Launch of RMS Celtic 1901

Launch of the White Star liner, Celtic, at Queen’s Island, 4 April 1901.

In the foreground men are working at the empty slipway, while on the water, tugs prepare to manoeuvre Celtic’s giant hull to the fitting-out wharf for completion. Here teams of skilled craftsmen would turn the mainly empty vessel into a luxurious floating palace.  On her delivery to the White Star Line in July 1901, Celtic was the largest ship in the world at 20,904 tons.