Thanks so much for watching! Which of the Ballin trio is your favorite?
@michaelwhite2823
2 жыл бұрын
The big WHAAAAAT? LOL Great video. I'd love one on the Berengeria. Happy holidays to you and your viewers.
@kevinmcadams805
2 жыл бұрын
The SS Leviathan for sure, it the United States Line Livery is beautiful and the conversation process made for the best ship of the day.
@nickblaine12
2 жыл бұрын
Will you be able to reupload the Normandie video?
@Brock_Landers
2 жыл бұрын
I would definitely say that the Majestic (ex Bismarck) was my favorite. Don't ask me why, she just looked clean and comfortable with beautiful lines. Especially when painted in the White Star livery with the gold stripe.
@chinitonamoreno
2 жыл бұрын
Majestic
@jeffsilber2691
2 жыл бұрын
I worked for US lines in the 60s at One Broadway, NYC. The old timers there still talked of her greatness. At the elevator banks on each floor were copper and brass cigarette receptacles each filled with white sand. Each day they were cleaned and the USL logo of crossed flags was impressed by a cookie cutter like device. Clearly these were saved from the Leviathan. I've often wondered what became of them. yes, the Leviathan is my favorite
@lucasrem1870
2 жыл бұрын
Holland America, Rotterdam is still sailing, 1930! My grandfather played music on them back then, till 1940! Vaterland ! Means Home land!
@johnjoseph3667
2 жыл бұрын
I hv one of the 12-psgr aluminum life rafts from s.s. U.S. Wrote the CEO of the conservancy but never heard back from her--I think she's Gibbs' granddaughter
@lucasrem1870
2 жыл бұрын
@@johnjoseph3667 RMS Lusitania it was, County Cork, Ireland, what you have is not real.
@kevinmcadams805
2 жыл бұрын
That is so cool I would love to know what happened to those too! Evidently a lot of the interior fixtures were auctioned off in Scotland before she was completely scrapped, so most those interior fittings must be running around Europe still.
@velezdragon3574
2 жыл бұрын
@@johnjoseph3667 so cool I know her personally I can let her know for you?
@map3384
2 жыл бұрын
Being a dry ship killed her. What a stupid law it was.
@Echospancakes
2 жыл бұрын
It really was stupid. Although I could see Leviathan being popular with families though but either way I would've probably booked a trip with a Cunard or White star liner instead
@Brock_Landers
2 жыл бұрын
I couldn't agree more. Prohibition killed the American liners...all of them. The US liners (with my personal exception to how great the SS US was because it will always be among my personal favorites) were always thought as feeble and poorly styled and constructed. It's truly sad that the SS US came out during the decline of ocean travel.
@vapsa56
2 жыл бұрын
Prohibition was not a law. It was an amendment made to the Constitution of the United States. The 18th amendment. Laws can be overturned through the court system if deemed unconstitutional. The 18th admendment was created this way prevent the courts all the way up to Supreme Court from calling it unconstitutional. It took another amendment to the Constitution, the 21st, to resind the 18th. It was a horrible admendment, push for religious reasons. And it gave rise to organized crime. Which we still deal with to this day.
@boataxe4605
Жыл бұрын
@@vapsa56 Yes, and that is why federal drug laws are unconstitutional. The constitution says nothing about drugs, therefore according to the 10th amendment they fall under the jurisdiction of the states.
@michaelplunkett8059
Жыл бұрын
@@truthseeker2321 As my 1884 born grandfather said, it was terrible because it taught Americans to have 0 respect for their government.
@zeddeka
Жыл бұрын
The sense you get of the ship is that it was huge. The rooms look so big - much bigger than on other liners.
@mrpeel3239
2 жыл бұрын
So appreciate you putting the great liners in the historical context of their tumultuous times.
@elanthys
Жыл бұрын
I lover her design, especially this massive façade for the bridge at the front flanked by vertical columns with very small bridge wings… Such a powerful, almost pre-Brutalist look, no doubt meant to project the might of her ‘Vaterland’ namesake. It makes for a very striking and beautifully imposing ship. I’d kill to visit her interior, with these split funnels freeing the space, it must have been absolutely glorious to see… These giant ships were truly one-of-a-kind ❤️
@jeffg.8964
2 жыл бұрын
One of my mother’s cousin’s grandfather was an officer on the Vaterland, he may have been the first officer, Christian Schultz. After war broke out, he stayed in the USA and never returned to Germany. He became a successful cutlery merchant. I never met him but have fond memories of his widow, who we variously called Mrs Schultz or Mutti.
@Martian_Productions
2 жыл бұрын
I have two extremely old photographs of the leviathan from 1918. They’re family heirlooms and I haven’t been able to find them online anywhere. I’m not sure if they’re one of a kind.
@daviddunsmore103
2 жыл бұрын
If those photos were taken by your family, then they are almost certainly unique and would never have been made public. Feel free to share them with us please! 😉
@221b-l3t
2 жыл бұрын
Yeah, I'm sure there is some sort of museum dedicated to these ships, send them an email with a copy, I'm sure they'd love to see them.
@xr6lad
2 жыл бұрын
@@daviddunsmore103 yea there’s so many wanting to rip them for their own use and profit. Do it!
@johnf.tashjian6326
2 жыл бұрын
I'm partial to the Mauretania because my mother, and her twin sister, were born aboard that ship while it was docked in New York Harbor in August , 1923.
@Gapsx1eGewehr
Жыл бұрын
I think we all have a part of us that would much rather have a Mauretania than a Leviathan in our lives.
@janisi9262
Жыл бұрын
Scrapping a ship is better than allowing it to sit and rot, but I really, REALLY hope the interiors were salvaged and repurposed in Scotland. The woodworking from ships of this era is beyond compare and I legitimately get goosebumps looking at it.
@elim7228
Жыл бұрын
Yes, I was thinking the same re the magnificent woodworking, bronze and metal work items and probably some other priceless things.
@sc1338
26 күн бұрын
I disagree, I’d rather enjoy its beautiful decay
@paullewis2413
2 жыл бұрын
Because of her new legendary fate, White Star’s “Titanic” is always touted as being ultra luxurious however Ballin’s Big Three of roughly the same era we’re not only larger but much more luxurious. Always sad when these great liners of the past went to the breakers because real ship lovers consider these beauties as almost human. Can’t say the same for today’s hideous monsters.
@Maldoror200
Жыл бұрын
PAUL LEWIS;..I feel ya, Paul..
@ilovetati91
Жыл бұрын
They really were not more luxurious if you compare both materials and architecture.
@GRAYR189
Жыл бұрын
Yes indeed. What beauty, grace, or elegance is there to the 236,800 ton Wonder of the Seas, the 183,500 ton Carnival Celebration, or even the 79,000 ton Queen Mary 2?
@geodot595
2 жыл бұрын
prohibition doomed her revenue, so uncalled for, shortcited.
@DSGNflorian
2 жыл бұрын
While it's the only Edwardian-era "trio" of super liners that didn't suffer a material loss, the three German giants were "least likely to succeed" in the economic realities of the inter-war years. They were designed and scaled to fit a pre-war world of unrestricted migration to the US via continental Europe, anticipating that their tremendous passenger capacities in both steerage and First Class were to be amply utilized. Then the war changed it all. Of all the Edwardian giants, only the Olympic had enough operating economy that would keep her close to profitable even when poorly booked during winter months throughout the 20s. Leviathan burnt about the same amount of fuel as Majestic, but never had even close to similar passenger numbers. Being a dry ship not only meant fewer passenger bookings, but also no revenue from selling liquor on board, a considerable extra source of income for the shipping lines (and tips for the service staff). The fuel burn was 40-50% higher than Olympic. White Star clearly had a better handle on what it took to run big ships profitably. It was no coincidence that Cunard's Aquitania was more or less a copy of the Olympic Class.
@SudrianTales
Жыл бұрын
Ironic that White Star had the better ideals on how to run the company in many ways but Cunard ended up winning.
@Gapsx1eGewehr
Жыл бұрын
While Aquitania did have many similarities to the Olympic-class, calling her a copy is hardly the truth! She had her own style of luxury, different deck spaces, colour themes, and had that Cunard spirit to her with the pretty red funnels and jet black hull. Not to mention the massive nosecone on that big girl, I say a good 200 feet of her over all 901 were pure bow.
@therealtony2009
Жыл бұрын
@@SudrianTales titanic is one hell of a drug
@TheCarnivalguy
2 жыл бұрын
Very well presented. I have one of the Leviathan"s menus with her orchestra's concert program for that evening. Also, several vintage unused postcards of the Leviathan from the 1920s. I would recommend "A Man And His Ship: America's Greatest Naval Architect And His Quest To Build The SS United States". It is an excellent, interesting read of Gibbs' life and goes into detail concerning the SS Leviathan, SS America, the WWII Liberty ships, as well as the SS United States and the United States Lines. (I also have a fold out seasonal sailing schedule from the US Lines 1934). Cheers
@aegonthedragon7303
2 жыл бұрын
Now this will be an interesting one. Leviathan had the markings of a varsity liner but was dealt many bad hands that ultimately killed it.
@johnmiller9024
2 жыл бұрын
The worst possible hand LEVIATHAN was dealt was Prohibition
@aegonthedragon7303
2 жыл бұрын
That and no running mate. Not only would you have to wait longer to sail, you then had less options. Compare this to the British, and mainly the French who gave free high quality wines at service, and its no contest as to what shipping line you would sail with.
@653j521
2 жыл бұрын
@@aegonthedragon7303 My father's aunt took the Leviathan to Korea from the US where she was a missionary and teacher. I'm sure her interest wasn't in wine. :D I think it is a grand and powerful name. (I gather from this video the ship only took people as far as Europe and she had to travel on to Korea other ways.)
@freebird1ification
2 жыл бұрын
@@aegonthedragon7303 yep seems alcaholics would sail across the atlantic in a rowboat if you give them booze
@TheCarnivalguy
2 жыл бұрын
@@aegonthedragon7303 Totally agree with these reasons. When I posted on a popular ocean liner FB group my reasons for the unsuccessful Leviathon (no running mate/s, Prohibition, and later the Great Depression) I was summarily shut down as being incorrect and contributing to those long standing myths about the SS Leviathon. Their reasoning was that the ship was mismanaged by the US Lines. And one of the dissenters that responded to my post was a semi well known author of maritime books. I think they were relying on info within Frank Braynard’s multi volume opus on the ship. I do not have access to those out of print books so I could offer no opinion. Logically, I continue to believe three main reasons why the ship was not a success. Cheers
@Lisvonian
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this feature, my great-great grandfather served on the Leviathan during WWI. I was hoping to see a feature on it since the coverage of the class itself
@geodot595
2 жыл бұрын
late in ww1 and after, humphrey bogart was a crewmember. so severe was the spanish flu at the time, bogart assisted burial at sea of many doughboys who died on their way home.
@margm4
2 жыл бұрын
Really enjoying this series. Those ships so beautifully decorated, no expense saved there. Compared to todays ships, you really can’t compare. Those old times really had a sense of grandeur. 🇦🇺
@bjokvi91
2 жыл бұрын
3:40 Btw, in german the V is pronounced like F, so the german word for fatherland is faterland, not "waterland"
@denisegore1884
2 жыл бұрын
The interiors of the old liners make modern cruise ships just look vulgar. you forgot to mention that this ship is believed to have carried Spanish Flu to France.
@kevinmcadams805
2 жыл бұрын
A German orphan adopted by the United States, the Vaterland/Leviathan has the most unique and complicated history of the Edwardian era Trio of trio’s Super liners. This ships time as a troopship can easily be equated to the Queen Mary and how beneficial it was to the World War One campaign. Fun fact: Humphrey Bogart sailed on the Leviathan during his Naval career.
@itsjohndell
2 жыл бұрын
@@earlofcruisegw1727 This is true. It is now widely accepted that the flu spread among inductees in the US at Carlyle Barracks in Pennsylvania and was carried to Europe.
@JJMHigner
2 жыл бұрын
Absolutely! She was the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth of her day when it came to troop transporting.
@the4tierbridge
2 жыл бұрын
@@earlofcruisegw1727 It’s believed to have gone from Asia, to North and South America, to Europe, to Africa.
@kevinmcadams805
2 жыл бұрын
@@earlofcruisegw1727 she certainly did carry it there! An argument could be made that because she brought so many troops over with the flu and the war ended that much earlier. According to Frank braynards book over 8000 men were stricken with it on one voyage.
@kevinmcadams805
2 жыл бұрын
@@the4tierbridge That’s right, it had probably been in America for several years before it really took off at camp Funston in Kansas.
@stevie-ray2020
2 жыл бұрын
With so may troops on board it's not surprising that the 'Spanish-Flu' spread so quickly, especially as there's very strong evidence that it originated from America's Mid-West (despite it first being reported in Spain's media, most countries hushed up news of the pandemic to preserve morale)!
@shaunstrasser1
2 жыл бұрын
At a military base in Kansas is where the Spanish Flu first occured in 1917
@trevorn9381
2 ай бұрын
@@shaunstrasser1 Yep, Fort Riley Kansas. The Army had a chicken farm on that base to provide eggs for the troops. The soldiers tasked with taking care of the chickens caught the flu from the chickens and it spread to other soldiers in the barracks who shipped out to Europe.
@johnmiller4973
Жыл бұрын
Here's the thing: in the end LEVIATHAN was a failure but for her first two years she was the second most popular liner on the Atlantic despite being a dry ship behind BERENGARIA She was also the fastest of the IMPERATOR class for the first two years her fastest crossing being a shade less then 25 knots on more then one occasion. She was beaten in 1925 by a westbound crossing of the MAJESTIC made at exactly 25 knots
@PopdaddysBBQ
2 жыл бұрын
I am Don Thomas. Hopefully that means something to you. Much of the information you are using in this video, I researched and wrote. This is an awesome job. Your entire channel.
@Fenderak
Ай бұрын
Nobody cares
@Kaidhicksii
2 жыл бұрын
And we're done. Always loved the Leviathan. She's my favorite of the Imperator-class and it's a shame she never had the career she was destined for. If only Gibbs got to build his original planned superliner: it would've made for the perfect running mate. Though we might not have gotten the Big U as a result, so it's a blessing in disguise, I guess. The Ballin trio were fantastic liners and I couldn't give a crap about the political environment they came from. If they had gotten to operate as intended, no doubt they would've been showstoppers on the North Atlantic run. Merry Christmas buddy. :D 🎄🦌🚢⚓
@anthonyjackson280
2 жыл бұрын
please do not use stock footage of 'something' just to show 'something' - as stated the ships were turbine powered, why therefore, are valve mechanisms from reciprocating (piston) engines repeatedly shown? bIt greatly reduces the integrity of the production, and raises doubt about the depth of subject knowledge of the presenter. I may add that it is a very common issue with many YT productions.
@davidhudson3534
2 жыл бұрын
Great video! I’ve read that First Lady Edith Wilson was tasked with renaming the seized German ships. She chose Revolutionary War figures and Native American tribes for all ships but two. Woodrow suggested the smallest be named Minnow and the largest be Leviathan.
@ve2vfd
2 жыл бұрын
And we all know what happened when the SS Minnow attempted to go on a 3 hour tour... a 3 hour tour... :)
@Shipwright1918
2 жыл бұрын
The ol' Levi Nathan, and her sister Bargain Area. That's what they used to call Leviathan and Berengaria back in the day.
@alannilsson6509
2 жыл бұрын
What year did she make her last trip bringing soldiers back from Europe? You state September 8, 1918. World War One didn't have an armistice until NOVEMBER 11, 1918?
@ikeyschultz4969
Жыл бұрын
This is an incredibly underrated KZitem channel. So much quality content. Thank you for all of this and keep up the exceptional work!
@daleslover2771
Жыл бұрын
👍👍👍
@floro7687
Жыл бұрын
Dumb. Speaks of turbines, and shows pistons!
@boataxe4605
2 жыл бұрын
9:53: Not true, the German crew did sabotage her machinery, doing things like removing bolts and filing down the threads so that they would give way under pressure, and clogging steam lines with lead. And as he was leaving the ship Chief engineer Otto Wolf said “You’ll never run her”.
@harriettedaisy2233
2 жыл бұрын
Source?
@boataxe4605
2 жыл бұрын
@@harriettedaisy2233 The book “The great liners” published in 1978 by Time/Life books.
@mcshipbuilder2319
2 жыл бұрын
I prefer the Imperator out of the three. She is beautiful,although she has issues here and there,She is a beauty, Her eagle figure is to me some sort of a proud german symbol and is kinda like her jewel. Her 1914 refit made her even less great looking i know it is to eliminate the stability problems,the removal of the eagle sucks. But when she became Berengaria,she became beautiful again. Sad that she is scrapped
@volpixrossi3589
Жыл бұрын
The eagle was removed due to the wings falling off during a storm.
@floridaactor
2 жыл бұрын
You were right the first time. The contest was to see who had the biggest…uh…tool.
@donaldlampert331
2 жыл бұрын
I have a large B&W photo of the Leviathan sitting at a dock, and possibly at the time of her decommissioning before scrapping, as she looks tired?! But she is quite something! Thanks for this great history!
@tedsmith6137
2 жыл бұрын
How can one call a German designed and built ship "American"? She was operated by an American line after she was seized by the US, but she was still a piece of German engineering.
@LadyAxe13
Жыл бұрын
I always listen to your videos while I work. Your "big dick" remark out of the blue had me scream-laughing! It was SO funny and SO out of place that it was just hilarious to me! 😂
@eriknewland3686
2 жыл бұрын
Hey there! I've loved getting into your channel over the last few months. I hope you eventually do a video covering the Soviet ocean liner MS Aleksandr Pushkin/Marco Polo, one of the last classic passenger ships in service. She was killed off by COVID, after surviving the collapse of the Soviet Union and 55 years in service.
@bryan2garcia
2 жыл бұрын
I own the 6 volume history book of the Leviathan and she was indeed a wonderful ship
@TheCarnivalguy
2 жыл бұрын
That must be the set by Frank Braynard. I would love to have that in my library amidst all my other ocean liner books. I have seen just one of the volumes priced at $50 to $80. That's out of this retiree's budget these days. Congrats!
@bryan2garcia
2 жыл бұрын
@@TheCarnivalguy i was able to Find it a couple of years ago all 6 for 100.00
@electrictractiontrainsandt3063
Жыл бұрын
What a great set of books on the Leviathan! I have all 6 and they are amazing.😀
@LaVictoireEstLaVie
2 жыл бұрын
SS Leviathan: America’s Failed Stolen Superliner
@johnmiller9024
2 жыл бұрын
She wasn't the failure that you make her out to be. As a matter of fact over her first 30 voyages she was more popular then her sisters BERENGARIA and MAJESTIC... But in the long run she did fail because of Prohibition
@monsieurcommissaire1628
2 жыл бұрын
The Imperator class weren't exactly pretty- handsome and imposing, certainly, but I don't get the urge to haul off and kiss one. In their original colour scheme, though, of black hulls with yellow funnels, they must have had a striking visual impact. Regardless of their exterior appearance, I would love to make a crossing on one, for their true greatness was in the quality of the passenger's experience...I would set the time machine for that short window before the start of the Great War. That way I could experience them as the great Albert Ballin intended. The food from the Ritz-Carlton must've been outstanding. Since I wouldn't want to go horking up that glorious food all over the immaculate teak decks, I would choose Vaterland over "Limperator"... I'm thinking Albert Ballin would be worth a video of his own at some point. His influence on passenger ships was huge and extended far beyong his tragically short lifetime. You and I know this, but this fascinating gentleman deserves to be known by all who love the great liners. Thank you for another excellent video. You're the best!
@Kaidhicksii
2 жыл бұрын
My thoughts exactly, though in all fairness to Imperator, the "limping" wasn't that noticeable. 😂
@brober
Жыл бұрын
Like her sister Majestic ,Leviathan developed major hull cracks due to the split funnel uptakes. It did not have the fire issues however due to Gibbs replacing all the faulty German wiring.
@Kaiserzeit1871
Жыл бұрын
Albert Ballin's ships were simply magnificent. They were always superior to their English competitors in terms of technology and safety. It is a shame that none of these ships has survived as a museum/hotel. They were ships from another time.
@golden.lights.twinkle2329
Жыл бұрын
But made a loss on every trip!
@jimmysamuelsson9254
2 жыл бұрын
Another great and interesting movie. I love how you also squeeze in a spot of irony and humor here and there. Looking at the ships design it is also intersting to see how some of the lifeboats are placed within the superstructure, a design feature which is standard today, a century later. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Really looking forward to your next upload 👍☺️
@MrButch-ls8vl
2 жыл бұрын
2:29 "The big dick ... I mean big ship ..." LOL!
@naclaski99
2 жыл бұрын
4:33 The Vaterland is powered by steam turbines (accompanied by pictures of reciprocating engines)
@jogman49
2 жыл бұрын
I was thinking the same haha
@barrydysert2974
2 жыл бұрын
Gorgeous! Thank you !:-)
@loubetti
2 жыл бұрын
Very well produced! Just one trivia tidbit: Albert Ballin's last name was pronounced as though spelled "Ballean" or "leen", not "lin" as in the name Lynn. Again, great work!
@itsjohndell
2 жыл бұрын
I'm frankly shocked that you did not at least mention the Country's succesful Super Liner by name...SS United States. Jointly built with Federal funds for the United States Line, the Navy requiring a fast troopship in the early days of the Cold War. She holds the Blu Riband to this day easily outpacing any other ship. Constructed of fireproof materials she could be converted to accommodate 35,000 troops and equipment within weeks. My Uncle was her Chief Engineer through much of her life, and as a kid I visited her many times. Sadly she's rotting away in Philadelphia. The story of a top speed of 34 knots? It's still officially secret but she could maintain 48 knots for many hours. The true Greyhound of the Atlantic.
@xr6lad
2 жыл бұрын
Hilarious how you alway make sly political comments: Vaterland is a nationalistic name but SS Independence, Constitution, America or United States wasn’t a reflection of political comment?
@mrsaturngamingandstories
2 жыл бұрын
SS Leviathan is ex German liner Vaterland entered service in 1914 and was scrapped in Scotland in 1938 SS Leviathan was nicknamed the Levination
@abnormal_paranoid6111
2 жыл бұрын
" The big dic- I mean the big ship battles began" 💀💀💀
@GeoStreber
Жыл бұрын
One important thing: SS Imperator is regarded to be male. Wilhelm II specifically requested that the ship be referred to as "he". Which means that SS Vaterland didn't have two sisters, but one sister and one older bro ^^
@DrJ-hx7wv
Жыл бұрын
Jealous? Germany and the UK were in an intense competition for industrial supremacy in Europe. Wilhelm's feelings were irrelevant.
@olympicnut
2 жыл бұрын
Contrary to what many believe, the Leviathan was a very popular passenger liner. In the 1920s, until the arrival of the Bremen in 1929, the Berengaria, Leviathan and Majestic dominated the transatlantic trade. Typically, the 3 ships traded spaces in the top 3 slots for the most popular liners in terms of average passengers carried per crossing. In 1923, the Levi was #2 on the Atlantic just behind Majestic. In 1926 and 1927, for example, the Leviathan was the #1 liner on the Atlantic. There is no evidence Prohibition hurt the ship's numbers. (Some say she did serve alcohol, and some say she did not) Reports of her "unpopularity" are flat out wrong. (I wrote a book on her and Frank Braynard's epic 6 volume set on her seems to be ignored as source material by some authors) The liner had made an average loss of about $5,000 per trip under control of the US Shipping Board from 1924-1929. Although she had been in the red overall the Leviathan must have run at a gross profit for some time, and even at a net profit in the late 1920s, under government operation in order for the average loss to be that small. (In fiscal year 1926, it was reported she was in the black by $1,000,000) Under Chapman management, the ship had made a gross profit of over $70,000 per voyage. The Leviathan had lost nearly $51,000 per trip under IMM management from 1931-1933. The Depression was the #1 reason for that. USL (IMM) did receive an indirect subsidy to run Leviathan during the Depression years, but the company wanted the ship gone and did not care.
@Kaidhicksii
2 жыл бұрын
Yeah that's true. I also did a presentation as part of my final high school project for history class. It was on Mr. Gibbs, so of course I had to have a slide about Leviathan. The ship was quite popular in her early years and she did end up serving alcohol later in her career. Still, she wasn't nearly as successful at turning a profit as the other liners were. Being an expensive ship with a lack of a suitable running mate(s) didn't help at all, and the Great Depression was what shut her down for good. Sad really. :(
@kevinkim271
2 жыл бұрын
Yes unfortunately most of the sources cited are from Wikipedia. Which in turn are sourced from fan sites that are either subjective or use bad information from secondhand sources that have been regurgitated over the decades. Leviathan is unique in that the late and notable maritime historian Frank Braynard devoted a six volume series on the liner. If he had the funds, I suspect he certainly would have wrote more. Which unfortunately as pointed out is flat out ignored. I don’t think Titanic or Olympic even have a book where so much information is compiled into it at length.
@jaredshane5500
2 жыл бұрын
This is an incredibly insightful post and tho I really like all of your vids this one is definitely one of your best because as a US Navy veteran I’m very interested in ships and I learned a lot from it. Thank you for your incredibly thorough research on this. I did not know Mr. Gibs of SS United States was involved in the Leviathan.
@whoarewe7515
2 жыл бұрын
Europeans don't just make and run ships better. They do everything better.
@crixxxxxxxxx
2 жыл бұрын
Americans were more focused on the future, which was air travel, rather than dominating the ocean liner industry.
@whoarewe7515
2 жыл бұрын
@@crixxxxxxxxx If American were focused on the future China wouldn't of over taken you as the dominant power and given the Russians time to catch up lol am joking.
@whoarewe7515
2 жыл бұрын
Also you wouldn't of caused a global recession lol
@crixxxxxxxxx
2 жыл бұрын
@@whoarewe7515 I’m talking about the first half of the 20th Century.
@mikeblatzheim2797
2 жыл бұрын
@@crixxxxxxxxx I mean, not really, after WW1 that honour went to the Brits, with their Imperial Airways. By the 1930s German Lufthansa had also caught up massively in terms of internationalair travel, whereas the US with its good railway system and internationally isolationist policies didn't really start to get into aviation until after the 2nd World War. That was mainly due to the massive amount of surplus military DC-3 and DC-4. When the US took the lead was in the 1950s, after the British aircraft industry had started to self-destruct. And only by the 1960s did ocean liners truly decline.
@MsCreepyChan
2 жыл бұрын
8:27 That is factually incorrect, in fact, Woody's entire philosophy on the war was "America is above such petty squabbles, we are the shining paragon of what a world power should be. Both sides would do so much better if they we dictated a peace between the two and the two powers be grateful that a magnanimous power such as us exists" It was his main political rival, Theodore Roosevelt, that was eager to bring America into the war backing the allies, specifically to show the world that America was ready and willing to take on the old world and secure it's place as a great power. Woodys head was firmly lodged in his own ass during WWI, at the peace negotiations, he pretty much told the Australians that they didn't even deserve a seat at the table, as they had done nothing during the war whilst brave American soldiers won it single handed. Gotta remember Woody's entire philosophy for world peace "America's duty is to be the single greatest country on the planet and it's every other countries duty to be grateful of this fact."
@peterleonard9846
2 жыл бұрын
I worked during summers in the 1980s at the Science Museum of Long Island (NY). The museum is based in an old mansion where they had what was called the Leviathan room. It was furnished with paneling and fixtures and a small bar which came from the ship. The original owner of the mansion apparently bought those things at auction when Leviathan was scrapped. I must go back and visit sometime.
@mrt3870
2 жыл бұрын
Around 11:18 - last repatriation voyage was September 8th 1919, not 1918. The stated decommissioning date is also a year too early.
@bcfairlie1
2 жыл бұрын
Veterans may not be the most elegant when you view her from some angles. However her Interiors were truly magnificent. Way ahead of both White Star Line and Cunard.
@golden.lights.twinkle2329
Жыл бұрын
Only rich people got to see the luxurious interiors.
@brick6347
2 жыл бұрын
They remind me of pugs. Ugly, but loveable. (Edit: on the outside. The interiors are beautiful)
@vilstef6988
Жыл бұрын
An excellent book which covers the great liners is The Sway of the Grand Saloon, a Social History of the North Atlantic by John Malcolm Brinnen. I go back to this book frequently.
@zeddeka
Жыл бұрын
It's a great read. One of the classic books for any fan of the great liners.
@vilstef6988
Жыл бұрын
@@zeddeka Last year, I got a copy of Frank Braynard's Lives of the Liners which I haven't read yet.
@NorseNerdleMeister
2 жыл бұрын
Can’t wait! This ship does not get enough attention
@kevinmcadams805
2 жыл бұрын
No it certainly doesn’t! Glad he made video!
@BELCAN57
2 жыл бұрын
Some American tourists gave her the affectionate nickname "S.S. Levi-Nathan".
@michaelharper4989
Жыл бұрын
Rumor has it, my mom's rumor, that one of my uncles served aboard the Leviathan during WW1.
@TheVaughan5
2 жыл бұрын
The 3 Ballin “Superliners” were certainly the most luxurious of their time. A lot of fuss is made about Titanic’s luxury merely because of her fate, the German ships made her look somewhat ordinary. Of course by the late 20’s NDL’s Bremen and Europa made the earlier liners looks a bit old fashioned and ushered in a new era of transatlantic luxury travel.
@ilovetati91
Жыл бұрын
The Ballin liners were absolutely not more luxurious than Titanic/Olympic
@nighthawk7877
Жыл бұрын
During the hight of the spanish influenza pandemic in 1918, the SS. Leviathan is believed to be one of the first ships to transport the disease to Europe. The ship set sail carrying somewhere around 9000 passengers, and by the 4th day of it's journey 2000 had already passed away from Influenza and many more were ill with it.
@golden.lights.twinkle2329
Жыл бұрын
2000 were sick but only 50 died.
@randomrazr
2 жыл бұрын
the original interiors are pretty impressive. i dare say even more impresive then titanics that most people are familiar with
@LarryCrandall-z2w
Ай бұрын
They had higher ceilings and larger more grandeur rooms. Really over the top, and kinda made Titanic seem dowdy.
@corsousa
2 жыл бұрын
Around 3:06 he says the ship was laid down on the 23th of March 1912, just over a month after the sinking of the titanic. The Titanic sunk on the 15th of April 1912, nearly a month after the first liner was laid down. Apart from that point little mistake it's a great and informative video. Well done
@rexstanley5120
2 жыл бұрын
He said may 23rd he might have corrected it
@cunard61
2 жыл бұрын
I didn't know the hot cot system was used on this ship during the war. and for her to carry 14,000 troops on a single crossing comes close to the Queen Mary's all time record of 16,000 during World War 2.
@johnmiller9024
2 жыл бұрын
Her normal troop carrying capacity was 10,000 but on certain eastbound voyages to Brest she was authorized to carry as many as 14,000 which apparently she did twice late in the war
@cunard61
2 жыл бұрын
@@johnmiller9024 I never knew she carried that many, it's quite a feat for 50,000 ton liner. Those long open center lines, resulting from the divided uptakes, must have allowed for some very large dormitories to house the troops.
@johnmiller9024
2 жыл бұрын
@@cunard61 the divided uptakes certainly helped. That's why the US Navy needed the NORMANDIE in service as a troop carrier after the US entered WWII. She would have been to carry around 16,000 troops from what I've heard without too much issue or around 2,000 more then the QUEENs
@cunard61
2 жыл бұрын
@@johnmiller9024 Yes, the loss of the Normandie, was almost incalculable at the time because America didn't have a large troopship of their own in 1942. The West Point was our largest, and she carried less troops than the old Aquitania did on the Atlantic. We became quite dependent on our allied nations for help in moving our troops across the Atlantic. And that's even after we had seized a number of foreign flag ships in our own harbors.
@kevinmcadams805
2 жыл бұрын
@@cunard61 Very well said! I’ve always wondered why they didn’t work harder to keep Bremen in US waters. I know at the time they didn’t have enough caused seize it but it seems like a shortsighted mistake. But the loss of the Normandie is one of the great screw ups of the 20th century.
@AltereanReviews
2 жыл бұрын
The interiors are incredible, easily some of the best ship interiors. Especially for the time they were built. Exterior was a bit meh, but not horrible. Majestic is probably my favorite of the 3.
@aegonthedragon7303
2 жыл бұрын
Besides Titanic for obvious reasons, Majestic is my favorite WS liner. She’s flat out gorgeous.
@mcshipbuilder2319
2 жыл бұрын
The Imperator/Berengaria.
@graemejwsmith
2 жыл бұрын
@4:35 you talk about her turbine engines and illustrate it with reciprocating engines....
@twstf8905
2 жыл бұрын
Haha _"One Upsman-SHIP"_ lol I see what you did there. 😉👍
@benadam7753
2 жыл бұрын
The documentary fails to state the RMS Lusitania was carrying war munitions in her cargo hold not listed on the ships registry, a violation of International Law! Which is why the Lusitania sank so fast with a huge loss of life!
@hordboy
2 жыл бұрын
My g-grandfather sailed to France on the Leviathan when he was drafted into the AEF. I have a postcard he wrote when he arrived safely in port. 37th Buckeye Div 146th Inf Co A, hooah!
@raybame5816
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this, I did not know all the information you provided. My F-I-L was Treasurer for USL and once said no passenger liners ever really made a profit. US Grvmt subsidy was required just like airlines today.
@itsjohndell
2 жыл бұрын
Thats why the Navy chose USL for SS United States.
@michaelwhalen2469
2 жыл бұрын
Although they were amazing ships with noteworthy careers, I’ve never cared much for exterior styling of the Baldwin Trio . On the outside I think they were boxy and very utilitarian looking. Almost “ Top Heavy “ in appearance !! By comparison, the Olympic Class trio had a sleek and yacht like sweep that was unbelievably breathtaking!! The interiors of the German ships though were indeed beautiful ! Loved the “Palm Court “ restaurant at the top of the wide raised staircase. I believe they were inspired by a famous hotel restaurant in NYC ? CLASSY!!
@BigOldBoats
2 жыл бұрын
Yeah, I find them fascinating because on one hand their interiors are absolutely beautiful but on the other... they're just too much in almost every way. Bulky, top heavy, a little over decorated. I wonder what they would have been like to sail on.
@reddeaddude2187
Жыл бұрын
1917: Happens US Government: Yoink! I'll be taking that
@Brock_Landers
2 жыл бұрын
Nice bud. Thanks for all your hard work on that video.
@RedcoatsReturn
2 жыл бұрын
Fascinating! I didn‘t know about the Zimmerman telegram either! 😊👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍😉🎄🎅🏻☃️
@gerdokurt
2 жыл бұрын
3:14 There is a mistake! Yes, usually the female gender is used for ships, even if they have a male name. but the Kaiser insisted that the male gender applies to the imperator. So, "he" is the correct pronoun, not she! In german, the difference is significant and it makes it truly a "stand alone". The effect in the language is difficult to explain. Some sort of personifaction is happening when you dont use the female gender. It`s not a ship called "Imperator", it`s "the Imperator".
@rchiribogar
2 жыл бұрын
My dad worked on her in Hoboken in the early 20s. What a great ship.
@pedenharley6266
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for another great video! Norman Friedman’a book on US Aircraft Carriers (in its chapter “The Orange War Mobilization Carriers”) mentions plans to convert Leviathan into an “XCV” auxiliary fleet carrier.
@jacktheIV44
2 жыл бұрын
This might sound like a cliche request, however I would love to see a elongated video telling the story of Olympic, Titanic, and Britannic.
@TonysGym07
2 жыл бұрын
Another disadvantage of Leviathan is the fact that since she was registered in the US she could not carry alcohol on her like her sisters did.
@richardcline1337
2 жыл бұрын
The federal government doomed her from the start by not allowing her to become "wet" after passing the three-mile-limit that gambling ships of today use.
@johnmiller9024
2 жыл бұрын
That was true up until 1930 when Congress relented and allowed alcohol to be served in the public rooms of American flag ocean liners once past the 12 mile limit
@alexm566
2 жыл бұрын
its mentioned in the video
@lawrencelewis2592
2 жыл бұрын
I've read that when the US seized the ship in 1917, the crew was asked if they wanted to become American citizens and those that did were taken to Ellis Island for processing.
@deepseadirt1
2 жыл бұрын
The late maritime historian Frank Braynard wrote a 4 volume set of books on this ship. It was his favorite of the ocean liners. I've not read them but they sound fascinating. After Gibbs's conversion of the ship the Immigration Quota was established circa 1924. But even if there was no quota, the money had been made bringing people from Europe to America not the other way round. Nobody was emigrating to Europe in vast numbers. Good points were that the British lines allowed consumption of alcohol(Prohibition reigned in America in the 1920s) and the Leviathan had no viable running mate within the US Lines. A superlative large ship kind of misused. Another bit of history connected with this ship is in 1926 she almost capsized mid-Atlantic during a vicious storm and some repairs on the superstructure had to be carried out. I always thought this is where the story for THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE came from. Others say it was based on a Queen Mary incident. Thanks for the video!
@chriscothran8744
2 жыл бұрын
Ah yes the United States Lines, the RC Cola of shipping companies.
@ellenbryn
Жыл бұрын
Excellent as ever, and the Big, ah, Ship measuring contest was inspired. Trivia note: Latin Imperator, emperor, was no doubt another way to, er, stroke Kaiser Wilhelm's ego. Originally a title for triumphant generals in the Roman Republic, Imperator was adopted by Augustus as his chief title when he took over as , well,the first emperor. When the late Roman Empire became too big to manage, it was divided into administrative zones with sub-emperors called Caesars in charge of some of them, whence the titles Kaiser and Tsar. Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor, Imperator in Latin, and the Holy Roman Empire was thus the Second Reich, with its Emperorship lasting right through the middle ages until Germany was formed out of most of its bits and pieces. Outside the Holy Roman Empire/Germany, Imperator and its abbreviation IMP appeared from time to time all over Europe, from Imperator Napoleon to Imperatrix Queen Victoria, a title meant to butter up *her* ego as Empress of India. Grandmama couldn't be greater than Kaiser Wilhelm, so I think he was Imperator as well. Which brings us back to big ship oneupmanship, his jealousy of the British Empire, and the need of the ship builders to curry favor.
@williamhilbert8324
2 жыл бұрын
Turn it down to.75 and he just sounds like a smart stoner
@flashcar60
Жыл бұрын
Gibbs ultimately triumphed with his 38-knot SS United States, which still holds the transatlantic speed record for ocean liners.
@matthewgeist6483
2 жыл бұрын
Beautiful moster liner she in her own world big friendly monster 👹❤️
@avnrulz8587
Жыл бұрын
It's interesting she wasn't scrapped during the war when the material demands were so high.
@tony8074
2 жыл бұрын
Prohibition was the main cause of the Leviathan failure. People liked the escapism that liners offered. Alcohol is a big part of getting there is half the fun. Those liners that were not dry had an advantage over dry ships.
@Gapsx1eGewehr
Жыл бұрын
I still find it kinda funny that Americans that wished to drink during their voyage simply flocked to the British ships, leaving the American ones pretty empty. Dunno how the government didn't notice the obvious downside to the silly Prohibition amendment.
@golden.lights.twinkle2329
Жыл бұрын
Also they were not very fuel efficient.
@golden.lights.twinkle2329
Жыл бұрын
@@Gapsx1eGewehr The same way they don't see the downside to millions of illegal immigrants today.
@Seafire-gy2hs
2 жыл бұрын
My great uncle came back from WWI on that ship. My grandmother had a SS Leviathan post card from him that mentioned it.
@hildyhackfleisch6262
2 жыл бұрын
The Leviathan was my grandfather's favorite ship... because it was cheaper! My mother used to joke that her in-laws were so cheap they'd serve two bottles of beer to three people.
@CJODell12
2 ай бұрын
Leviathan's success with the United States Lines was hindered by Prohibition forcing her to run as a "dry ship". The Immigration Act of 1924 also did not help matters. Despite these adversities, Leviathan still managed to gain an impressive following. In 1926 for example, Leviathan had an average of 1,300 passengers per voyage, making her the second most popular liner on the transatlantic route that year. And in 1927, Leviathan was the most popular ship on the transatlantic route, carrying 40,537 passengers over 28 crossings, averaging 1,448 per crossing. The Great Depression became the final nail in the coffin. At one point, Leviathan was losing over $75,000 for every round trip. It's a damn shame too, because Leviathan was a really beautiful ship, and she had a loyal passenger following despite all the adversity.
@jonathancoetzer6937
2 жыл бұрын
Excellent thank you. I think you meant October 8th 1919 decommissioning, the war only ended in November 1918
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