Fights for the Blue Riband 151 



put in the best work possible, the owners 

 and builders having always worked upon 

 a system which is of mutual benefit. 



The White Star people say to Harland 

 and Wolff, " we want a ship with the follow- 

 ing speed, tonnage, and accommodation, 

 for such and such a service." Plans are 

 then prepared and if approved, the vessel 

 or vessels are laid down and delivered in 

 due course. A careful inventory is kept 

 of the cost, and to the total sum expended 

 is added an agreed percentage for profit 

 on the work, and thus the shipowner gets 

 a vessel in which everything is of the best, 

 whilst the shipbuilder, knowing that he 

 cannot lose by producing everything of 

 the best, is able to give it. 



There was indeed very little to choose 

 between these four ships which were so 

 similar in tonnage and speed, and it is 

 extremely difficult to say to which of 

 the quartet should be given the title 

 of Blue Riband holder. An analysis 

 of their runs rather suggests that of the 



