The Berry: Cunard Line's First Queen

Berengaria was the first Cunard vessel to be named for a queen (the wife of Richard the Lion-Heart). She was originally built for HAPAG as the Imperator. Named in honor of the Kaiser, this was a ship that aimed to impress every way.  In designing the first vessel to exceed 50,000 gross tons, the architects thought big in every dimension.  The mast had two crow’s nests, a powerful searchlight poised to scan in every direction over the bow, a 90-ton rudder, a two-deck high swimming pool, capacity for 4,594 passengers, and more than eighty-three lifeboats including two motor launches. 

Imperator at anchor, circa 1913. Note her huge figurehead, which was removed early in the ship's career after being damaged in a storm. This ship served as USS Imperator (ID # 4080) in 1919.  U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

The Imperator was the first of three successively larger near-sisters.  The Vaterland followed with 54,000 gross tons, and the Bismarck was expected to weigh in at an astonishing 56,000.    HAPAGs’ plans came to nothing. At the end of WWI, the ships were seized by the allies as reparations for their losses during the war.  

Berengaria in the Hudson.

The Vaterland, renamed Leviathan by the US Navy, became the flagship of the United States Lines.  Bismarck was completed for the White Star Line as the Majestic.  Imperator served briefly as a troopship before Cunard took ownership of the vessel.  In April 1921, she was officially renamed Berengaria and began sailing out of the new express service terminal at Southampton.

Berengaria passes Bishop Rock, the westernmost outpost of the British Isles.  Model lighthouse by Coastlines. 

Nicknamed “the Berry,” she settled into largely successful career and proved to be a popular ship, although she never achieved the cache of her fleet mates Mauretania and Aquitania.   She had power, size, and commodious spaces that attracted a wealthy clientele including the Prince of Wales, Will Rogers, Mary Pickford, Doglas Fairbanks, and Henry Ford.

Tugs assist Berengaria.  1:1250 model by Carlo Marquardt.  Tugs and quayside accessories by Tri-ang Minic.

When Cunard refurbished the liner, they had to contend with a serious stability problem.  Imperator was known as a “tender ship” with a tendency to roll and a permanent list.  Famed designer Charles Mewes lavished the first class staterooms and public areas with quite literally tons marble and gold.  

Postcard depicting Second Class Dining Saloon.

Early in her service the stability problems became a serious issue.  The weight of this material high above the waterline combined with the 69-foot high funnels rendered the vessel top heavy.  Initially HAPAG engineers replaced much of this heavy material, cut the funnels down to 60 feet, and filled in much of the double bottom with cement.  This helped tremendously, but the ship remained slightly unbalanced.  Skippers knew to handle her gingerly and the stability problems remained an issue throughout her career.

Berengaria entering the floating dry dock in Southampton in January 1937.  Recreation of an archival photo in Frank O. Braynard and Willaim Miller, Jr.  Picture History of the Cunard Line (Dover, 1991) page 33.  Floating dock model, tugs, and quayside models by Tri-ang Minic.

In the tough years of the Depression, Berengaria ferried passengers on cruises to Bermuda and on weekend excursions.  To attract passengers, the fares were incredibly low, sometimes as little as $1 per day.  As budget vacationers took to the sea, they called her “Bargain Area.” 

Booklet advertising accommodation updates to Tourist Class, circa 1936.

In March 1938, Berengaria caught fire at her berth in New York.  American authorities decided the vessel was a safety risk and the vessel made her last crossing later in the month.  With passenger revenues declining and smaller vessels laid up to make way for a single large ship (QueenElizabeth), Cunard decided to sell Berengaria.  She was sold to John Jarvis and like the Olympic three years earlier, departed for Jarrow, Scotland to be scrapped.  Demolition was slowed during the war and the final pieces were dismantled in 1946.

Built by Vulcan Werkes, Hamburg, Germany for HAPAG as Imperator (1913-1914).  Cunard Line as Berengaria (1921-1938).  52,226 GRT, 919 feet long, 98 feet wide.  Steam turbines geared to quadruple screw.  Service speed 23 knots.  2,723 total passengers (972 first class, 630 second class, 606 third class, 515 tourist class).