What it is
Ocean Liner Curator is a long-term reference project dedicated to the evidence-first study of historic ocean liners, passenger steamships, and maritime material culture. It is written to support learning, careful collecting, and research—without drifting into myth, hype, or unsupported certainty. It is focused on historical interpretation, not current events.
Ocean Liner GPT is a guided research assistant used within this project under defined editorial constraints. For details, see Ocean Liner GPT & AI Methodology.
Transparency
This section explains how Ocean Liner Curator is researched, written, and maintained.
Editorial philosophy
All content is guided by three principles:
- Evidence over repetition. Popular claims are evaluated against primary or reputable secondary sources rather than repeated uncritically.
- Clarity without sensationalism. Maritime history is complex; this project prioritizes accuracy and context over dramatic simplification.
- Revision is a feature, not a flaw. Historical understanding evolves. Corrections and updates are welcomed and incorporated.
Sources & verification
Content is developed using a combination of:
- Primary sources (contemporary newspapers, shipyard records, company publications, photographs, ephemera)
- Established secondary sources (academic works, recognized maritime historians, museum publications)
- Cross-referencing between multiple independent sources where possible
When definitive evidence is unavailable or disputed, uncertainty is stated explicitly. References are listed in the Sources & Standards section.
Use of digital tools
Digital tools may assist with research organization and drafting, but they are not treated as authorities. No material is published without human review and source-checking.
- Claims are checked against cited sources
- Interpretation remains human-led
- Uncertainty is stated plainly
The full policy regarding the use of AI can be found at AI Interpretation Policy.
Human oversight
Ocean Liner Curator is maintained by a human editor. Published material is reviewed for internal consistency, alignment with available evidence, and reference-work tone. Errors, when identified, are corrected.
Ocean Liner GPT does not publish content independently; all public-facing text is reviewed, edited, and approved by a human curator, and responsibility for accuracy rests entirely with the project, not the tool.
Corrections & feedback
Source-backed corrections and contextual additions are welcome. If a page contains an error or would benefit from additional context, please reach out via the contact page with supporting information where possible.
What this project is — and is not
This project is:
- A curated reference
- Evidence-first
- Transparent about methodology
- Continuously refined
This project is not:
- An automated content generator
- A substitute for archival research
- A platform for speculation presented as fact
Ocean Liner GPT — how it is used
Ocean Liner GPT is a specialized research assistant used within the Ocean Liner Curator project. It is configured with subject boundaries and editorial constraints aligned with this site’s evidence-first standards. For a more detailed look, head to Ocean Liner GPT & AI Methodology.
Outputs are treated as working material. Nothing is published without human review, editing, and verification against sources.
Ocean Liner GPT modes
Learn — historical context and narrative. Ideal for exploration and curiosity.
Collect — practical collecting guidance: authenticity, value signals, and pitfalls.
Curate — conservative, museum-level evaluation: provenance, documentation, and restrained conclusions.
Methodology & reference
For readers interested in the interpretive framework used by Ocean Liner Curator, a public reference handbook is available.
The Definitive Guide to Research Standards outlines source evaluation, authenticity assessment, attribution practice, and ethical communication of uncertainty.
How to cite this site
When referencing Ocean Liner Curator, cite the page title, URL, and date accessed. Where possible, consult and cite the original primary or secondary sources listed on each page. Because content may be revised as new evidence emerges, citations should reflect the version consulted.
