This week, we're taking a trip on the speed demon that was the fastest liner afloat for twenty years, and my personal favorite ship.
The RMS Mauretania was launched on September 20, 1906 at Swan Hunter ship yard on the Tyne River. She was, at that time, the largest and fastest ship afloat, one of Cunard's greyhounds alongside her sister Lusitania. She was constructed to reclaim shipbuilding prowess for Brittan and give the admiralty auxiliary merchant cruisers in times of war. Maury, as she was affectionately known, utilized the innovative Parsons steam turbine, but she sustained less vibration issues than her sister.
Maury's interiors were a maze of dark, rich woods, and golden adornments. Some highlights are the Francois I octagonal dining room, Grey and gold library, and wrought iron entrance. She was a cozy ship compared to the light interiors of her sister.
Although a storm prevented her from taking the fastest liner title on her maiden voyage, she quickly stole it from Lusitania on her return voyage. She was infamous for dropping randomly in calm seas, even soaking her then Captain of Titanic fame, Arthur Rostron. She encountered a rogue wave in 1908, exposing her propellors an damaging them significantly. She even hosted King George V and Queen Mary in 1913 (the Namesake of Cunard's QM in California).
During WWI, Maury was requisitioned and used as both a hospital and troop ship. She was briefly considered to replace Lusitania on Cunard's route, but ultimately carried American troops to the trenches, and served in the Gallipoli Campaign alongside her sister Aquitania and the RMS Britannic. She got a special dazzle paint scheme to help with U boats, and carried over 35,000 troops.
The great depression made Cunard send her cruising in 1930. She was painted all white, and served until 1935, when she was sent for scrapping when Cunard and White Star Line Merged. The public was against this, and even President Franklin Roosevelt petitioned for her to be saved. Some of her furnishing survive, including in a coffee shop and board room. Maury's legacy leaves 20 years as the fastest liner and one that revolutionized ocean travel.
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