RMS Persia regains the Blue Riband for the Cunard Line

Background. The Blue Riband is an unofficial accolade for the fastest average speed on regular transatlantic crossings. The term itself emerged in the 1890s, though the competition is historically traced to 1838. In the mid-1850s, the Collins Line had held the record with subsidized wooden paddlers. However, the outbreak of war suspended most British North Atlantic routes, leaving only Cunard's Liverpool–Halifax–Boston service active, setting the stage for Persia's record-breaking voyage.

The Voyage. RMS Persia, launched in July 1855, was an iron-hulled paddle steamer. Although her trials reached 17 knots, her normal service speed was limited to 13 knots due to high fuel consumption. On her maiden voyage in 1856, she struck an iceberg but survived due to her construction. Her westbound crossing from Liverpool to New York took 9 days and 16 hours, averaging 13.11 knots, which was sufficient to regain the Blue Riband for Cunard.

Competitive Context. The Collins Line had previously won the Blue Riband with subsidized ships. However, the war suspended other British routes, isolating Cunard's service. Persia's victory inflicted a further blow to the Collins Line. While Collins' fortunes initially improved due to lack of competition, the company eventually collapsed in 1858 after its US mail subsidy was reduced, highlighting the fragility of the competitive landscape that Persia's speed helped to destabilize.