HISTORY OF SHIP DESIGN
As an island nation the design of ships and the role they play has been enormously important to the British Isles. As far back as ancient times the British people had relied on ships to trade with, to earn a living from the seas with and to defend their shores. All island nations depend on ships in this way.
However, what is unusual about the history of ships in Britain is just how important they became. From around the Middle Ages, successive kings and queens strove to ensure that Britain was not just one island nation among several but that she was the world’s biggest and most powerful maritime nation. Many were prepared to go to any lengths to achieve and protect this position, such as tacitly sanctioning piracy and looting, passing unfair laws and even getting involved in long wars with rival countries. Britain held a position in the world, thanks to her command of the seas, which was completely disproportionate to her size and population. To maintain that position of power, Britain needed the biggest and the best ships.
And by the beginning of the 20th century Britain really did rule the waves. She had the largest merchant fleet and the most powerful Navy. Private shipbuilding companies and royal dockyards had reputations that were recognised the world over and order books that were overflowing.
This was the context into which the Titanic was launched and this was the history and background that she was expected to encompass - and surpass.