This illustrated history contains over 180 black and white photographs depicting the ships of the Cunard Line. Started in 1840, the line was the result of Samuel Cunard's dream to provide a regular transatlantic mail and passenger steamship service and it quickly became the hallmark of excellence by which other shipping companies were judged. Text and photographs tell the history of over 70 Cunard Line ships from the first, Britannia, launched from Liverpool in 1840, to famous names such as Mauretania and her ill-fated sister ship, Lusitania, and the iconic cruise liners Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Elizabeth 2. Photographs show the liners at sea and in port as well as featuring interiors and life aboard ship.