RMS Mauretania, sister ship of the Lusitania, was an ocean liner built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson at Wallsend, Newcastle upon Tyne, and was launched on 20 January 1906. At the time, she was the largest and fastest ship in the world. Particularly notable for her steam turbine propulsion, which was a revolutionary development in ocean liner design.
She left Liverpool on her maiden voyage on 16 November 1907, and later that month captured the record for the fastest eastbound crossing of the Atlantic with an average speed of 23.69 knots (43.87 km/h). In September 1909, the Mauretania captured the Blue Riband for the fastest westbound crossing - a record that was to stand for more than 20 years. The Mauretania was the only ship with direct-drive steam turbines to hold the Blue Riband, later ships had reduction-geared turbines.
Cunard withdrew the Mauretania from service following a final eastward crossing from New York to Southampton in September 1934. The ship was laid up in, her furnishings were auctioned off and in July 1935 the Mauretania headed for the breaker's yard at Rosyth.
Specifications
- 31,938 gross tons
- 790 ft (240.8 m) overall length, 88 ft (26.8 m) beam.
- Engines: Steam turbines driving four screws, 68,000 shaft horsepower (51 MW), designed speed 25 knots (46 km/h).
- 2165 passengers (563 first class, 464 second class, 1138 third class), 802 crew.
