The Maritime Commissary


Welcome to The Maritime Commissary's Blue Star Line  supplementary information page. Please feel free to send questions or comments to:  rrcomm@sonic.net    Relevant information, and credits, will be posted.

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The Blue Star Line's purpose was mainly to import refridgerated meat and other perishables to England – primarily from South America, but also the far east. Service began in 1909.

Passenger service was offered, which was quite palatable, as these were fast ships on tight schedules, but it was always incidental to their perishable freight mission. It was Britains seeking to escape winter for some time in Buenos Aires, or maybe the far east, who made up the bulk of their patronage. Passenger service was discontinued in 1972.

World War II took a huge toll on the fleet, ending with 29 Blue Star Line ships on the bottom of the ocean. The company rebuilt and survived until sold to P&O Nedlloyd in 1998.