In 1839, Samuel Cunard sailed from Canada for Britain to set up his own steamship company. By 1841, the first Cunard ocean liners were in service, and the company went on to become the most famous transatlantic shipping company in the world. Their famous liners included the Blue Riband holders Lusitania, Mauretania, Campania, and Queen Mary as well as the largest ocean liner afloat, the new Queen Mary 2, which came in service in 2004. The story of Cunard is one of superlativesfrom the fastest ships to the largest rooms afloat to the greatest number of people ever carried on one vessel at one timeand the company has survived for 165 years."