At a time before budget air travel, when the ocean liner ruled the seas, the demand for speed, regularity and luxury on the transatlantic route launched a glorious era of ocean super-liners. They truly were spectacular design icons: stylish, elegant and massive in size, but beautiful to behold. They stirred the imagination; their achievements and exploits were legendary; and they were unique, both as a group and individually, each having a distinctive character and ‘look’ of its own. Unquestionably, they were veritable floating cities, the like of which had never been seen before and, with a solitary exception, have not been seen since.

Only thirteen ships were entitled to the ‘super-liner’ accolade: Imperator (later Berengaria), Vaterland (later Leviathan), Bismarck (later Majestic), Bremen, Europa (later Liberté), Rex, Normandie, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, United States, France (later Norway), Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2. In The True Transatlantic Super-liners, maritime authors David L. Williams and Richard P. de Kerbrech tell each ship’s equally singular story in fascinating detail and supplement the tales with stunning photographs of a bygone era.

RICHARD P. DE KERBRECH's marine engineering apprenticeship was with Shaw Savill & Albion Co. and Cammell Laird shipyard. Later an inspector with the Naval Overseeing service, he went on to lecture in mechanical engineering. He's a life member of the World Ship Society and a member of The Royal Institution of Naval Architects. DAVID L. WILLIAMS is a commercial & industrial photographer and author, previously responsible for the aircraft and hovercraft inservice support operation of Westland Aerospace. He spent time working aboard lighthouse tenders and cable layers and is an Associate of the British Institute of Professional Photographers and member of the World Ship Society.