Bruce Ismay to his London residence, Downshire House, for a dinner party, the purpose of which is to discuss the construction of two massive new ocean-liners for the White Star Line. Bruce Ismay becomes president of Morgan’s I.M.M., and is allowed complete control, such is Morgan’s respect for Ismay. His shipping trust, the International Mercantile Marine (I.M.M.), now effectively runs the company. The White Star Line is taken-over by American financier J. Thomas Henry Ismay dies, leaving the way clear for his son Joseph Bruce Ismay to take over the running of the White Star Line. The book bears many spookily-similar aspects to the sinking of the Titanic.

Morgan Robertson publishes Futility, a novel about an ocean liner, the Titan, which sinks on the North Atlantic on her maiden voyage after a collision with an iceberg. Pirrie is made chairman of Harland and Wolff. Joseph Bruce Ismay, son of Thomas Henry, joins the White Star Line as a partner.

It’s the beginning of a long and fruitful period between the owners and the builders. The formation of this company is the beginning of Ismay’s dream of providing a top quality service to the United States and Canada.īelfast shipbuilders Harland and Wolff begin construction of Oceanic, the first of many fine ships for the fledgling White Star Line. Thomas Henry Ismay creates the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company, the house flag of which is the familiar burgee of the White Star Line, a red background with a five-pointed white star in the centre. Thomas Henry Ismay purchases the struggling White Star Line, which operated traditional sailing vessels centred mainly on the diminishing Australian gold rush trade.

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