We have already seen how Billy Hunter was born to George and Dorothy Hunter in Sunderland on 5 June 1901. He was baptised William Wilson in St Paul’s Church, Hendon, Sunderland on 20 June, William was a family name his Grandfather, Great Grandfather, 2 Greats Grandfather, and 3 Greats Grandfather had all been christened with… Read More »
By the start of the 20th century British dominance of the Atlantic Passenger Trade had been lost to Germany and America. Cunard the British flag bearer in the trade had concentrated on smaller slower more efficient ships, but that policy was loosing out to competitors’ speed and luxury. So it was in 1901 Cunard began… Read More »
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries Britain was the biggest ship building country in the world. Britain had gained the lead from the Americas around 1850 as the industry moved from wooden shipbuilding (in which the Americans excelled) to iron and steel. The civil war in the US preoccupied them to the extent… Read More »