White Star Line

The White Star Line was bought by Thomas Ismay in 1868.  His son, Bruce, took over as company director in 1899 when Thomas died.  White Star was one of the first shipping lines to offer Third Class accommodation, in addition to First and Second Class. 

Rather than compete with the smaller and faster liners belonging to its main rival, Cunard, White Star committed to comfort and reliability, rather than to speed.  This was demonstrated in its three Olympic-class liners, Olympic, Titanic and Britannic, built by the Belfast shipyard of Harland & Wolff.