Liverpool Landing Stage, c.1927-1930

​A scene at Princes Landing Stage, Liverpool depicting two cabin liners on the Canadian service. In the foreground is the Albertic, which joined the White Star Line fleet in April 1927. She began life as the Norddeutscher Lloyd's München but she was transferred to the British Government under the Versailles reparation arrangements before beginning commercial service. Initially operating as the Ohio for the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, she was transferred to the White Star Line fleet after Lord Kylsant's acquisition of the company earlier that year.

The Albertic, suitably renamed in White Star style, initially served on the Liverpool service for less than a year. During this time, she was the largest steamer operating on the Canadian service. In March 1928, she joined the Megantic in inaugurating a fortnightly service between London, Le Havre, and New York, later extended to Canada. She returned to the Liverpool service from May 1930. This photograph might have been taken during either of her stints on this route.

Behind her sits one of the 'Mont' class steamships of the Canadian Pacific Line; Montclare, Montrose, or Montcalm. These three sisters had been a critical addition to the company's cabin class service from the early 1920s. Originally built as 'cabin' and 'third' class only ships, they were reconfigured to include tourist-third cabin in 1927. For passengers travelling between Europe and Canada, there was a range of choice in cabin liners across different shipping lines, offering steady and comfortable passage at moderate fares.