Passenger Liners

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Luxury and Performance

The 1930s were years of substantial activity for New York Ship.  Building the Manhattan and the Washington for the world’s premier passenger ship service was a noteworthy accomplishment.  With geared turbine propelling machinery of the yard’s design, these twin liners carried the American flag on the North Atlantic in competition with the largest and fastest ships of the world.  They brought such luxury and performance to cabin class liner service that the leading foreign lines were forced to abandon the designation first class to bring their fare categories to a level with those of the Manhattan and Washington for competitive purposes.  Their introduction marked a new era in Atlantic travel.  As the transports Wakefield and Mt. Vernon, these vessels, like their predecessors, rendered yeoman service.