A man from Nova Scotia (Canada), Samuel Cunard, founded one of the best-known British shipping lines. In 1840 he was successful in obtaining a contract to carry mail across the Atlantic using steamships, then in their infancy. Glasgow shipowners and shipbuilders were involved in financing and constructing Cunard`s first four ships, although they operated out of Liverpool.

Over the years, Cunard faced tough competition from US, other British and European lines keen to take some of the lucrative North Atlantic business. Often with the help of Government mail contracts or other forms of subsidy, they succeeded by building bigger and faster ships. A number of Cunarders established speed records, the `Blue Riband` for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic. These included the Umbria of 1882 and the four-funnelled Mauretania of 1907. The Cunarders were fast and comfortable (although the comfort did not always extend to the emigrants in steerage), but rarely luxurious. When it came to the ultimate in luxury, others overshadowed Cunard, notably the White Star Line of Titanic fame.

Cunard presentation ceremony

As well as carrying passengers, Cunard built up a network of cargo services, notably from UK to USA and Canada, and to the Mediterranean. Like other successful companies, to extend their services they also bought other established lines. In 1916, a company that served Australia was acquired, which became well known as Port Line. Just after the First World War Cunard bought Brocklebanks who had long run services from Liverpool to Calcutta.