From the time her keel was laid in December of 1908, Olympic would become one of the most recognisable names in maritime history.



Overshadowed by her sister RMS Titanic, Olympic would go on to have an eventful career spanning several decades eventually ending in 1935.

From the beginning, Olympic would be a big hit with the public and those who crossed the Atlantic on her, public viewings were authorised in both Liverpool and Southampton prior to the ship setting off on her maiden voyage on June 14th 1911.

Olympic's initial voyages would be largely uneventful with only a minor bump with a pier whilst entering New York for the first time. On September 20th 1911, Olympic would depart Southampton for her fifth Atlantic crossing but this would be cut short just outside of Southampton waters in the Solent. As passengers were getting comfortable, Olympic's bridge crew had noticed the Royal Navy cruiser HMS Hawke sailing uncomfortably close to the ships stern and later speeding up as if to overtake the liner, this would be a irreversible decision as the suction caused by Olympic's displacement would violently pull HMS Hawke's bow into the stern of the great liner. After initial inspection, both vessels would go on to survive but would require major repairs.

The collision with HMS Hawke would go on to alter the course of maritime history forever. Olympic's damage required a drydock to be repaired, this would delay the continuation of the SS Titanic's fitting out process, had this collision not occurred, how different would the fate of Titanic have been?



This model depicts Olympic in her first year in service up until 1912. A separate post will be made for each version of the liner built.