The Liners - Vol. 1 - Maiden Voyage / Ships Of War DVD

Ocean Liners were far more than simply giant ships that carried passengers across the seas. They were bold statements of national power and technology might. Like rocket ships in the space-race of the 1970's liners were the symbol of ultimate power in the struggle between the super-powers for dominance of the world. Maiden Voyage: By the 1850's Ocean Liners - the largest man-made objects that ever moved - were turning vast ocean barriers into blue highways. They were shrinking the world facilitating the greatest movement of people in history. Britain ruled the waves... but rivalry for the fabled Blue Ribbon an award given only to the fastest liners travelling from Europe to America was intense. By the late 19th century Germany challenged Britain's dominance by launching the first super liner the Kaiser Wilhelm Der Groose. Britain responded with the Luistania Mauritania and Aquitania and later the White Star liners Olympic and the ill-fated Titanic. Ships of War: Britain and Germany go to war and the liners become embroiled in the conflict. The sinking of the Luistania by a German U Boat shocked the world. The Roaring Twenties saw the rich and famous dancing their way across the world's oceans in absolute luxury on one lobg cocktail party. By the end of the decade the world was in financial chaos. Ironically The Great Depression saw European governments providing cash-flow for a new breed of superliners including Britain's Queen Mary and France's Normandy. [show more]

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