Big Four (White Star Line)

Class overview
Builders Harland and Wolff, Belfast
Operators White Star Line
Preceded byRMS Oceanic
Succeeded byAthenic class
Built1901–1906
In service1901–1934
Planned4
Completed4
Lost1
Retired3
General characteristics
TypeOcean liner
Tonnage20,904 GRT–24,541 GRT, 13,449 NRT-15,638 NRT
Length700 to 730 ft (210 to 220 m)
Beam75.3 ft (23.0 m)
Depth44 ft (13 m)
PropulsionSteam Quadruple expansion engines, powering two propellers, total 16,000 hp (12,000 kW)
Speed17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph)
Capacityc. 2,850 passengers

The "Big Four" were a quartet of early-20th-century 20,000-ton ocean liners built by the Harland & Wolff shipyard for the White Star Line, to be the largest and most luxurious ships afloat. The group consisted of Celtic, Cedric, Baltic and Adriatic.