RMS Lusitania by fog. On her second voyage in better weather, "Lusitania" arrived at Sandy Hook on 11 October 1907 in the Blue Riband record time of 4 days, 19 hours and 53 minutes. She had to wait for the tide to enter harbour where news had preceded her and she was met by a fleet of small craft, whistles blaring. "Lusitania" averaged westbound and eastbound. In December 1907, "Mauretania" entered service and took the record for the fastest eastbound crossing. "Lusitania" made her fastest westbound crossing in 1909 after her propellers were changed, averaging . She briefly recovered the record in
Transatlantic crossing in July 1952: the ship made the crossing in 3 days, 10 hours, 40 minutes. "Guinness Book of World Records" has awarded world records to various classes such as luxury liners, sail boats, and rowing boats. Because of the shape of the continents and the assistance (or resistance) of ocean currents, the Eastbound crossing is quicker than the Westbound crossing. During World War II the transatlantic crossing was very important for the United Kingdom as much of Europe had been taken over by Germany and its allies preventing trade and supplies; the struggle is known as the Battle of the