It began in 2007. What started as a singular passion project — a small collection of pages dedicated to the world's most famous ocean liners — has evolved over nearly two decades into the world's foremost digital alliance dedicated to maritime history. The network was founded in Belgrade by director and playwright Tadija Miletić, with a vision to create a unified global platform honoring the artistic and engineering marvels of the maritime past.
Over time, the network outgrew its humble beginnings, transforming into a vast, interconnected web of communities, archives, and partnerships spanning every continent. Today, the Historic Ships Network™ (HSN) gathers eminent experts in nautical science, maritime historians, archaeologists, museum professionals, and thousands of passionate enthusiasts — all united by the conviction that the golden age of ocean travel must never be forgotten.
Chronology and Evolution
The first major international expansion began in 2009 when Cristian Cararra from Italy joined, bringing with him a dedicated RMS Titanic community. Two years later, in 2011, the system received its first formal visual identity under the name Olympic Class System, focusing primarily on the vessels of the White Star Line.
A major turning point occurred in 2015 when institutional outreach began, connecting with leading maritime historians, museum curators, and university researchers worldwide. The pages started sharing rare academic findings, archival materials, and photographs, elevating the community into a serious scholarly resource. A complete reorganization and rebranding as the Historic Ships Network™ took place in 2021. The new identity transcended social media, establishing a formal international alliance. Representing the network across the Atlantic is Jordan Scalph (USA), responsible for connecting American institutions with the global community, while membership and daily operations are coordinated by Nikola Trišić.
Mission and Global Reach
Preserving and digitizing rare blueprints, photographs, and firsthand accounts form the core of our mission (Preservation). Additionally, HSN experts continuously conduct new research (Research), connect historians and enthusiasts worldwide (Community), and educate new generations through curated digital content and lectures (Education).
A record-breaking year for the Historic Ships Network was 2024. During landmark commemorations dedicated to the RMS Titanic and RMS Lusitania, the network's total combined reach surpassed an astonishing 13,000,000 people globally. This historical milestone solidified HSN's position as the single most impactful digital platform for maritime history in the world.