river. Where he took his pen name.
McQueen is fantastic He really did love engines and it comes across in the film.
Yes Conrad. He was a sea going man. A lot of his stories take place on ships. I love those adventures, both non-fiction and fiction. The Artic trips are really interesting. See u Friday.
When I think of steam ships I think more of Mississippi River Boats. I am forever a John Hartford fan. But you have kindled a delight in these bigger ships so here I am. Looking forward to it.
Does this mean there may be a blog dedicated to maternal Sheep Dogs soon?
LOL…no sheep dogs yet…no boat or ship is off limits here. The Steam-Paddleboats from that period as well…the big steamships are just my love. The John Harford is REALLY cool. All will be included.
Arthur…I love ships but other than a few like Titanic, Edmund Fitzgerald, Lusitania, and a few others…they don’t really cross over to the pop culture area. My personal favorite is the Olympic and the RMS Empress of Ireland… Friday I plan on a shipwreck in New Zealand in the 60s.
There are a ton of stories on ships, sailors, and shipwrecks.
Arthur…I’m an idiot! I was thinking of a ship! My fault!