The White Ships, by Canadian author Duncan O'Brien, is the first comprehensive history of the six classic white liners operated by Matson Navigation Company between California, Hawaii, the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia from 1927 until 1978.
http://www.whiteships.com/
It just dawned on me but these ships were all "first class"--the Trans-At ships were at least two or three classes, with steerage or tourist class. The effect of this, before planes, was that ordinary people--and poor people--were excluded from the Islands, and from getting to the mainland. I've never heard this aspect discussed, but I wonder to what extent the all first class nature of the Matson steamers was intended to "segregate" by socio-economic class, and keep the "riff raff' at home?
hedablinka 1 year ago
What a wonderful video--although I don't know why it takes so much buffering to watch. I've been wanting to buy this book, but wow--such great videos!
hedablinka 1 year ago