Timeline Article: Contract Signed for the Olympic Class Ships

On September 17, 1908, a contract is signed to start construction for the Olympic Class Liners that were envisioned the previous year. Bruce Ismay and other White Star members arrive in Belfast, Ireland to review Harland and Wolff's construction plans. Chairman of H&W, William Pirrie presents the drawings with the assistance of his nephew, the managing director and head of the drafting department, Thomas Andrews. 

Ultimately, they decide that they will build Olympic and Titanic side by side as identical twin sisters, then build Britannic later. This decision signals an economic boom for Belfast whose main industry is shipbuilding. This also gives a higher profile to Southampton, which is rapidly becoming the leading passenger port for England.

William Pirrie (left) Thomas Andrews (right)

Timeline Article: White Star Conceives a New Line of Ships

In the summer of 1907, the White Star Line plans to amaze the world with a new line of ships. Since the Cunard Line has positioned itself for speed, White Star will have to present the world with sheer spectacle.

One evening over dinner White Star's president J. Bruce Ismay and the president of the Harland and Wolff ship yard Lord William Pirrie, meet at Pirrie's home and conceived a new line of ships. Together they envisioned the largest moving objects ever made by man. Three liners that were to be 50% bigger and 100 feet longer than anything yet built. These three "Olympic Class" liners would be constructed to lure the wealthiest passengers with their magnificence, and be able to carry more immigrants to America than ever before.

These three liners will be called...  

"Olympic, Titanic, and Britannic"