R.M.S. Aquitania

When the Cunard Line put the Lusitania and Mauretania into service on the North Atlantic in 1907, they were certainly ahead of both the White Star and Hamburg-Amerika Lines. But both of their primary competitors moved quickly to match Cunard. In the meantime, Cunard needed a third liner in order to complete a well-balanced three-ship weekly service. They decided to order a liner that would be about 50% larger than their speedsters, although the new ship would not be as swift. She would instead focus on offering some of the most comfortable accommodations that had ever graced the North Atlantic. They decided to place the order with the same shipbuilding company which had built their Lusitania, John Brown, Ltd. on the River Clyde in Scotland. The resulting liner, last of the great four-stackers, was one of the finest ships ever built, and one of the longest-lived of them all. She was the Aquitania.

Aquitania Gallery:

The stately Aquitania seen in port profile. This view shows off her clean lines and long bow. She was a unique and beautiful creation, the ultimate expression of the form of the Lusitania and Mauretania, and would become one of the most successful Atlantic liners in history. ~ Author’s Collection.

The launch of the Aquitania at John Brown’s Shipyards on the River Clyde. ~ Sketch ©2004/2005 by Chris Mazzella. Not for re-use without permission.

The Aquitania departing Southampton. ~ Sketch ©2004/2005 by Chris Mazzella. Not for re-use without permission.

A beautiful starboard portrait of the Aquitania. ~ Author’s Collection.

An artist’s conception of the Aquitania departing New York. ~ Author’s Collection.

The Aquitania’s First Class accommodations were unparalleled. This picture postcard shows her First Class Grill Room. ~ Author’s Collection.

A ca. 1920’s view showing the Aquitania (center) docked in Southampton, with the Mauretania at her bow (right) and the Olympic just visible (left), on the opposite side of Ocean Dock. ~ Author’s Collection

A late 20’s to early 30’s view of the Aquitania, probably near port. ~ Author’s Collection

A beautiful stern-angle 3/4 view of the Aquitania while in port. ~ Author’s Collection

In 1944, the Aquitania was serving on the Atlantic as a troop transport, ever the venerable and reliable liner that she was. Please click this hyperlink to read a first-hand account of a troops’ passage to Europe aboard the Aquitania in June of that year.

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If the Aquitania is your interest, than you will want to make sure that you pick up a copy of Mark Chirnside’s newest book, “R.M.S. Aquitania: The Ship Beautiful.” It is now available from The History Press, and is available for order from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. The author also, at times, puts copies up on eBay directly. Please see Mr. Chirnside’s site for further details.