Germany entered the scene Ocean liner

ss kaiser wilhelm der grosse of 1897

in 1897, norddeutscher lloyd launched ss kaiser wilhelm der grosse. followed 3 years later 3 sister ships. ship both luxurious , fast, managing steal blue riband british. first of fourteen ocean liners 4 funnels have emerged in maritime history. ship needed 2 funnels, more funnels gave passengers feeling of safety , power.

in 1900, hamburg america line competed own four-funnel liner, ss deutschland. obtained blue riband company. race speed, however, detriment passengers comfort , generated strong vibration, made owner lose interest in after lost blue riband ship of norddeutscher lloyd. used ten years transatlantic crossing before being converted cruise ship. until 1907 blue riband remained in hands of germans.

in 1902, j. p. morgan embraced idea of maritime empire comprising large number of companies. founded international mercantile marine co., trust comprised american shipping companies. trust absorbed leyland line , white star line. british government decided intervene in order regain ascendancy.