ssMaritime.com & ssMaritime.net
With Reuben Goossens
Maritime Historian
The following is the latest consensus list of the research to date. Because
there was no sanctioning body for the Blue Riband
researchers are limited to surviving shipping company archives and press
reports to develop the list of Blue Riband winners.

SS United States
continues to hold the Blue Riband to this day!
Westbound
Record Breakers & Official Blue Riband Holders
Each ship is linked to Wikipeda.org, although those marked with an * are also
listed on the ssMaritime - INDEX
|
Steamer |
Year |
Dates. |
Line |
From |
To |
Distance |
Days, hours, minutes |
Speed |
|
1838 |
4
April–22 April |
B&A |
|
|
3,583 nautical
miles (6,636 km) |
18 d,
14 h, 22 m |
8.03 knots
(14.87 km/h) |
|
|
1838 |
8
April–23 April |
GW |
Avonmouth |
|
3,220 nautical
miles (5,960 km) |
15 d,
12 h, 0 m |
8.66 knots
(16.04 km/h) |
|
|
1838 |
2
June–17 June |
GW |
Avonmouth |
|
3,140 nautical
miles (5,820 km) |
14 d,
16 h, 0 m |
8.92 knots
(16.52 km/h) |
|
|
1839 |
18
May–31 May |
GW |
Avonmouth |
|
3,086 nautical
miles (5,715 km) |
13 d,
12 h, 0 m |
9.52 knots
(17.63 km/h) |
|
|
1841 |
4
June–15 June |
Cunard |
|
|
2,534 nautical
miles (4,693 km) |
10 d,
19 h, 0 m |
9.78 knots
(18.11 km/h) |
|
|
1843 |
29
April–11 May |
GW |
|
|
3,068 nautical
miles (5,682 km) |
12 d,
18 h, 0 m |
10.03 knots
(18.58 km/h) |
|
|
1845 |
19
July–29 July |
Cunard |
|
|
2,534 nautical
miles (4,693 km) |
9 d, 20
h, 30 m |
10.71 knots
(19.83 km/h) |
|
|
1848 |
3
June–12 June |
Cunard |
|
|
2,534 nautical
miles (4,693 km) |
9 d, 0
h, 16 m |
11.71 knots
(21.69 km/h) |
|
|
1848 |
14
October–23 October |
Cunard |
|
|
2,534 nautical
miles (4,693 km) |
8 d, 23
h, 0 m |
11.79 knots
(21.84 km/h) |
|
|
1850 |
18
May–27 May |
Cunard |
|
|
2,534 nautical
miles (4,693 km) |
8 d, 14
h, 50 m |
12.25 knots
(22.69 km/h) |
|
|
1850 |
11
September–21 September |
Collins |
|
|
3,050 nautical
miles (5,650 km) |
10 d, 4
h, 45 m |
12.46 knots
(23.08 km/h) |
|
|
1851 |
6
August–16 August |
Collins |
|
|
3,039 nautical
miles (5,628 km) |
9 d, 19
h, 26 m |
12.91 knots
(23.91 km/h) |
|
|
1854 |
28
June–7 July |
Collins |
|
|
3,037 nautical
miles (5,625 km) |
9 d, 16
h, 52 m |
13.04 knots
(24.15 km/h) |
|
|
1856 |
19
April–29 April |
Cunard |
|
|
3,045 nautical
miles (5,639 km) |
9 d, 16
h, 16 m |
13.11 knots
(24.28 km/h) |
|
|
1863 |
19
July–27 July |
Cunard |
Queenstown |
|
2,820 nautical
miles (5,220 km) |
8 d, 3
h, 0 m |
14.46 knots
(26.78 km/h) |
|
|
1872 |
17
May–25 May |
W.Star |
Queenstown |
|
2,778 nautical
miles (5,145 km) |
7 d, 23
h, 17 m |
14.53 knots
(26.91 km/h) |
|
|
1875 |
30
July–7 August |
W.Star |
Queenstown |
|
2,800 nautical
miles (5,200 km) |
7 d, 23
h, 7 m |
14.65 knots
(27.13 km/h) |
|
|
1875 |
17
September–25 September |
Inman |
Queenstown |
Sandy
Bank |
2,829 nautical
miles (5,239 km) |
7 d, 18
h, 2 m |
15.21 knots
(28.17 km/h) |
|
|
1876 |
27
October–4 November |
W.Star |
Queenstown |
|
2,795 nautical
miles (5,176 km) |
7 d, 13
h, 11 m |
15.43 knots
(28.58 km/h) |
|
|
1877 |
6
April–13 April |
W.Star |
Queenstown |
|
2,830 nautical
miles (5,240 km) |
7 d, 11
h, 37 m |
15.76 knots
(29.19 km/h) |
|
|
1882 |
9
April–16 April |
Guion |
Queenstown |
|
2,802 nautical
miles (5,189 km) |
7 d, 6
h, 20 m |
16.07 knots
(29.76 km/h) |
|
|
1882 |
14
May–21 May |
Guion |
Queenstown |
|
2,871 nautical
miles (5,317 km) |
7 d, 4
h, 12 m |
16.67 knots
(30.87 km/h) |
|
|
1882 |
18
June–25 June |
Guion |
Queenstown |
|
2,886 nautical
miles (5,345 km) |
7 d, 1
h, 58 m |
16.98 knots
(31.45 km/h) |
|
|
1883 |
29
April–6 May |
Guion |
Queenstown |
|
2,844 nautical
miles (5,267 km) |
6 d, 23
h, 48 m |
17.05 knots
(31.58 km/h) |
|
|
1884 |
13
April–19 April |
Guion |
Queenstown |
|
2,861 nautical
miles (5,299 km) |
6 d, 10
h, 10 m |
18.56 knots
(34.37 km/h) |
|
|
1885 |
16
August–22 August |
Cunard |
Queenstown |
|
2,801 nautical
miles (5,187 km) |
6 d, 5
h, 31 m |
18.73 knots
(34.69 km/h) |
|
|
1887 |
29
May–4 June |
Cunard |
Queenstown |
|
2,848 nautical
miles (5,274 km) |
6 d, 4
h, 12 m |
19.22 knots
(35.60 km/h) |
|
|
1888 |
27
May–2 June |
Cunard |
Queenstown |
|
2,854 nautical
miles (5,286 km) |
6 d, 1
h, 55 m |
19.56 knots
(36.23 km/h) |
|
|
1889 |
2
May–8 May |
Inman |
Queenstown |
|
2,855 nautical
miles (5,287 km) |
5 d, 23
h, 7 m |
19.95 knots
(36.95 km/h) |
|
|
1889 |
22
August–28 August |
Inman |
Queenstown |
|
2,788 nautical
miles (5,163 km) |
5 d, 19
h, 18 m |
20.01 knots
(37.06 km/h) |
|
|
1891 |
30
July–5 August |
W.Star |
Queenstown |
|
2,777 nautical
miles (5,143 km) |
5 d, 18
h, 8 m |
20.10 knots
(37.23 km/h) |
|
|
1891 |
13
August–19 August |
W.Star |
Queenstown |
|
2,778 nautical
miles (5,145 km) |
5 d, 16
h, 31 m |
20.35 knots
(37.69 km/h) |
|
|
1892 |
20
July–27 July |
Inman |
Queenstown |
|
2,785 nautical
miles (5,158 km) |
5 d, 15
h, 58 m |
20.48 knots
(37.93 km/h) |
|
|
1892 |
13
October–18 October |
Inman |
Queenstown |
|
2,782 nautical
miles (5,152 km) |
5 d, 14
h, 24 m |
20.70 knots
(38.34 km/h) |
|
|
1893 |
18
June–23 June |
Cunard |
Queenstown |
|
2,864 nautical
miles (5,304 km) |
5 d, 15
h, 37 m |
21.12 knots
(39.11 km/h) |
|
|
1894 |
12
August–17 August |
Cunard |
Queenstown |
|
2,776 nautical
miles (5,141 km) |
5 d, 9
h, 29 m |
21.44 knots
(39.71 km/h) |
|
|
1894 |
26
August–31 August |
Cunard |
Queenstown |
|
2,787 nautical
miles (5,162 km) |
5 d, 8
h, 38 m |
21.65 knots
(40.10 km/h) |
|
|
1894 |
23
September–28 September |
Cunard |
Queenstown |
|
2,782 nautical
miles (5,152 km) |
5 d, 7
h, 48 m |
21.75 knots
(40.28 km/h) |
|
|
1894 |
21
October–26 October |
Cunard |
Queenstown |
|
2,779 nautical
miles (5,147 km) |
5 d, 7
h, 23 m |
21.81 knots
(40.39 km/h) |
|
|
1898 |
30
March–3 April |
NDL |
Needles |
|
3,120 nautical
miles (5,780 km) |
5 d, 20
h, 0 m |
22.29 knots
(41.28 km/h) |
|
|
1900 |
6
July–12 July |
Hapag |
Eddystone |
|
3,044 nautical
miles (5,637 km) |
5 d, 15
h, 46 m |
22.42 knots
(41.52 km/h) |
|
|
1900 |
26
August–1 September |
Hapag |
|
|
3,050 nautical
miles (5,650 km) |
5 d, 12
h, 29 m |
23.02 knots
(42.63 km/h) |
|
|
1901 |
26
July–1 August |
Hapag |
|
|
3,141 nautical
miles (5,817 km) |
5 d, 16
h, 12 m |
23.06 knots
(42.71 km/h) |
|
|
1902 |
10
September–16 September |
NDL |
|
|
3,047 nautical
miles (5,643 km) |
5 d, 11
h, 57 m |
23.09 knots
(42.76 km/h) |
|
|
1903 |
2
September–8 September |
Hapag |
|
|
3,054 nautical
miles (5,656 km) |
5 d, 11
h, 54 m |
23.15 knots
(42.87 km/h) |
|
|
1907 |
6
October–10 October |
Cunard |
Queenstown |
|
2,780 nautical
miles (5,150 km) |
4 d, 19
h, 52 m |
23.99 knots
(44.43 km/h) |
|
|
1908 |
17
May–21 May |
Cunard |
Queenstown |
|
2,889 nautical
miles (5,350 km) |
4 d, 20
h, 22 m |
24.83 knots
(45.99 km/h) |
|
|
1908 |
5
July–10 July |
Cunard |
Queenstown |
|
2,891 nautical
miles (5,354 km) |
4 d, 19
h, 36 m |
25.01 knots
(46.32 km/h) |
|
|
1909 |
8
August–12 August |
Cunard |
Queenstown |
Ambrose |
2,890 nautical
miles (5,350 km) |
4 d, 16
h, 40 m |
25.65 knots
(47.50 km/h) |
|
|
1909 |
26
September–30 September |
Cunard |
Queenstown |
Ambrose |
2,784 nautical
miles (5,156 km) |
4 d, 10
h, 51 m |
26.06 knots
(48.26 km/h) |
|
|
1929 |
17
July–22 July |
NDL |
|
Ambrose |
3,164 nautical
miles (5,860 km) |
4 d, 17
h, 42 m |
27.83 knots
(51.54 km/h) |
|
|
1930 |
20
March–25 March |
NDL |
|
Ambrose |
3,157 nautical
miles (5,847 km) |
4 d, 17
h, 6 m |
27.91 knots
(51.69 km/h) |
|
|
1933 |
27
June–2 July |
NDL |
|
Ambrose |
3,149 nautical
miles (5,832 km) |
4 d, 16
h, 48 m |
27.92 knots
(51.71 km/h) |
|
|
1933 |
11
August–16 August |
Italian |
|
Ambrose |
3,181 nautical
miles (5,891 km) |
4 d, 13
h, 58 m |
28.92 knots
(53.56 km/h) |
|
|
1935 |
30
May–3 June |
|
Bishop
Rock |
Ambrose |
2,971 nautical
miles (5,502 km) |
4 d, 3
h, 2 m |
29.98 knots
(55.52 km/h) |
|
|
1936 |
20
August–24 August |
C-WS |
Bishop
Rock |
Ambrose |
2,907 nautical
miles (5,384 km) |
4 d, 0
h, 27 m |
30.14 knots
(55.82 km/h) |
|
|
1937 |
29
July–2 August |
Bishop
Rock |
Ambrose |
2,906 nautical
miles (5,382 km) |
3 d, 23
h, 2 m |
30.58 knots
(56.63 km/h) |
||
|
1938 |
4
August–8 August |
Bishop
Rock |
Ambrose |
2,907 nautical
miles (5,384 km) |
3 d, 21
h, 48 m |
30.99 knots
(57.39 km/h) |
||
|
1952 |
11
July–15 July |
|
Bishop
Rock |
Ambrose |
2,906 nautical
miles (5,382 km) |
3 d, 12
h, 12 m |
34.51 knots
(63.91 km/h) |
Eastbound
Record Breakers
Not to be confused with Blue Riband
holders
|
Steamer |
Year |
Dates |
Line |
From |
To |
Distance |
Days, hours, minutes |
Speed |
|
1838 |
1 May–19 May |
B&A |
|
|
3,159 nautical miles
(5,850 km) |
18/0/0 |
7.31 knots (13.54 km/h) |
|
|
1838 |
7 May–22 May |
GW |
|
Avonmouth |
3,218 nautical miles
(5,960 km) |
14 d, 15 h, 59 m |
9.14 knots (16.93 km/h) |
|
|
1838 |
25 June–8 July |
GW |
|
Avonmouth |
3,099 nautical miles
(5,739 km) |
12 d, 16 h, 34 m |
10.17 knots (18.83 km/h) |
|
|
1841 |
4 August–14 August |
Cunard |
|
|
2,610 nautical miles
(4,830 km) |
9 d, 21 h, 44 m |
10.98 knots (20.33 km/h) |
|
|
1842 |
28 April–11 May |
GW |
|
|
3,248 nautical miles
(6,015 km) |
12 d, 7 h, 30 m |
10.99 knots (20.35 km/h) |
|
|
1843 |
4 April–14 April |
Cunard |
|
|
2,534 nautical miles
(4,693 km) |
9 d, 12 h, 0 m |
11.11 knots (20.58 km/h) |
|
|
1843 |
18 May–27 May |
Cunard |
|
|
2,534 nautical miles
(4,693 km) |
9 d, 10 h, 44 m |
11.18 knots (20.71 km/h) |
|
|
1843 |
18 July–27 July |
Cunard |
|
|
2,534 nautical miles
(4,693 km) |
8 d, 22 h, 44 m |
11.80 knots (21.85 km/h) |
|
|
1849 |
19 July–28 July |
Cunard |
|
|
2,534 nautical miles
(4,693 km) |
8 d, 12 h, 44 m |
12.38 knots (22.93 km/h) |
|
|
1851 |
10 May–20 May |
Collins |
|
|
3,078 nautical miles
(5,700 km) |
9 d, 20 h, 14 m |
13.03 knots (24.13 km/h) |
|
|
1852 |
7 February–17 February |
Collins |
|
|
3,051 nautical miles
(5,650 km) |
9 d, 17 h, 15 m |
13.06 knots (24.19 km/h) |
|
|
1856 |
2 April–12 April |
Cunard |
|
|
3,048 nautical miles
(5,645 km) |
9 d, 10 h, 22 m |
13.46 knots (24.93 km/h) |
|
|
1856 |
14 May–23 May |
Cunard |
|
|
3,048 nautical miles
(5,645 km) |
9 d, 3 h, 24 m |
13.89 knots (25.72 km/h) |
|
|
1856 |
6 August–15 August |
Cunard |
|
|
3,046 nautical miles
(5,641 km) |
8 d, 23 h, 19 m |
14.15 knots (26.21 km/h) |
|
|
1863 |
16 December–24 December |
Cunard |
|
Queenstown |
2,800 nautical miles
(5,200 km) |
8 d, 5 h, 42 m |
14.16 knots (26.22 km/h) |
|
|
1869 |
4 December–12 December |
Inman |
|
Queenstown |
2,780 nautical miles
(5,150 km) |
7 d, 20 h, 33 m |
14.74 knots (27.30 km/h) |
|
|
1873 |
11 January–19 January |
W.Star |
|
Queenstown |
2,840 nautical miles
(5,260 km) |
7 d, 20 h, 9 m |
15.09 knots (27.95 km/h) |
|
|
1875 |
2 October–10 October |
Inman |
|
Queenstown |
2,820 nautical miles
(5,220 km) |
7 d, 15 h, 28 m |
15.37 knots (28.47 km/h) |
|
|
1876 |
5 February–13 February |
W.Star |
|
Queenstown |
2,894 nautical miles
(5,360 km) |
7 d, 15 h, 17 m |
15.79 knots (29.24 km/h) |
|
|
1876 |
16 December–24 December |
W.Star |
|
Queenstown |
2,892 nautical miles
(5,356 km) |
7 d, 12 h, 41 m |
15.94 knots (29.52 km/h) |
|
|
1879 |
22 July–29 July |
Guion |
|
Queenstown |
2,810 nautical miles
(5,200 km) |
7 d, 8 h, 11 m |
15.96 knots (29.56 km/h) |
|
|
1882 |
30 May–6 June |
Guion |
|
Queenstown |
2,791 nautical miles
(5,169 km) |
6 d, 22 h, 0 m |
16.81 knots (31.13 km/h) |
|
|
1882 |
12 September–19 September |
Guion |
|
Queenstown |
2,781 nautical miles
(5,150 km) |
6 d, 18 h, 37 m |
17.10 knots (31.67 km/h) |
|
|
1884 |
29 March–5 April |
Guion |
|
Queenstown |
2,916 nautical miles
(5,400 km) |
7 d, 2 h, 18 m |
17.12 knots (31.71 km/h) |
|
|
1884 |
26 April–3 May |
Guion |
|
Queenstown |
2,916 nautical miles
(5,400 km) |
6 d, 16 h, 57 m |
18.09 knots (33.50 km/h) |
|
|
1884 |
30 July–6 August |
Cunard |
|
Queenstown |
2,853 nautical miles
(5,284 km) |
6 d, 12 h, 54 m |
18.18 knots (33.67 km/h) |
|
|
1884 |
3 September–10 September |
Cunard |
|
Queenstown |
2,853 nautical miles
(5,284 km) |
6 d, 11 h, 9 m |
18.39 knots (34.06 km/h) |
|
|
1885 |
1 August–7 August |
Cunard |
|
Queenstown |
2,822 nautical miles
(5,226 km) |
6 d, 9 h, 0 m |
18.44 knots (34.15 km/h) |
|
|
1888 |
7 July–14 July |
Cunard |
|
Queenstown |
2,981 nautical miles
(5,521 km) |
6 d, 4 h, 50 m |
19.36 knots (35.85 km/h) |
|
|
1889 |
15 May–22 May |
Inman |
|
Queenstown |
2,894 nautical miles
(5,360 km) |
6 d, 0 h, 29 m |
20.03 knots (37.10 km/h) |
|
|
1892 |
17 August–23 August |
Inman |
|
Queenstown |
2,814 nautical miles
(5,212 km) |
5 d, 19 h, 57 m |
20.11 knots (37.24 km/h) |
|
|
1893 |
6 May–12 May |
Cunard |
|
Queenstown |
2,928 nautical miles
(5,423 km) |
5 d, 17 h, 27 m |
21.30 knots (39.45 km/h) |
|
|
1894 |
6 May–12 May |
Cunard |
|
Queenstown |
2,911 nautical miles
(5,391 km) |
3 d, 13 h, 28 m |
21.81 knots (40.39 km/h) |
|
|
1894 |
2 June–8 June |
Cunard |
|
Queenstown |
2,911 nautical miles
(5,391 km) |
5 d, 12 h, 59 m |
21.90 knots (40.56 km/h) |
|
|
1895 |
18 May–24 May |
Cunard |
|
Queenstown |
2,897 nautical miles
(5,365 km) |
5 d, 11 h, 40 m |
22.00 knots (40.74 km/h) |
|
|
1897 |
23 November–29 November |
NDL |
|
Needles |
3,065 nautical miles
(5,676 km) |
5 d, 17 h, 23 m |
22.33 knots (41.36 km/h) |
|
|
1900 |
18 July–24 July |
Hapag |
|
Eddystone |
3,085 nautical miles
(5,713 km) |
5 d, 15 h, 5 m |
22.84 knots (42.30 km/h) |
|
|
1900 |
4 September–10 September |
Hapag |
|
Eddystone |
2,981 nautical miles
(5,521 km) |
5 d, 7 h, 38 m |
23.36 knots (43.26 km/h) |
|
|
1901 |
13 June–19 June |
Hapag |
|
Eddystone |
3,083 nautical miles
(5,710 km) |
5 d, 11 h, 51 m |
23.38 knots (43.30 km/h) |
|
|
1901 |
10 July–17 July |
Hapag |
|
Eddystone |
3,082 nautical miles
(5,708 km) |
5 d, 11 h, 5 m |
23.51 knots (43.54 km/h) |
|
|
1904 |
14 June–20 June |
NDL |
|
Eddystone |
3,112 nautical miles
(5,763 km) |
5 d, 11 h, 58 m |
23.58 knots (43.67 km/h) |
|
|
1907 |
19 October–24 October |
Cunard |
|
Queenstown |
2,807 nautical miles
(5,199 km) |
4 d, 22 h, 53 m |
23.61 knots (43.73 km/h) |
|
|
1907 |
30 November–5 December |
Cunard |
Beady Hook |
Queenstown |
2,807 nautical miles
(5,199 km) |
4 d, 22 h, 33 m |
23.69 knots (43.87 km/h) |
|
|
1908 |
25 January–30 January |
Cunard |
|
Queenstown |
2,932 nautical miles
(5,430 km) |
5 d, 2 h, 41 m |
23.90 knots (44.26 km/h) |
|
|
1908 |
7 March–12 March |
Cunard |
|
Queenstown |
2,932 nautical miles
(5,430 km) |
5 d, 0 h, 5 m |
24.42 knots (45.23 km/h) |
|
|
1909 |
3 February–8 February |
Cunard |
Ambrose |
Queenstown, |
2,930 nautical miles
(5,430 km) |
4 d, 20 h, 27 m |
25.16 knots (46.60 km/h) |
|
|
1909 |
17 March–22 March |
Cunard |
Ambrose |
Queenstown |
2,934 nautical miles
(5,434 km) |
4 d, 18 h, 35 m |
25.61 knots (47.43 km/h) |
|
|
1909 |
5 May–10 May |
Cunard |
Ambrose |
Queenstown |
2,934 nautical miles
(5,434 km) |
4 d, 18 h, 11 m |
25.70 knots (47.60 km/h) |
|
|
1909 |
16 June–21 June |
Cunard |
Ambrose |
Queenstown |
2,933 nautical miles
(5,432 km) |
4 d, 17 h, 21 m |
25.88 knots (47.93 km/h) |
|
|
1924 |
20 August–25 August |
Cunard |
Ambrose |
|
3,198 nautical miles
(5,923 km) |
5 d, 1 h, 49 m |
26.25 knots (48.62 km/h) |
|
|
1929 |
27 July–1 August |
NDL |
Ambrose |
Eddystone |
3,084 nautical miles
(5,712 km) |
4 d, 14 h, 30 m |
27.91 knots (51.69 km/h) |
|
|
1933 |
10 June–15 June |
NDL |
Ambrose |
|
3,199 nautical miles
(5,925 km) |
4 d, 16 h, 15 m |
28.51 knots (52.80 km/h) |
|
|
1935 |
7 June–11 June |
|
Ambrose |
Bishop Rock |
3,015 nautical miles
(5,584 km) |
4 d, 3 h, 25 m |
30.31 knots (56.13 km/h) |
|
|
1936 |
26 August–30 August |
C-WS |
Ambrose |
Bishop Rock |
2,939 nautical miles
(5,443 km) |
3 d, 23 h, 57 m |
30.63 knots (56.73 km/h) |
|
|
1937 |
18 March–22 March |
|
Ambrose |
Bishop Rock |
2,967 nautical miles
(5,495 km) |
4 d, 0 h, 6 m |
30.99 knots (57.39 km/h) |
|
|
1937 |
4 August–8 August |
|
Ambrose |
Bishop Rock |
2,936 nautical miles
(5,437 km) |
3 d, 22 h, 7 m |
31.20 knots (57.78 km/h) |
|
|
1938 |
10 August–14 August |
C-WS |
Ambrose |
Bishop Rock |
2,938 nautical miles
(5,441 km) |
3 d, 20 h, 42 m |
31.69 knots (58.69 km/h) |
|
|
1952 |
3 July–7 July |
|
Ambrose |
Bishop Rock |
2,942 nautical miles
(5,449 km) |
3 d, 10 h, 40 m |
35.59 knots (65.91 km/h) |
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