She was the largest and most luxurious ocean liner ever built, the epitome of modern technology.

But after her tragic maiden voyage, she would come to epitomize something more,

greed, short-sightedness, unthinking class distinctions, and above all, the hubris of a society

that is not so advanced as it thinks it is. Welcome to the history of the 20th century.

...the 20th century. Episode 64 Episode 64, A Night to Remember

Back in episode 41, when I talked about dreadnoughts and the naval race between Britain and Germany,

I mentioned in passing

the construction of the British passenger steamship Lucitania in 1906. That was the same year that

Dreadnought was launched. Lucitania and her sister ship, Moritania, were at the time they were

launched the fastest and most luxurious passenger ships afloat,

taking advantage of design innovations that had been pioneered by the Royal Navy for Dreadnought.

But there's more to this story. At this time, the transatlantic passenger trade was booming.

By the late 19th century, the wealthy elites of Europe and America were accustomed to being able to travel across the Atlantic in comfort aboard a steamship in less than 10 days.

As you are no doubt aware, there was also a great deal of emigration from Europe to North America

during this period, particularly to the United States.

These passengers tended to be of a much more modest means and traveled in steerage,

basically in converted cargo holds with minimal accommodations.

Privacy was non-existent, the food was terrible, if they fed you at all,

and the restroom was a bucket. But at least it was fast. Britannia rules the waves, of course,

and Britain has not only the largest navy, but the largest merchant fleet, and the best passenger liners.

In the 19th century, Britain dominated passenger service across the Atlantic.

By the beginning of the 20th century,

...