During the late nineteenth century, the Atlantic liners underwent a tremendous transformation. Previously only an unpleasant, uncomfortable and slow means of crossing a frequently vicious ocean, they suddenly became symbols of luxury, power, and strength. Each one, in turn, became legend. Some attained this mythic status for their distinct record of service during both peace and war; others are remembered for their catastrophic and ignominious fates. Their stories – their histories – are insightful, fascinating, and inextricably intertwined with the history of the world throughout the first half of the twentieth century.

The Book – Atlantic Liners: A Trio of Trios

To commemorate the histories of these great ships, and to study how their careers were so inextricably intertwined, maritime researcher J. Kent Layton wrote and published a volume on some of the most famous of these Atlantic liners. It was released on May 7, 2005 as, Atlantic Liners: A Trio of Trios. The book specifically focuses on the history of nine ships: The Cunard Line’s Lusitania, Mauretania and Aquitania; White Star’s Olympic, Titanic and Britannic; and Hamburg-Amerika’s Imperator, Vaterland and Bismarck, ships that served after the war as the Berengaria, Leviathan and Majestic, respectively. The book is packed with details about the liners, their careers, and their specifications. It also contains many rare and previously unpublished photographs and illustrations of them, including their full general arrangement plans.

Even though it is a print-on-demand publication that has not been available in your local bookstore, its sales have also been enthusiastic, and response to the information contained in its pages has also been impressive. Make sure to order your copy today!

The Site

This site is meant to accompany the book and further the ever-expanding realm of online research into the Atlantic liners; it is the “home port” for the beginning of your journey into some of the most memorable ships in history. Here you can find all of the latest updates and research on the vessels, as well as technical specifications and additional information. There are also many photographs and digital illustrations of the liners that could not be included in the finished volume. On the Links page there are many other web pages and sites listed that can help you to continue your journey of research and discovery. In the Books page, you will find a comprehensive listing of some of the best publications available on the Atlantic liners, which have been given the "Blue Riband Book Award".

Meet the author, J. Kent Layton, here.

Other Accomplishments

Recently, Kent put together a lengthy article on the possibility that the Titanic was going to be brought into New York Harbor on the night of Tuesday, April 16, 1912, rather than on Wednesday morning, as had originally been scheduled. This is a relatively controversial topic, and this article, entitled, "The Arrival That Never Took Place…" studies the evidence in a clear, objective manner. No article like this has, to this author’s knowledge, ever found its way to print before.

The Titanic International Society recently picked the article up and published it in a fully illustrated edition, spanning two of their quarterly issues (Nos. 54 and 55). You can contact the TIS directly to request a copy of either or both of these issues.

Additionally, Mr. Layton has finished a comprehensive tutorial for building a super-detailed model of the Lusitania from the kit in 1/350 scale for the Titanic Research & Modeling Association. It can be found here.

This is the author's most recent achievement, "Lusitania: An Illustrated Biography of the Ship of Splendor":

Click on the image above for all the details on this incredible new publication.

Meanwhile, preliminary work is also proceeding on a second volume of Atlantic Liners, which will focus on the Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth 2, Queen Mary 2, Normandie and France/Norway. Pages on these liners will be slowly brought on line and expanded as research on them continues.

Contributing / Materials Use

Since this site was first launched, many have contributed material to its pages and to the pages of the original Atlantic Liners book. To these contributors go my sincere thanks. For original artwork, please see the Contributor’s Gallery. Some of this artwork has also been converted into desktops for various resolutions. If you have material on these liners that you would like to share – either through the site or through the two upcoming projects, then please feel free to Contact Mr. Layton.

On the other hand, if you are interested in aquiring material in Mr. Layton's collection to use in your own project, please feel free to contact the author directly on the matter, via the contact page links.

Three Years and Getting Stronger…

On March 28, 2007, the Atlantic Liners site celebrated its third anniversary. At that time, there had been some 350,000 individual page loads by 80,000 unique visitors. 

In the last eight months, the number of page loads has climbed until, just today, November 16, 2007, it has surpassed the half-million mark. That means that there have been 150,000 page loads in eight months, compared with 350,000 during the previous three years -- an exponential and incredible increase.

As the good reputation of this site continues to grow, and the site itself expands and diversifies, the popularity of Atlantic Liners is now greater than it has ever been. On any given day, there are between 500 and 1,500 page loads by an average of 200-300 “passengers”. 

There are many good sites about the old Atlantic liners, but the information contained within the pages of this site is certainly unique. Make sure to stay tuned for further updates and news through the News Page. It is sincerely hoped that you will enjoy your time spent here, and that you will also be enriched in your knowledge of these great ships. Welcome aboard.

Mr. J. Kent Layton

	Poseidon - Fact or Fiction? Find Out Here.

• Click Here to see the Atlantic Liners' Blue Riband Books
• Click Here to Read Feedback on Atlantic Liners: A Trio of Trios
• Click Here to Purchase a softcover standard copy of Lusitania: An Illustrated Biography direct from the author on Ebay
• Click Here to Purchase a softcover signed & numbered copy of Lusitania: An Illustrated Biography direct from the author on Ebay
• Click Here to Purchase a hardcover standard copy of Lusitania: An Illustrated Biography direct from the author on Ebay.
• Click Here to Purchase a hardcover signed & numberd copy of Lusitania: An Illustrated Biography directly from the author on Ebay
• Click Here to Purchase a softcover standard copy of Lusitania: An Illustrated Biography direct from the Author at Amazon Marketplace
• Click Here to see "The Gallery," Filled With Contributions from Atlantic Liners' Patrons
• Click Here to see the France/Norway Page