Photographic References
A curated selection of photographs used for historical reference, comparative study, and visual context. Images are presented as documentation—not decoration.
Select any image to view it larger. Captions preserve the source-facing wording where useful, while notes identify the broad format and approximate period.
Featured photographic collection: Inside the U.S.S. Leviathan — 25 historical photographs, documenting passenger spaces, dining, recreation, and the unresolved history of the original printed captions.
The transatlantic liner Aquitania arrived in New York City on November 12, approximately 28 hours late because of heavy seas encountered on the westward crossing. This photograph, taken from the liner's deck, shows one of the huge waves as it rolled toward the ship.
Press photo, c.1931
New York — View of the S.S. Britannic, largest cabin motor vessel in the world, as it will leave Liverpool on June 28 to make its maiden voyage to Boston. It has a tonnage of 27,000 and can accommodate 1,500 passengers.
Press photo, c.1930
New York — With fitting dignity, the handsome new S.S. Britannic of White Star Line draws proudly up to the New World to complete her first ocean crossing under the guidance of Capt. F. F. Summers. The new twin-screw, 27,000-ton liner is Britain's largest motor vessel and the world's largest cabin liner. She was built in Belfast.
Press photo, c.1930
The motor ship Britannic, the largest vessel of its type built in England and the world's largest cabin liner, photographed when it appeared in New York Harbor, July 7, on its maiden trip from Europe. It has 27,000 tons displacement, is 680 feet long, and has a beam of 82 feet. She has accommodations for 1,500 passengers, divided equally between cabin, tourist, and third class.
Press photo, c.1930
Aerial view of the Statue of Liberty with an unknown ocean liner in the background.
Press photo, c.1920–1930
New York — That might have been the expression of the passengers on the SS Leviathan, giant transatlantic steamer, as it plowed through one of the roughest and biggest sea storms ever encountered on its trip here. The Leviathan arrived today.
Press photo, c.1926
An artist's rendition of the new RMS Mauretania.
Press photo, c.1937
New York — Here is a picture made aboard the S.S. Berengaria as the ship plowed through heavy seas. The Berengaria arrived in New York more than two days late due to storms.
Press photo, c.1926
MV Britannic 1st Class Entrance from an early pre-maiden-voyage brochure booklet.
Illustration, c.1930
MV Britannic 1st Class Drawing Room from an early pre-maiden-voyage brochure booklet.
Illustration, c.1930
MV Britannic 1st Class Long Gallery from an early pre-maiden-voyage brochure booklet.
Illustration, c.1930
MV Britannic 1st Class Dining Room from an early pre-maiden-voyage brochure booklet.
Illustration, c.1930
Postcard showing Harland and Wolff's great gantry, where both the Olympic and Titanic are under construction.
Postcard, c.1910s
Postcard of Boxer, the ship's cat, aboard the White Star Line ship SS Canopic.
Postcard, c.1905
SS United States at sea.
Photo, c.1955
Bow of the SS Leviathan.
Photo, c.1920s
SS Leviathan, looking forward towards her bow.
Press photo, c.1920s
Washington, D.C. — Here is a drawing of a new liner, sister ship of the Manhattan and Washington of the United States Lines, which will cost $15,750,000. It will be constructed as a successor to the liner Leviathan, soon to be scrapped. The new ship will be the largest ever built in an American shipyard and will give the American merchant marine the finest and safest ship afloat. It will be slightly larger than the Washington and the Manhattan, with a length of 723 feet and a breadth of 92 feet. It will have a depth to promenade deck of 75 feet and a load-draft displacement of about 34,000 tons. Its speed will be about twenty-two knots an hour; and there will be accommodations for about 1,200 passengers and a crew of about 630.
Photo, c.1937
Le Havre, France — The S.S. Tuscania arriving here from New York in a rough sea following a battle with fierce equinoctial gales which swept the east Atlantic. Several French harbors reported that the largest liners were having difficulty in making their way into port.
Photo, c.1930
London — Above is pictured the giant S.S. Majestic being raised on the floating dry dock by means of powerful pumps. The ship is at Southampton being repaired. The raising of the ship took six hours to complete and was done under the direction of Commander Harvey.
Press photo, c.1925
Air view of the SS Majestic — White Star Line — world's largest ship.
Press photo, c.1920s
More than six miles of New York City's waterfront are covered in this picture, taken with a new type of camera devised by Luis Azarraga, a Philippine-born commercial photographer. The picture was taken from a helicopter hovering over the Hudson River. It shows the SS United States and takes in the Manhattan skyline from 138th Street to 12th Street.
Press photo, c.1953
The RMS Berengaria sails past New York City.
Press photo, c.1930s
Bell on the SS Leviathan likely from World War I, with a soldier partially visible near the structure of the ship.
Photo, c.1910s
Press Photo, c.1931
Press Photo, c.1932
Press Photo, c.1929
Press Photo, c.1961
SS United States illustration.
Illustration, c.1950s
SS Imperator and USS Leviathan
Photo, c.1919
SS Leviathan in the distance.
Photo, c.1930s
Press Photo, c.1937
