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Rms Mauretania (1906)




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 September 20 1906 . At the time, she was the largest and fastest ship in the world. Particularly notable was 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). The main difference between the Mauretania and the Lusitainia was that the Mauretania was five feet longer and had different vents (Mauretania had cowl vents and the Lusitania had oil drum shaped vents). 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. Her record was broken by the German ocean liner, '' Bremen '', in 1929 . The ''Mauretania'' (along with her near-twin sister, ''Lusitania'') were the only ships 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, 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).

  • Maximum speed: 27 knots

  • 2165 passengers (563 first class, 464 second class, 1138 third class), 802 crew.



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