View source for Blue Riband

{{short description|Unofficial award given to passenger liners with the fastest westbound transatlantic crossings}}
{{other uses|Blue ribbon (disambiguation)|Blue Riband (disambiguation)}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2010}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
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| caption1 = {{SS|United States}}, last winner of the Blue Riband. Formally, she still holds the title
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| caption2 = Cunard's {{RMS|Mauretania|1906|2}}. She held the Blue Riband for the second-longest period of any ship, for 20 years, from 1909 to 1929
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The '''Blue Riband''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|r|ɪ|b|ə|n|d}}) is an unofficial accolade given to the [[Passenger ship|passenger liner]] crossing the Atlantic Ocean in regular service with the record highest [[Velocity|average speed]]. The term was borrowed from [[horse racing]] and was not widely used until after 1910.<ref name=kludas>{{cite book |last=Kludas |first = Arnold |title = Record Breakers of the North Atlantic, Blue Riband Liners 1838–1952 |location = London |publisher = Chatham |year = 2000 |isbn = 1-86176-141-4 }}{{page needed|date=August 2019}}</ref><ref name=fox>{{cite book |last = Fox |first = Stephen |title = Transatlantic: Samuel Cunard, Isambard Brunel and the Great Atlantic Steamships |location = New York |publisher = HarperCollins |year = 2003 |isbn = 0-06-019595-9 |url-access = registration |url = https://archive.org/details/transatlanticsam00foxs }}{{page needed|date=August 2019}}</ref> The record is based on average speed rather than passage time because ships follow different routes.<ref name=gibbs>{{cite book |last = Gibbs |first = Charles Robert Vernon |title = Passenger Liners of the Western Ocean: A Record of Atlantic Steam and Motor Passenger Vessels from 1838 to the Present Day |location = London |publisher = Staples Press |year = 1957 |oclc = 225962096 }}{{page needed|date=August 2019}}</ref> 
Also, eastbound and westbound speed records are reckoned separately, as the more difficult westbound record voyage, against the [[Gulf Stream]] and the prevailing weather systems, typically results in lower average speeds.<ref name=Bonsor1866>{{cite book |last = Bonsor |first = Noel |year = 1980 |title = North Atlantic Seaway: An Illustrated History of the Passenger Services Linking the Old World with the New |volume= 5|pages = 1866–71 |publisher = Brookside Publications |location = Cambridge |isbn = 0-905824-04-0 }}</ref><ref group=Note>Kludas states that only westbound records counted for the Blue Riband, though this contradicts the other main sources on the subject (e.g. Lee, Gibbs, Bonsor, and contemporary news sources) which are clear that records in both directions qualified for the accolade.</ref>

Of the 35 Atlantic liners to hold the Blue Riband, 25 were British, followed by five German, three American, as well as one each from Italy and France. Thirteen were [[Cunard Line|Cunarders]] (plus [[RMS Queen Mary|''Queen Mary'']] of Cunard White Star), five by [[White Star Line|White Star]], with four owned by [[Norddeutscher Lloyd]], two by [[Collins Line|Collins]], two by [[Inman Line|Inman]] and two by [[Guion Line|Guion]], and one each by [[British and American Steam Navigation Company|British American]], [[Great Western Steamship Company|Great Western]], [[Hamburg America Line|Hamburg-America]], the [[Italian Line]], [[Compagnie Générale Transatlantique]] and finally the [[United States Lines]].<ref name=kludas />
The record set by ''[[SS United States|United States]]'' in 1952 remains unbroken by any passenger liner. The next-longest period through which the Blue Riband was retained was 19 years, held from 1909 to 1929 by ''Mauretania''. The shortest period was six weeks, by ''Bremen'' from July to August 1933.

Many of these ships were built with substantial government subsidies and were designed with military considerations in mind.<ref name=gibbs /> [[Winston Churchill]] estimated that the two Cunard Queens helped shorten the Second World War by a year.<ref name=graham /> The last Atlantic liner to hold the Blue Riband, the [[SS United States|SS ''United States'']], was designed for her potential use as a troopship as well as her service as a commercial passenger liner.<ref name=gibbs /> There was no formal award until 1935, when [[Harold Hales|Harold K. Hales]] donated the [[Hales Trophy]]; though the rules for the Hales Trophy were different from the traditional rules for the Blue Riband (for example, the Hales Trophy was originally only awarded for westbound records<ref name="Kludas p17">{{harvp|Kludas|2000|p=17}}.</ref>) and changed several times thereafter. It was awarded to just three Blue Riband holders during the express liner era. The trophy continues to be awarded, though many people believe ''United States'' remains as the holder of the Blue Riband,<ref name=kludas136>{{harvp|Kludas|2000|p=136}}</ref> because no subsequent record-breaker was in Atlantic passenger service.

==Background==
The first well-documented crossing of the North Atlantic, though [[List of crossings of the Atlantic Ocean|not the earliest]], was that of [[John Cabot]]'s ship [[Matthew (1497 ship)|''Matthew'']] in the summer of 1497. ''Matthew'' crossed from [[Bristol]] to [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]] in 35 days, returning the following month in just 17 days.<ref>{{cite book |first = Peter |last = Firstbrook |year = 1997 |title = The Voyage of the Matthew |page = 118 |publisher = BBC Books |isbn = 0-563-38764-5 }}</ref>
Over the next three centuries, countless vessels (merchant ships and warships, fast and slow, in peace and war) crossed back and forth over the North Atlantic, all subject to the vagaries of wind and weather. They arrived at port when they could, dependent on the wind, and left when they were loaded, frequently visiting other ports to complete their routes. During this period eastbound passages of 30 and 45 days were not uncommon, while westward passages of 65 to 90 days excited no attention. It was the advent of the steamship, with its independence from wind power, which offered the possibility of regular, scheduled Atlantic crossings, in periods of two to three weeks, that opened a new era of transatlantic travel and competition.<ref>{{harvp|Kludas|2000|p=33}}.</ref>

==History==
The term "Blue Riband of the Atlantic" did not come into use until the 1890s, and the history of the trans-Atlantic competition, which was compiled retrospectively, was regarded as starting with the crossings by the steamships [[SS Sirius (1837)|''Sirius'']] and [[SS Great Western|''Great Western'']] in 1838. Although not the first steamships to cross the Atlantic ([[SS Savannah|''Savannah'']] had crossed in 1819, and [[SS Royal William|''Royal William'']] in 1831) nor the fastest to make the crossing (the [[Packet boat|packet]] sailing ship ''Columbia'' crossed west to east in 15 days 23 hours in 1830,<ref>{{cite book |first = Carl |last = Cutler |year = 1984 |title = Greyhounds of the Sea |publisher = US Naval Institute |isbn =978-0850597288 }}{{page needed|date=August 2019}}</ref> and crossings by sail packets of 16 and 17 days were not unheard of) the ''Sirius'' and ''Great Western'' were the first steamships offering a regular, scheduled trans-Atlantic service; and crucially, they were involved in a race.<ref>{{harvp|Kludas|2000|pp=36–37}}.</ref> Cunard refused officially to recognise the title because racing vessels was not in line with the company's safety policy.<ref>{{cite web |title = The Great Transatlantic Liners |url = http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/archive/rtf/Ships-Great%20Transatlantic%20Liners%2C%20The%20no8.rtf |website = Maritime Archives |publisher = Merseyside Maritime Museum |access-date = 14 November 2017 }}</ref>

===Paddlers (1838–1872)===
[[File:SS Sirius (1837).jpg|thumb|''Sirius'' is considered the first Atlantic record-holder for her 1838 voyage to New York at {{convert|8.03|kn|km/h}}]]
[[File:Great Western maiden voyage.jpg|thumb|In 1843, ''Great Western'' recorded a record-breaking voyage of {{convert|10.03|kn|km/h}}]]
The idea of building a line of transatlantic steamships was mooted in 1832 by [[Junius Smith]], an American lawyer turned London merchant.  The idea came to him during an Atlantic crossing which took 57 days, a not unusual occurrence,<ref>{{harvp|Kludas|2000|p=36}}.</ref> and it was published in the ''American Rail Road Journal''.<ref name=pond>{{cite book |last = Pond |first = Edgar LeRoy |title = Janius Smith |year = 1927 }}{{full citation needed|date=August 2019}}</ref> After receiving no support for several years, his plan gained credibility when Scottish shipbuilder [[Macgregor Laird]] became an investor.<ref name=fox /> Smith, who is often considered the ''Father of the Atlantic Liner'', formed the [[British and American Steam Navigation Company]] to operate a London-New York service. About the same time, the question of Atlantic steamships was discussed at an 1835 director's meeting of the newly formed Great Western Railway when the line's chief engineer, [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]] supposedly joked that the line could be made longer by building a steamship to run between Bristol and New York. The necessary investors were recruited by Brunel's friend, Thomas Guppy, a Bristol engineer and businessman.<ref name=heritage>{{cite book |last = American Heritage |title = The Annihilation of Time and Space |year = 1991 }}{{full citation needed|date=August 2019}}</ref> The next year, the [[Great Western Steamship Company]] was established, even though the rail line was still years from completion.<ref name=corlett>{{cite book |last = Corlett |first = Ewan |title = The Iron Ship: The Story of Brunel's SS ''Great Britain'' | publisher = Conway |year = 1975 }}</ref>

By spring 1838, Brunel's {{SS|Great Western||2}} was ready for sea, but Smith's first ship was still without engines. When Great Western scheduled its initial sailing, Laird suggested that British and American charter the Irish Sea steamer {{SS|Sirius|1837|2}} from the St. George Steam Packet Company for two voyages to beat Great Western.<ref name=heritage /> While the ''Sirius'' left [[Cork (city)|Cork]], Ireland four days before ''Great Western'' departed [[Avonmouth]], ''Great Western'' still came within a day of overtaking ''Sirius'' to New York.<ref name=gibbs /> To complete the voyage, ''Sirius'' was forced to burn spars when coal ran low.<ref name=heritage /> With her westbound crossing at 8.03 [[Knots (speed)|knots]] (14.87 [[km/h]]), ''Sirius'' is often considered the first record holder even though she would have held the record for only one day, until ''Great Western'''s arrival from her even faster crossing. However the notion of a "Blue Riband" would not be used for several decades.<ref name=kludas /> ''Great Western'' herself became the prototype for all successful wooden paddlers and made a record-breaking voyage at {{convert|10.03|kn|km/h}} as late as 1843.<ref name=gibbs />

[[File:RMS Europa.jpg|thumb|right|''Europa'' of 1848 set the record with a voyage of {{convert|11.79|kn|km/h}}. This is one of the earliest known photos of an Atlantic steamship.]]
The [[Cunard Line]] started its Liverpool-Halifax-Boston service in 1840 with the four ships that were slightly reduced versions of ''Great Western'' with about the same speed. Ultimately Cunard built nine additional wood paddlers. By 1846, Cunard was the only original steamship line that survived, largely because of its subsidy from the British Admiralty to carry the mails<ref name=gibbs /> and its emphasis on safety.<ref name=graham>{{cite book |last = Maxtone-Graham |first = John |title = The Only Way To Cross |publisher = Collier |year = 1972 }}{{page needed|date=August 2019}}</ref> Until 1850, the record passed between various Cunarders, finally reaching {{convert|12.25|kn|km/h}} for an 8-day Liverpool-Halifax crossing by ''Asia''.<ref name=Bonsor1872>{{cite book |last = Bonsor |first = Noel |year = 1980 |title = North Atlantic Seaway: An Illustrated History of the Passenger Services Linking the Old World with the New |volume= 5| pages = 1872–1876 |publisher = Brookside Publications |location = Cambridge |isbn = 0-905824-04-0}}</ref> Record voyages during this period were often the result of using sails to gain extra speed from a following gale.<ref name=gibbs />

Cunard's first serious competition for the record came from the American-owned [[Collins Line]].<ref name=gibbs /> The American Government supplied Collins with a substantial subsidy to operate four wooden paddlers that were superior to Cunard's best.<ref name=fry>{{cite book |last = Fry |first = Henry |title = The History of North Atlantic Steam Navigation with Some Account of Early Ships and Shipowners |location = London |publisher=Sampson, Low & Marston |year = 1896 |oclc = 271397492 }}{{page needed|date=August 2019}}</ref> In its first year, 1850, the {{SS|Pacific|1849|2}} set the record at {{convert|12.46|kn|km/h}} on a 10-day run from Liverpool to New York. Unfortunately, Collins suffered a setback when its {{SS|Arctic||2}} foundered with heavy loss of life.<ref name=gibbs /> The next year, Cunard put further pressure on Collins by commissioning its first iron-hulled paddler, the [[RMS Persia|''Persia'']], which set a new record with a 9-day, 16-hour Liverpool–New York voyage at {{convert|13.11|kn|km/h}}.<ref name=Bonsor1872 /> During the [[Crimean War]], Cunard supplied eleven of its ships for war service and suspended all routes except the Liverpool–Halifax–Boston service.<ref name=fry /> While the Collins' fortunes improved because of the lack of competition during the war, Collins collapsed in 1858 after the loss of two additional steamers.<ref name=gibbs /> Cunard emerged as the leading carrier of first-class passengers and in 1862 commissioned the [[RMS Scotia|''Scotia'']], the last paddle steamer to set a record with a Queenstown-New York voyage at {{convert|14.46|kn|km/h}}. ''Scotia'' was the final significant paddler ordered for the Atlantic because under the terms of Cunard's mail contract with the Admiralty, it was still required to supply paddle steamers when needed for military service.<ref name=kludas />

===Single screw steamers (1872–1889)===
[[File:Adriatic (1871).jpg|thumb|White Star's ''Adriatic'' by George Parker Greenwood. She was the first successful screw liner with an 1872 run at {{convert|14.65|kn|km/h}}]]
[[File:RMS Etruria.jpg|thumb|Cunard's ''Etruria'' of 1885, averaged {{convert|19.56|kn|km/h}} on a record-breaking 1888 crossing]]

In 1845, Brunel's {{SS|Great Britain||2}} became the first iron-hulled screw liner on the Atlantic. Starting in 1850, the [[Inman Line]] built numerous reduced versions for the [[steerage (deck)|steerage]] trade. In 1866, Inman started to commission single screw express liners that were the equal of ''Scotia''.<ref name=gibbs /> The Admiralty allowed Cunard to order its first screw express liner, the ''Russia''.<ref name=fry /> In 1871 both companies faced a new rival when the [[White Star Line]] commissioned [[RMS Oceanic (1870)|''Oceanic'']] and her five sisters. The following year, White Star's ''Adriatic'' finally surpassed ''Scotia'' with a voyage at {{convert|14.65|kn|km/h}}.<ref name=Bonsor1872 /> The new White Star record-breakers were especially economical because of their use of compound engines, but their high ratio of length to beam (10:1 compared to the previous norm of 8:1) increased vibration. To counter this, White Star placed the dining saloon midships and made their ships more luxurious. Inman rebuilt its express fleet to the new standard, but Cunard lagged behind both of its rivals.<ref name=gibbs /> In 1875, Inman's new [[SS City of Berlin|''City of Berlin'']] averaged {{convert|15.21|kn|km/h}} on its record-breaking voyage.<ref name=Bonsor1872 />

During the five-year [[Panic of 1873|shipping depression]] that began in 1873, William Pearce, the controlling partner of the [[Fairfield Shipbuilding|John Elder shipyard]], became convinced that a crack steamer that carried only passengers and light freight could be profitable because she would attract more passengers and spend less time in port.<ref name=fox /> He proposed a ship that crammed the most powerful machinery possible into the hull, sacrificing everything to speed.<ref name=gibbs /> When Cunard rejected his proposal, Pearce offered his idea to the [[Guion Line]], a firm primarily engaged in the steerage trade. The first ship Pearce built for Guion, the [[SS Arizona|''Arizona'']] was described as a "souped-up transatlantic hot rod" by one nautical historian.<ref name=fox /> While she only won the eastbound record,<ref name=fry /> two years later, Guion took delivery of the even faster ''Alaska'' that set the record at {{convert|16.07|kn|km/h}}.<ref name=Bonsor1872 /> To continue the program, Pearce offered Guion favourable terms on a third unit, the [[SS Oregon (1883)|''Oregon'']], which raised the record to {{convert|18.56|kn|km/h}} in 1884.<ref name=Bonsor1872 /> These ships were uncomfortable and their excessive coal consumption made them uneconomic.<ref name=gibbs /> However, for a while they were popular with American clients because of their American ownership.<ref name=fry />

After being out of the contest for a decade, Cunard finally started to rebuild. In 1884, Cunard purchased ''Oregon'' from the Guion line when that firm defaulted on payments to the shipyard. Later that year, Cunard commissioned the first steel-hulled record-breakers, [[RMS Umbria|''Umbria'']] and [[RMS Etruria|''Etruria'']].<ref name=fry /> ''Etruria'', the faster of the pair, raised the record to {{convert|19.56|kn|km/h}} on a 6-day, 2-hour run from Queenstown to Sandy Hook in 1888. However, ''Etruria'' and her sister represented the limit of single screw technology.<ref name=kludas />

===Double screw steamers (1889–1907)===
[[File:City of Paris, by Antonio Nicolo Gasparo Jacobsen.jpg|thumb|221x221px|Inman's ''City of Paris'' set a record of {{convert|20.01|kn|km/h}} in 1889.]]
[[File:Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse (ship, 1897) - Cassier's 1898-01.png|thumb|NDL's ''Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse'' raised the record to {{convert|22.29|kn|km/h}} in 1898]]
The Inman line fell on hard times after their intended record-breaker, ''City of Rome'' failed to meet expectations and was returned to her builders in 1882. Inman directors agreed to voluntary liquidation so that the largest creditor, the Philadelphia-based [[International Navigation Company]] could purchase Inman's assets.<ref name=gibbs /> The new owners provided the capital to build two outstanding record breakers, the twin-screw {{SS|City of New York||2}} and the {{SS|City of Paris|1888|2}}. Starting in 1889, the later ship set the record on four occasions, including a voyage at {{convert|20.7|kn|km/h}} in 1892. White Star, which had not built an express liner since the {{SS|Germanic|1875|2}} of 1875, commissioned the record-breaker, {{SS|Teutonic|1889|2}} of 1889 and {{SS|Majestic|1890|2}} of 1890 after receiving a subsidy from the [[Admiralty (United Kingdom)|Admiralty]] to make the pair available as merchant cruisers in the event of hostilities. Cunard countered with two even faster ships, the [[RMS Campania|''Campania'']] and the [[RMS Lucania|''Lucania'']] of 1893.<ref name=fry /> The next year, ''Lucania'' recorded a voyage at {{convert|21.81|kn|km/h}}.<ref name=Bonsor1872 /> Inman became the [[American Line]] and ordered two additional express liners from American yards, but no attempt was made to best the new Cunarders. In 1894, Guion ceased sailing as its ships were now hopelessly outdated.<ref name=gibbs />

No sooner had Cunard reestablished its supremacy than new rivals emerged. Beginning in the late 1860s, several German firms commissioned liners that were almost as fast as the British mail steamers working from Liverpool.<ref name=gibbs /> In 1889, the [[Hamburg America Line|Hamburg-America Line]] commissioned four double screw steamers capable of {{convert|18.00|kn|km/h}}. Its rival, [[Norddeutscher Lloyd]] (NDL) lagged behind until 1895 when it ordered two ships intended to take the record. In 1898, the {{SS|Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse||2}} raised the record to {{convert|22.29|kn|km/h}}, while the other liner, ''Kaiser Friedrich'' failed to achieve her contract speed and was returned to her builders. Hamburg America ordered the even more powerful {{SS|Deutschland|1900|2}} that reached {{convert|23.06|kn|km/h}} on one of her record-breaking 1900 voyages. However, Hamburg America quickly learned that these high powered double screw liners had vibration problems. ''Deutschland'' had the unpleasant nickname, "cocktail shaker" and actually lost part of her stern in 1902 because of the constant vibration.<ref name=kludas />

Rather than match the new German speedsters, White Star decided to drop out of the competition and commission the four large ''Celtic''-class luxury liners of more moderate speed. White Star realised that passengers preferred comfort even if this means spending an extra day at sea. In 1902, White Star joined the well capitalised American combine, the [[International Mercantile Marine Co.]] (IMM) that owned the American Line and others. IMM also had trade agreements with Hamburg America and Norddeutscher Lloyd. After its bad experience with the ''Deutschland'', Hamburg America also dropped out of the race and commissioned large luxury liners based on the ''Celtic''. However, NDL completed building a fleet of four additional express liners modelled on ''Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse''.<ref name=gibbs />

===Ships of state (1907–1969)===
[[File:EB1911 Ship, Cunard Liner, Mauretania, with Turbinia alongside.jpg|thumb|Cunard's ''Mauretania'' held the Blue Riband from 1909 to 1929 at {{convert|26.06|kn|km/h}}]]
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 102-11081, Schnelldamper "Bremen".jpg|thumb|NDL's ''Bremen'' finally broke ''Mauretania'''s record in 1929 by averaging {{convert|27.83|kn|km/h}}]]
[[File:B-17s flyby Rex.jpg|thumb|The Italian ''Rex'' joined the Blue Riband club with a 1933 voyage of {{convert|28.92|kn|km/h}}]]
[[File:SS-Normandie side01 NYC.jpg|thumb|CGT's ''Normandie'' won the Blue Riband at {{convert|30.58|kn|km/h}} in 1937]]
[[File:Rms queen mary 2008.jpg|thumb|Cunard White Star's ''Queen Mary'' regained the Blue Riband at {{convert|31.69|kn|km/h}} in 1938]]
[[File:SS United States postcard.jpg|thumb|''United States'' won the Blue Riband at {{convert|35.59|kn|km/h}} in 1952]]
After 1902, only the Cunard Line and the French [[Compagnie Générale Transatlantique]] (CGT) were independent of the IMM combine. British prestige was at stake, and the Government provided Cunard with an annual subsidy of £150,000 plus a low-interest loan of £2.5&nbsp;million to pay for the construction of the two [[Superliner (passenger ship)|superliners]], [[RMS Lusitania|''Lusitania'']] and [[RMS Mauretania (1906)|''Mauretania'']], under the condition that they be available for conversion to armed cruisers when needed by the navy.<ref name=gibbs /> Starting in 1907, both ships won the Blue Riband and ''Mauretania's'' 1909 record of {{convert|26.06|kn|km/h}} stood for 20 years.<ref name=Bonsor1872 /> However, these ships paid a price for speed and lacked many of the amenities found in the new White Star and Hamburg American luxury liners. Both Cunard rivals ordered a trio of even bigger luxury liners, the White Star [[Olympic class ocean liner|''Olympic''-class]] capable of {{convert|21.5|kn|km/h}} and HAPAG's [[Imperator-class ocean liner|''Imperator'' class]] capable of {{convert|22.5|kn|km/h}}. Even Cunard chose this approach when it ordered its third superliner, the [[RMS Aquitania|''Aquitania'']].<ref name=graham />

There is a persistent rumor that {{RMS|Titanic}} was attempting to win the Blue Riband and that such effort resulted in excessive speed and collision with the iceberg.<ref>{{cite book |last1 = Maltin |first1 = Tim |last2 = Aston |first2 = Eloise |title = 101 Things You Thought You Knew About the ''Titanic''—But Didn't! |date = 2011 |publisher = Penguin Books |location = New York |isbn = 978-0143119098 |pages = 43–47 }}</ref> This is likely false, as the ''Titanic'' was built for luxury, not speed.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.titanic-titanic.com/titanic_myths.shtml |title = Titanic Myths |website = Titanic-Titanic.com |access-date = 11 April 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080807071104/http://www.titanic-titanic.com/titanic_myths.shtml |archive-date = 7 August 2008 |url-status = dead }}</ref>

As a result of the war, Hamburg American and Norddeutscher Lloyd lost their premier units. In 1926, the U.S. Government awarded Norddeutscher Lloyd (NDL) $27&nbsp;million in compensation for its confiscated liners. By this time, improvements in turbine technology and hull form, along with the use of fuel oil instead of coal, made it possible to build more civilised record breakers. Using these funds, NDL ordered two ships designed to cross the Atlantic in five days, the {{SS|Bremen|1928|2}} and {{SS|Europa|1930|2}}. However, the American government netted the award against debts owed by the German Government and Berlin was forced to directly subsidise NDL to continue the project. ''Bremen'' recorded {{convert|27.83|kn|km/h}} on her 1929 Blue Riband voyage and ''Europa'' increased the Blue Riband to {{convert|27.92|kn|km/h}} in 1933.<ref name=Bonsor1872 />

In 1928, as Britain's response to the German {{SS|Bremen|1928|2}} and {{SS|Europa|1930|2}}, the [[White Star Line]] ordered a new Diesel-electric 1000-ft long ocean liner to be named [[Oceanic (unfinished ship)|''Oceanic'']] capable of 200,000 SHP. Construction started on 28 June 1928. However, White Star did not have the funds to complete the liner, and ''Oceanic''<!-- -->'s construction was put on hold until 1931 when her keel was silently scrapped. Her ahead-of-their-time engines might have been powerful enough to enable her to win the Blue Riband.{{CN|date=March 2022}}

In 1929, two lines from Italy each ordered a ship based on the German pair. Just as these ships were being completed, the Italian government nationalised the shipping industry, creating the [[Italian Line]]. While both superliners were successful, only the {{SS|Rex||2}} won the Blue Riband, with a 1933 voyage at {{convert|28.92|kn|km/h}}.<ref name=gibbs />

CGT also ordered a new superliner in 1929. The next year, Cunard started construction on an 80,000-ton liner that was to be the first of two record-breakers fast enough to fit into a two-ship weekly Southampton–New York service.<ref name=graham /> Consequently, CGT altered its plans to make its new liner even bigger.<ref name=kludas /> However, as the 1929 shipping depression intensified, construction on Cunard's hull 534 was halted while work on the heavily subsidised French ship continued. By 1934, both Cunard and White Star lines were failing and the British Government was concerned about potential job losses. Therefore, the government agreed to give Cunard a loan of £3&nbsp;million to complete hull 534 as the {{RMS|Queen Mary||2}} and an additional £5&nbsp;million to build a second ship, the {{RMS|Queen Elizabeth||2}} only if Cunard merged with White Star.<ref name=graham />

CGT's {{SS|Normandie||2}} entered service in 1935 and won the Blue Riband at {{convert|29.98|kn|km/h}}. ''Queen Mary'' was commissioned the next year, and after a few break-in voyages, took the Blue Riband to {{convert|30.14|kn|km/h}}. The two liners were operated as a pair and traded the Blue Riband again, with the Cunard White Star Liner ultimately posting {{convert|30.99|kn|km/h}} in 1938.<ref name=Bonsor1872 /> ''Queen Mary's'' consort, ''Queen Elizabeth'', was commissioned after war was declared and was never allowed to attempt the record.<ref name=gibbs />

In 1935, [[Harold Hales|Harold K. Hales]] (1868–1942), a member of the UK Parliament and owner of a shipping company, commissioned [[Hales Trophy|a large trophy]] to be presented to the fastest ship crossing the Atlantic, in order to formalize the rules surrounding the trans-Atlantic competition. The rules for the trophy did not correspond to the traditional rules for the Blue Riband in that the trophy was to be awarded only to surface passenger ships achieving the fastest speed in the westbound direction.<ref name="Kludas p17"/> Other rule changes further complicated the situation, and eventually the trophy was awarded to just three Blue Riband holders; ''Rex'', in 1935, ''Normandie'' in 1936, and ''United States'' in 1952.

Of the ships of state, only ''Queen Mary'', ''Queen Elizabeth'' and ''Europa'' survived the war. ''Europa'' became CGT's ''Liberté'' and no attempt was made to retain her former speed when she was reconstructed.<ref name=gibbs /> However, the United States government was impressed by the large numbers of troops carried by the Queens during the war and ordered a superliner that was as much a troop carrier as an express liner. On her maiden voyage in 1952, the [[SS United States|''United States'']] upped the Blue Riband to {{convert|35.59|kn|km/h}} eastbound and {{convert|34.51|kn|km/h}} westbound. In 1958, the transatlantic airlines put jet transports into service and the days of the record breakers were numbered. ''Liberté'' retired in 1961, along with ''Queen Mary'' in 1967, and ''United States'' in 1969.<ref name=kludas />

===The Blue Riband today (1969–present)===
With the success of ''United States'' in 1952 and Cunard's decision not to challenge the new record the Blue Riband contest again subsided. There was a growing recognition that the era of fast crossings by express liners was becoming a thing of the past and that the contest for fast transatlantic travel was shifting to the air.<ref name=Times8752>{{cite news |url = http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/newspaperRetrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=DateAscend&tabID=T003&prodId=TTDA&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchId=R1&searchType=BasicSearchForm&currentPosition=13&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2C%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28tx%2CNone%2C11%29Blue+Riband%3AAnd%3ALQE%3D%28da%2CNone%2C23%2901%2F01%2F1952+-+12%2F31%2F1952%3AAnd%3ALQE%3D%28MB%2CNone%2C8%29%22TTDA-1%22%24&retrieveFormat=MULTIPAGE_DOCUMENT&userGroupName=livlibtda&inPS=true&contentSet=LTO&&docId=&docLevel=FASCIMILE&workId=&relevancePageBatch=CS117919464&contentSet=UDVIN&callistoContentSet=UDVIN&docPage=article&hilite=y |title = The Blue Riband |type = Editorial |date = 8 July 1952 |work = [[The Times]] |location = London |issn = 0140-0460 |via = The Times Digital Archive |access-date = 31 July 2017 }}</ref>

In the 1930s, air travel was already competing with the express liners for fast Atlantic crossings; in 1936, the German company DELAG commenced an airship service to New York, their [[LZ 129 Hindenburg|''Hindenburg'']] crossing from Europe to America in times ranging from 53 to 78 hours, and the following year, while experimenting with a flying boat service, Empire Airways [[Short Empire#Operational history|''Caledonia'']] reduced this to 15 hours.
In the post-war period times were reduced again by the advent of land-based airliners, such as the [[Lockheed Constellation]]. Hopes in 1952 were expressed for the new [[de Havilland Comet]] jetliner,<ref name=Times8752/> though these were dashed by [[de Havilland Comet#Early hull losses|the succession of crashes]] that halted the Comet programme. A regular jetliner service was finally introduced in 1958 with the [[Boeing 707]] and the [[Douglas DC-8|DC 8]], cutting the crossing to 7 hours. The final step in the quest for trans-Atlantic speed was the [[Concorde]], which set a record in 1996 of a second under two hours 53 minutes, at an average speed of 1250&nbsp;mph (Mach 1.9),<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/60at60/2015/8/1996-fastest-flight-across-the-atlantic-in-a-commercial-aircraft-392882 |title = 1996: Fastest flight Across the Atlantic in a Commercial Aircraft |work = [[Guinness World Records]] |date = 18 August 2015 |access-date = 30 July 2017 }}</ref> but by this time airlines were aware that cost and comfort were more important to passengers than speed, and the emphasis shifted to aircraft like the [[Boeing 747]], with a sleeper capacity for business passengers. Concorde's crossing was not the fastest ever flight across the Atlantic. That record is still held by a [[Lockheed SR-71A]] which crossed the Atlantic in 1 hour 54 minutes in 1974, although that was not carrying commercial passengers. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/60at60/2015/8/1974-fastest-flight-across-the-atlantic-392966 | title=1974: Fastest Flight Across the Atlantic | date=19 August 2015 }}</ref>

[[File:Gentry_Eagle.jpg|thumb|Tom Gentry's ''Gentry Eagle'' at Mamaroneck, New York, prior to a record attempt]]
At sea ''United States'' record stood until 1986 when it was challenged by British entrepreneur [[Richard Branson]], and his high-speed motor vessel, ''Virgin Atlantic Challenger''. Despite having to stop to refuel on several occasions, Branson shaved two hours off the record, increasing the average speed to 36.4 knots. However, as '' Virgin Atlantic Challenger'' was not a passenger vessel the New York Maritime Museum refused to part with the Hales Trophy, so Branson inaugurated the [[Virgin Atlantic Challenge Trophy]], for the fastest unqualified Atlantic crossing, open to all challengers. Three years later this was won by Tom Gentry, whose ''Gentry Eagle'' slashed the record, crossing in 62 hours at an average 47.4 knots. 
In 1992 the Virgin Atlantic Challenge was again won, by the [[Aga Khan]]'s ''[[Destriero]]'' crossing in 58 hours 34 minutes and averaging 53.09 knots. She also made a record-breaking return journey, winning the [[Columbus Atlantic Trophy]], posted by the yacht club in response to the Virgin Atlantic Challenge for the fastest two-way voyage i.e. a single crossing and return voyage within a specified time.

Meanwhile, [[Incat]], builders of fast catamaran ferries, and therefore indisputably commercial vessels, decided to make an attempt to win the Hales Trophy, for which the record was still that of ''United States''. This was achieved in 1990 by ''[[Hoverspeed Great Britain]]'', with a non-stop crossing of 79 hours 54 minutes, averaging 36.6 knots and Incat were awarded the trophy by the Hales Trophy Committee. Eight years later this record was broken by another Incat vessel, ''[[HSC Catalonia|Catalonia]]'', and again the following month by ''[[Cat-Link V]]'' in 68 hours and 9 minutes (41.28 knots).

With the end of the express liners era, the Blue Riband has become an item of largely historical interest, with some authors regarding the ''United States'' as the last holder of the accolade.<ref name=kludas136 /> Meanwhile, the goal of the fastest Atlantic crossings remains a physical and technological challenge and at least three awards for the feat remain in play.

==List of record breakers==
The following is the latest consensus list of the research to date. Because there was no sanctioning body for the Blue Riband, researchers are limited to surviving shipping company archives and press reports to develop the list of Blue Riband winners. These lists are retrospective and limited to steamships only. Therefore, most lists feature ''Sirius'', in her race with ''Great Western'' in 1838, as the first record-holder, although her crossing was not as fast as some sail packet ships of the period. Early writers including Arthur Maginnus (1892), Henry Frey (1896), Charles Lee (1931) and C. R. Benstead (1936) were the standard sources until the 1950s. Since then, C. R. Vernon Gibbs (1952),<ref name=gibbs /> and Noel Bonsor (1975)<ref name=Bonsor1866 /> added to the body of knowledge, with additional detail about the German ships provided by Arnold Kludas.<ref name=kludas />

Over the years, the lists have not agreed. For example, Gibbs credits Inman's ''City of Paris'' with an 1866 Blue Riband voyage, and Cunard's ''Russia'' with an eastbound record the following year because he considered as dubious ''Scotia's'' Blue Riband claim of {{convert|14.46|kn|km/h}}, supposedly based on a very long track.<ref name=gibbs /> Later writers have included the ''Scotia'' claim.<ref name=kludas /> Gibbs also includes the claimed Blue Riband voyage at {{convert|17.6|kn|km/h}} of the National Line's ''America'' of 1884<ref name=gibbs /> that was not confirmed by later researchers.<ref name=kludas />

===Westbound record breakers===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Ship
! Flag
! Year
! Dates
! Line
! From
! To
! Distance
! Days, hours, minutes
! Speed
|-
| ''[[SS Sirius (1837)|Sirius]]''<ref>{{harvp|Kludas|2000|p=146}}.</ref>
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1838
| 4–22 April
| [[British and American Steam Navigation Company|British & American]]
| [[Queenstown, Ireland|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|3583|nmi|km}}
| 18 d, 14 h, 22 m
| {{convert|8.03|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Great Western||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1838
| 8–23 April
| [[Great Western Steamship Company|GW]]
| [[Avonmouth]]
| New York
| {{convert|3220|nmi|km}}
| 15 d, 12 h, 0 m
| {{convert|8.66|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Great Western||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1838
| 2–17 June
| [[Great Western Steamship Company|GW]]
| [[Avonmouth]]
| New York
| {{convert|3140|nmi|km}}
| 14 d, 16 h, 0 m
| {{convert|8.92|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Great Western||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1839
| 18–31 May
| [[Great Western Steamship Company|GW]]
| [[Avonmouth]]
| New York
| {{convert|3086|nmi|km}}
| 13 d, 12 h, 0 m
| {{convert|9.52|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[RMS Britannia Class|''Columbia'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1841
| 4–15 June
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| [[Liverpool]]
| [[Halifax (former city)|Halifax]]
| {{convert|2534|nmi|km}}
| 10 d, 19 h, 0 m
| {{convert|9.78|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Great Western||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1843
| 29 April – 11 May
| [[Great Western Steamship Company|GW]]
| [[Liverpool]]
| New York
| {{convert|3068|nmi|km}}
| 12 d, 18 h, 0 m
| {{convert|10.03|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[RMS Britannia Class|''Cambria'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1845
| 19–29 July
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| [[Liverpool]]
| [[Halifax (former city)|Halifax]]
| {{convert|2534|nmi|km}}
| 9 d, 20 h, 30 m
| {{convert|10.71|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[RMS America Class|''America'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1848
| 3–12 June
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| [[Liverpool]]
| [[Halifax (former city)|Halifax]]
| {{convert|2534|nmi|km}}
| 9 d, 0 h, 16 m
| {{convert|11.71|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[RMS America Class|''Europa'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1848
| 14–23 October
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| [[Liverpool]]
| [[Halifax (former city)|Halifax]]
| {{convert|2534|nmi|km}}
| 8 d, 23 h, 0 m
| {{convert|11.79|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[RMS America Class|''Asia'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1850
| 18–27 May
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| [[Liverpool]]
| [[Halifax (former city)|Halifax]]
| {{convert|2534|nmi|km}}
| 8 d, 14 h, 50 m
| {{convert|12.25|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Pacific|1849|2}}
| [[File:US flag 30 stars.svg|30px]]
| 1850
| 11–21 September
| [[Collins Line|Collins]]
| [[Liverpool]]
| New York
| {{convert|3050|nmi|km}}
| 10 d, 4 h, 45 m
| {{convert|12.46|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Baltic|1850|2}}
| [[File:US flag 30 stars.svg|30px]]
| 1851
| 6–16 August
| [[Collins Line|Collins]]
| [[Liverpool]]
| New York
| {{convert|3039|nmi|km}}
| 9 d, 19 h, 26 m
| {{convert|12.91|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Baltic|1850|2}}
| [[File:US flag 30 stars.svg|30px]]
| 1854
| 28 June – 7 July
| [[Collins Line|Collins]]
| [[Liverpool]]
| New York
| {{convert|3037|nmi|km}}
| 9 d, 16 h, 52 m
| {{convert|13.04|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[RMS Persia|''Persia'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1856
| 19–29 April
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| [[Liverpool]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|3045|nmi|km}}
| 9 d, 16 h, 16 m
| {{convert|13.11|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[RMS Scotia|''Scotia'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1863
| 19–27 July
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| New York
| {{convert|2820|nmi|km}}
| 8 d, 3 h, 0 m
| {{convert|14.46|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Adriatic|1871|2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1872
| 17–25 May
| [[White Star Line|W.Star]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2778|nmi|km}}
| 7 d, 23 h, 17 m
| {{convert|14.53|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Germanic|1875|2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1875
| 30 July – 7 August
| [[White Star Line|W.Star]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2800|nmi|km}}
| 7 d, 23 h, 7 m
| {{convert|14.65|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[SS City of Berlin|''City of Berlin'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1875
| 17–25 September
| [[Inman Line|Inman]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| Sandy Bank
| {{convert|2829|nmi|km}}
| 7 d, 18 h, 2 m
| {{convert|15.21|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Britannic|1874|2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1876
| 27 October – 4 November
| [[White Star Line|W.Star]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2795|nmi|km}}
| 7 d, 13 h, 11 m
| {{convert|15.43|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Germanic|1875|2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1877
| 6–13 April
| [[White Star Line|W.Star]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2830|nmi|km}}
| 7 d, 11 h, 37 m
| {{convert|15.76|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[SS Alaska (1881)|''Alaska'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1882
| 9–16 April
| [[Guion Line|Guion]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2802|nmi|km}}
| 7 d, 6 h, 20 m
| {{convert|16.07|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[SS Alaska (1881)|''Alaska'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1882
| 14–21 May
| [[Guion Line|Guion]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2871|nmi|km}}
| 7 d, 4 h, 12 m
| {{convert|16.67|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[SS Alaska (1881)|''Alaska'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1882
| 18–25 June
| [[Guion Line|Guion]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2886|nmi|km}}
| 7 d, 1 h, 58 m
| {{convert|16.98|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[SS Alaska (1881)|''Alaska'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1883
| 29 April – 6 May
| [[Guion Line|Guion]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2844|nmi|km}}
| 6 d, 23 h, 48 m
| {{convert|17.05|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[SS Oregon (1883)|''Oregon'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1884
| 13–19 April
| [[Guion Line|Guion]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2861|nmi|km}}
| 6 d, 10 h, 10 m
| {{convert|18.56|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Etruria||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1885
| 16–22 August
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2801|nmi|km}}
| 6 d, 5 h, 31 m
| {{convert|18.73|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Umbria||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1887
| 29 May – 4 June
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2848|nmi|km}}
| 6 d, 4 h, 12 m
| {{convert|19.22|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Etruria||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1888
| 27 May – 2 June
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2854|nmi|km}}
| 6 d, 1 h, 55 m
| {{convert|19.56|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|City of Paris|1888|2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1889
| 2–8 May
| [[Inman Line|Inman]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2855|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 23 h, 7 m
| {{convert|19.95|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|City of Paris|1888|2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1889
| 22–28 August
| [[Inman Line|Inman]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2788|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 19 h, 18 m
| {{convert|20.01|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Majestic|1890|2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1891
| 30 July – 5 August
| [[White Star Line|W.Star]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2777|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 18 h, 8 m
| {{convert|20.10|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Teutonic|1889|2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1891
| 13–19 August
| [[White Star Line|W.Star]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2778|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 16 h, 31 m
| {{convert|20.35|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|City of Paris|1888|2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1892
| 20–27 July
| [[Inman Line|Inman]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2785|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 15 h, 58 m
| {{convert|20.48|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|City of Paris|1888|2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1892
| 13–18 October
| [[Inman Line|Inman]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2782|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 14 h, 24 m
| {{convert|20.70|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Campania||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1893
| 18–23 June
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2864|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 15 h, 37 m
| {{convert|21.12|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Campania||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1894
| 12–17 August
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2776|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 9 h, 29 m
| {{convert|21.44|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Lucania||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1894
| 26–31 August
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2787|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 8 h, 38 m
| {{convert|21.65|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Lucania||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1894
| 23–28 September
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2782|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 7 h, 48 m
| {{convert|21.75|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Lucania||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1894
| 21–26 October
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2779|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 7 h, 23 m
| {{convert|21.81|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse||2}}
| [[File:Flag of the German Empire.svg|26px]]
| 1898
| 30 March – 3 April
| [[Norddeutscher Lloyd|NDL]]
| [[The Needles]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|3120|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 20 h, 0 m
| {{convert|22.29|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Deutschland|1900|2}}
| [[File:Flag of the German Empire.svg|26px]]
| 1900
| 6–12 July
| [[Hamburg America Line|Hapag]]
| [[Eddystone Rocks|Eddystone]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|3044|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 15 h, 46 m
| {{convert|22.42|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Deutschland|1900|2}}
| [[File:Flag of the German Empire.svg|26px]]
| 1900
| 26 August – 1 September
| [[Hamburg America Line|Hapag]]
| [[Cherbourg]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|3050|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 12 h, 29 m
| {{convert|23.02|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Deutschland|1900|2}}
| [[File:Flag of the German Empire.svg|26px]]
| 1901
| 26 July – 1 August
| [[Hamburg America Line|Hapag]]
| [[Cherbourg]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|3141|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 16 h, 12 m
| {{convert|23.06|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[German liner Kronprinz Wilhelm|''Kronprinz Wilhelm'']]
| [[File:Flag of the German Empire.svg|26px]]
| 1902
| 10–16 September
| [[Norddeutscher Lloyd|NDL]]
| [[Cherbourg]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|3047|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 11 h, 57 m
| {{convert|23.09|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Deutschland|1900|2}}
| [[File:Flag of the German Empire.svg|26px]]
| 1903
| 2–8 September
| [[Hamburg America Line|Hapag]]
| [[Cherbourg]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|3054|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 11 h, 54 m
| {{convert|23.15|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Lusitania||2}}
| [[File:Government Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1907
| 6–10 October
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2780|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 19 h, 52 m
| {{convert|23.99|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Lusitania||2}}
| [[File:Government Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1908
| 17–21 May
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2889|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 20 h, 22 m
| {{convert|24.83|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Lusitania||2}}
| [[File:Government Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1908
| 5–10 July
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]]
| {{convert|2891|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 19 h, 36 m
| {{convert|25.01|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Lusitania||2}}
| [[File:Government Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1909
| 8–12 August
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Ambrose Light]]
| {{convert|2890|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 16 h, 40 m
| {{convert|25.65|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Mauretania|1906|2}}<ref>{{cite news |url = http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=livlibtda&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=BasicSearchForm&docId=CS135736546&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0 |title = Last Voyage of the ''Mauretania'' |work = [[The Times]] |location = London |date = 2 July 1935 |page = 8 |issn = 0140-0460 |via = The Times Digital Archive |access-date = 27 April 2017 }}</ref>
| [[File:Government Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1909
| 26–30 September
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| [[Cobh|Queenstown]]
| [[Ambrose Light]]
| {{convert|2784|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 10 h, 51 m
| {{convert|26.06|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Bremen|1928|2}}<ref name=Times1930/>
| [[File:Merchant flag of Germany (1919–1933).svg|26px]]
| 1929
| 17–22 July
| [[Norddeutscher Lloyd|NDL]]
| [[Cherbourg]]
| [[Ambrose Light]]
| {{convert|3164|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 17 h, 42 m
| {{convert|27.83|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Europa|1930|2}}<ref name=Times1930>{{cite news |url = http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=livlibtda&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=BasicSearchForm&docId=CS302195284&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0 |title = New Atlantic Liners: The ''Europa'' Leaves for Her Trials |work = [[The Times]] |location = London |date = 20 February 1930 |page = 18 |issn = 0140-0460 |via = The Times Digital Archive |access-date =  27 April 2017 }}</ref>
| [[File:Merchant flag of Germany (1919–1933).svg|26px]]
| 1930
| 20–25 March
| [[Norddeutscher Lloyd|NDL]]
| [[Cherbourg]]
| [[Ambrose Light]]
| {{convert|3157|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 17 h, 6 m
| {{convert|27.91|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Bremen|1928|2}}
| [[File:Flag of German Reich (1933–1935).svg|26px]]
| 1933
| 27 June – 2 July
| [[Norddeutscher Lloyd|NDL]]
| [[Cherbourg]]
| [[Ambrose Light]]
| {{convert|3149|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 16 h, 48 m
| {{convert|27.92|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Rex||2}}<ref name=Times1935/>
| [[File:Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg|25px]]
| 1933
| 11–16 August
| [[Italian Line|Italian]]
| [[Gibraltar]]
| [[Ambrose Light]]
| {{convert|3181|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 13 h, 58 m
| {{convert|28.92|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Normandie||2}}<ref name=Times1935>{{cite news |url = http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=livlibtda&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=BasicSearchForm&docId=CS185675009&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0 |title = Blue Riband of the Atlantic |work = [[The Times]] |location = London |date = 1 August 1935 |page = 11 |issn = 0140-0460 |via = The Times Digital Archive |access-date = 27 April 2017 }}</ref>
| [[File:Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg|25px]]
| 1935
| 30 May – 3 June
| [[Compagnie Générale Transatlantique|CGT]]
| [[Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly|Bishop Rock]]
| [[Ambrose Light]]
| {{convert|2971|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 3 h, 2 m
| {{convert|29.98|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Queen Mary||2}}<ref>{{cite news |url = http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=livlibtda&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=BasicSearchForm&docId=CS168767257&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0 |title =  An Atlantic Triumph |work = [[The Times]] |location = London |date = 25 August 1936 |page = 10 |issn = 0140-0460 |via = The Times Digital Archive |access-date = 27 April 2017 }}</ref>
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1936
| 20–24 August
| [[Cunard Line|C-WS]]
| [[Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly|Bishop Rock]]
| [[Ambrose Light]]
| {{convert|2907|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 0 h, 27 m
| {{convert|30.14|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Normandie||2}}
| [[File:Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg|25px]]
| 1937
| 29 July – 2 August
| [[Compagnie Générale Transatlantique|CGT]]
| [[Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly|Bishop Rock]]
| [[Ambrose Light]]
| {{convert|2906|nmi|km}}
| 3 d, 23 h, 2 m
| {{convert|30.58|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Queen Mary||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1938
| 4–8 August
| [[Cunard Line|C-WS]]
| [[Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly|Bishop Rock]]
| [[Ambrose Light]]
| {{convert|2907|nmi|km}}
| 3 d, 21 h, 48 m
| {{convert|30.99|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|United States||2}}
| [[File:US flag 48 stars.svg|29px]]
| 1952
| 11–15 July
| [[United States Lines|USL]]
| [[Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly|Bishop Rock]]
| [[Ambrose Light]]
| {{convert|2906|nmi|km}}
| 3 d, 12 h, 12 m
| {{convert|34.51|kn|km/h}}
|}

===Eastbound record breakers===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Ship
! Flag
! Year
! Dates
! Line
! From
! To
! Distance
! Days, hours, minutes
! Speed
|-
| ''[[SS Sirius (1837)|Sirius]]''<ref>{{harvp|Kludas|2000|p=148}}.</ref>
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1838
| 1–19 May
| [[British and American Steam Navigation Company|British & American]]
| [[New York City|New York]]
| [[Falmouth, Cornwall|Falmouth]]
| {{convert|3159|nmi|km}}
| 15 d 0 h
| {{convert|7.31|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Great Western||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1838
| 7–22 May
| [[Great Western Steamship Company|GW]]
| New York
| Avonmouth
| {{convert|3218|nmi|km}}
| 14 d, 15 h, 59 m
| {{convert|9.14|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Great Western||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1838
| 25 June – 8 July
| [[Great Western Steamship Company|GW]]
| New York
| Avonmouth
| {{convert|3099|nmi|km}}
| 12 d, 16 h, 34 m
| {{convert|10.17|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[RMS Britannia Class|''Britannia'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1841
| 4–14 August
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Halifax
| Liverpool
| {{convert|2610|nmi|km}}
| 9 d, 21 h, 44 m
| {{convert|10.98|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Great Western||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1842
| 28 April – 11 May
| [[Great Western Steamship Company|GW]]
| New York
| Liverpool
| {{convert|3248|nmi|km}}
| 12 d, 7 h, 30 m
| {{convert|10.99|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[RMS Britannia Class|''Columbia'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1843
| 4–14 April
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Halifax
| Liverpool
| {{convert|2534|nmi|km}}
| 9 d, 12 h, 0 m
| {{convert|11.11|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[RMS Britannia Class|''Hibernia'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1843
| 18–27 May
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Halifax
| Liverpool
| {{convert|2534|nmi|km}}
| 9 d, 10 h, 44 m
| {{convert|11.18|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[RMS Britannia Class|''Hibernia'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1843
| 18–27 July
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Halifax
| Liverpool
| {{convert|2534|nmi|km}}
| 8 d, 22 h, 44 m
| {{convert|11.80|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[RMS America Class|''Canada'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1849
| 19–28 July
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Halifax
| Liverpool
| {{convert|2534|nmi|km}}
| 8 d, 12 h, 44 m
| {{convert|12.38|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Pacific|1849|2}}
| [[File:US flag 30 stars.svg|29px]]
| 1851
| 10–20 May
| [[Collins Line|Collins]]
| New York
| Liverpool
| {{convert|3078|nmi|km}}
| 9 d, 20 h, 14 m
| {{convert|13.03|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Arctic||2}}
| [[File:U.S. flag, 31 stars.svg|29px]]
| 1852
| 7–17 February
| [[Collins Line|Collins]]
| New York
| Liverpool
| {{convert|3051|nmi|km}}
| 9 d, 17 h, 15 m
| {{convert|13.06|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[RMS Persia|''Persia'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1856
| 2–12 April
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Sandy Hook
| Liverpool
| {{convert|3048|nmi|km}}
| 9 d, 10 h, 22 m
| {{convert|13.46|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[RMS Persia|''Persia'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1856
| 14–23 May
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Sandy Hook
| Liverpool
| {{convert|3048|nmi|km}}
| 9 d, 3 h, 24 m
| {{convert|13.89|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[RMS Persia|''Persia'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1856
| 6–15 August
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Sandy Hook
| Liverpool
| {{convert|3046|nmi|km}}
| 8 d, 23 h, 19 m
| {{convert|14.15|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[RMS Scotia|''Scotia'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1863
| 16–24 December
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| New York
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2800|nmi|km}}
| 8 d, 5 h, 42 m
| {{convert|14.16|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[SS City of Brussels|''City of Brussels'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1869
| 4–12 December
| [[Inman Line|Inman]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2780|nmi|km}}
| 7 d, 20 h, 33 m
| {{convert|14.74|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Baltic|1871|2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1873
| 11–19 January
| [[White Star Line|W.Star]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2840|nmi|km}}
| 7 d, 20 h, 9 m
| {{convert|15.09|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[SS City of Berlin|''City of Berlin'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1875
| 2–10 October
| [[Inman Line|Inman]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2820|nmi|km}}
| 7 d, 15 h, 28 m
| {{convert|15.37|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Germanic|1875|2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1876
| 5–13 February
| [[White Star Line|W.Star]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2894|nmi|km}}
| 7 d, 15 h, 17 m
| {{convert|15.79|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Britannic|1874|2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1876
| 16–24 December
| [[White Star Line|W.Star]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2892|nmi|km}}
| 7 d, 12 h, 41 m
| {{convert|15.94|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Arizona||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1879
| 22–29 July
| [[Guion Line|Guion]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2810|nmi|km}}
| 7 d, 8 h, 11 m
| {{convert|15.96|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[SS Alaska|''Alaska'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1882
| 30 May – 6 June
| [[Guion Line|Guion]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2791|nmi|km}}
| 6 d, 22 h, 0 m
| {{convert|16.81|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[SS Alaska (1881)|''Alaska'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1882
| 12–19 September
| [[Guion Line|Guion]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2781|nmi|km}}
| 6 d, 18 h, 37 m
| {{convert|17.10|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[SS Oregon (1883)|''Oregon'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1884
| 29 March – 5 April
| [[Guion Line|Guion]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2916|nmi|km}}
| 7 d, 2 h, 18 m
| {{convert|17.12|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[SS Oregon (1883)|''Oregon'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1884
| 26 April – 3 May
| [[Guion Line|Guion]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2916|nmi|km}}
| 6 d, 16 h, 57 m
| {{convert|18.09|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[SS Oregon (1883)|''Oregon'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1884
| 30 July – 6 August
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2853|nmi|km}}
| 6 d, 12 h, 54 m
| {{convert|18.18|kn|km/h}}
|-
| [[SS Oregon (1883)|''Oregon'']]
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1884
| 3–10 September
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2853|nmi|km}}
| 6 d, 11 h, 9 m
| {{convert|18.39|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Etruria||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1885
| 1–7 August
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2822|nmi|km}}
| 6 d, 9 h, 0 m
| {{convert|18.44|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Etruria||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1888
| 7–14 July
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2981|nmi|km}}
| 6 d, 4 h, 50 m
| {{convert|19.36|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|City of Paris|1888|2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1889
| 15–22 May
| [[Inman Line|Inman]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2894|nmi|km}}
| 6 d, 0 h, 29 m
| {{convert|20.03|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|City of New York||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1892
| 17–23 August
| [[Inman Line|Inman]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2814|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 19 h, 57 m
| {{convert|20.11|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Campania||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1893
| 6–12 May
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2928|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 17 h, 27 m
| {{convert|21.30|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Lucania||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1894
| 6–12 May
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2911|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 13 h, 28 m
| {{convert|21.81|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Lucania||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1894
| 2–8 June
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2911|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 12 h, 59 m
| {{convert|21.90|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Lucania||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1895
| 18–24 May
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2897|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 11 h, 40 m
| {{convert|22.00|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse||2}}
| [[File:Flag of the German Empire.svg|26px]]
| 1897
| 23–29 November
| [[Hapag-Lloyd|NDL]]
| Sandy Hook
| Needles
| {{convert|3065|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 17 h, 23 m
| {{convert|22.33|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Deutschland|1900|2}}
| [[File:Flag of the German Empire.svg|26px]]
| 1900
| 18–24 July
| [[Hamburg America Line|Hapag]]
| Sandy Hook
| Eddystone
| {{convert|3085|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 15 h, 5 m
| {{convert|22.84|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Deutschland|1900|2}}
| [[File:Flag of the German Empire.svg|26px]]
| 1900
| 4–10 September
| [[Hamburg America Line|Hapag]]
| Sandy Hook
| Eddystone
| {{convert|2981|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 7 h, 38 m
| {{convert|23.36|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Deutschland|1900|2}}
| [[File:Flag of the German Empire.svg|26px]]
| 1901
| 13–19 June
| [[Hamburg America Line|Hapag]]
| Sandy Hook
| Eddystone
| {{convert|3083|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 11 h, 51 m
| {{convert|23.38|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Deutschland|1900|2}}
| [[File:Flag of the German Empire.svg|26px]]
| 1901
| 10–17 July
| [[Hamburg America Line|Hapag]]
| Sandy Hook
| Eddystone
| {{convert|3082|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 11 h, 5 m
| {{convert|23.51|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Kaiser Wilhelm II||2}}
| [[File:Flag of the German Empire.svg|26px]]
| 1904
| 14–20 June
| [[Hapag-Lloyd|NDL]]
| Sandy Hook
| Eddystone
| {{convert|3112|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 11 h, 58 m
| {{convert|23.58|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Lusitania||2}}
| [[File:Government Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1907
| 19–24 October
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2807|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 22 h, 53 m
| {{convert|23.61|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Mauretania|1906|2}}
| [[File:Government Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1907
| 30 November–5 December
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Beady Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2807|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 22 h, 33 m
| {{convert|23.69|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Mauretania|1906|2}}
| [[File:Government Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1908
| 25–30 January
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2932|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 2 h, 41 m
| {{convert|23.90|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Mauretania|1906|2}}
| [[File:Government Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1908
| 7–12 March
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Sandy Hook
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2932|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 0 h, 5 m
| {{convert|24.42|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Mauretania|1906|2}}
| [[File:Government Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1909
| 3–8 February
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Ambrose
| Queenstown,
| {{convert|2930|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 20 h, 27 m
| {{convert|25.16|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Mauretania|1906|2}}
| [[File:Government Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1909
| 17–22 March
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Ambrose
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2934|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 18 h, 35 m
| {{convert|25.61|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Mauretania|1906|2}}
| [[File:Government Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1909
| 5–10 May
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Ambrose
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2934|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 18 h, 11 m
| {{convert|25.70|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Mauretania|1906|2}}
| [[File:Government Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1909
| 16–21 June
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Ambrose
| Queenstown
| {{convert|2933|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 17 h, 21 m
| {{convert|25.88|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Mauretania|1906|2}}
| [[File:Government Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1924
| 20–25 August
| [[Cunard Line|Cunard]]
| Ambrose
| Cherbourg
| {{convert|3198|nmi|km}}
| 5 d, 1 h, 49 m
| {{convert|26.25|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Bremen|1928|2}}
| [[File:Merchant flag of Germany (1919–1933).svg|26px]]
| 1929
| 27 July – 1 August
| [[Hapag-Lloyd|NDL]]
| Ambrose
| Eddystone
| {{convert|3084|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 14 h, 30 m
| {{convert|27.91|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Bremen|1928|2}}
| [[File:Flag of German Reich (1933–1935).svg|26px]]
| 1933
| 10–15 June
| [[Hapag-Lloyd|NDL]]
| Ambrose
| Cherbourg
| {{convert|3199|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 16 h, 15 m
| {{convert|28.51|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Normandie||2}}
| [[File:Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg|25px]]
| 1935
| 7–11 June
| [[Compagnie Générale Transatlantique|CGT]]
| Ambrose
| Bishop Rock
| {{convert|3015|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 3 h, 25 m
| {{convert|30.31|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Queen Mary||2}}
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1936
| 26–30 August
| [[Cunard Line|C-WS]]
| Ambrose
| Bishop Rock
| {{convert|2939|nmi|km}}
| 3 d, 23 h, 57 m
| {{convert|30.63|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Normandie||2}}
| [[File:Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg|25px]]
| 1937
| 18–22 March
| [[Compagnie Générale Transatlantique|CGT]]
| Ambrose
| Bishop Rock
| {{convert|2967|nmi|km}}
| 4 d, 0 h, 6 m
| {{convert|30.99|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|Normandie||2}}
| [[File:Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg|25px]]
| 1937
| 4–8 August
| [[Compagnie Générale Transatlantique|CGT]]
| Ambrose
| Bishop Rock
| {{convert|2936|nmi|km}}
| 3 d, 22 h, 7 m
| {{convert|31.20|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{RMS|Queen Mary||2}}<ref>In January 1946, ''Queen Mary'' recorded her fastest ever crossing to Southampton in 3 days, 22 hours, 42 minutes, at an average speed of 31.9 knots. However, as she left from Halifax and was in war service at the time, this was not counted as a new record for the Blue Riband.[https://opposite-lock.com/topic/22523/rms-queen-mary-pt-2] </ref>
| [[File:Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|30px]]
| 1938
| 10–14 August
| [[Cunard Line|C-WS]]
| Ambrose
| Bishop Rock
| {{convert|2938|nmi|km}}
| 3 d, 20 h, 42 m
| {{convert|31.69|kn|km/h}}
|-
| {{SS|United States||2}}<ref>{{cite news |url = http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=livlibtda&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=BasicSearchForm&docId=CS101928680&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0 |title = Atlantic Riband for America |work = [[The Times]] |location = London |date = 8 July 1952 |page = 6 |issn = 0140-0460 |via = The Times Digital Archive |access-date =  27 April 2017 }}</ref>
| [[File:US flag 48 stars.svg|29px]]
| 1952
| 3–7 July
| [[United States Lines|USL]]
| Ambrose
| Bishop Rock
| {{convert|2942|nmi|km}}
| 3 d, 10 h, 40 m
| {{convert|35.59|kn|km/h}}
|-
|}

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

==See also==
*[[Transatlantic sailing record]]
*[[Ocean Rowing Society International|Ocean Rowing Society]]
*[[Orteig Prize]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite web|author=Arnd Stroeh|title=From Superliners to Airliners|date=27 February 2003|url=http://web.bryant.edu/~ehu/h364proj/fall_98/stroeh/index.htm|access-date=2 January 2008}}
* {{cite web|title=The Blue Riband of the North Atlantic, westbound and eastbound holders|author=Jeff Newman|publisher=greatships.net|url=http://www.greatships.net/riband.html|access-date=2 January 2008}}
** which cites {{cite book|title=North Atlantic Seaway, Vol. 5|author=N.R.P. Bonsor|year=1980}}
* {{cite web|author=Michael Pocock|url=http://www.maritimequest.com/liners/kronprinz_wilhelm_1901/kronprinz_wilhelm_data.htm|title=Information about the Kronprinz Wilhelm's award-winning voyage|publisher=Maritime Quest|access-date=2 January 2008}}

==External links==
*[https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/b2/e4/b1/b2e4b1370c99996c445685d352708297.jpg SS ''Rex'' flying blue pennant] at pinterest

{{Extreme motion}}

[[Category:Blue Riband holders| ]]
[[Category:Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:Water transport]]
[[Category:Shipping awards]]