New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-05-08
Launched in 1906.

second or third class. @
Launched i'm 1906.
The launching of the Lusitania on
June Z, 1906, at Clyde Bank, was
attended with elaborate ceremonials.
AS she left the ways she was christen-
ed by the Dowager$ Lady Inverclyde.
On her trial trip on June q she at
tanned a speed of 25 knots.
The vessel left on her maiden trip
on Sept. 7, 1907. This voyage was
heralded as race for the worlds
record, and the wireless dispatches
marking her progress were followed
with keenest interest. No exact com
parison was possible on account Of
the difference in the routes, but the
Lusitainia's claim to the fastest run
from Queenstown, five days, 81 min
utes, was undisputed. The career Of
the Lusitania was comparatively un-
eventful up to the time of the war.
Owing to an accident to her machin-
cry she was laid up six months in
1913. One of her most eventful voy-
ages was completed on her arrival in
New York, Sept. 16, 1911, having
crossed the Atlantic three times in
less than three weeks. In January
crew of the little Canadian brigar,-
tine Mayf1ower, which was drifting,
wrecked and helpless about 1000
miles from the Canadian shore.
Only Vessel Not Requisitioned.
After the outbreak Of the war most
of the largest and fastest vessels of
the British transatlantic fleet were
requisitioned by the navy. The Lus-
itania, in fact was the only vessel
of this type to continue in regular
service. Inasmuch as she was the
greatest prize which could fall to
German warships. or submarines her
voyages were followed with particular
concern. British shipping men main
tanned, however, that she was in no
danger, especially after the Atlantic
had been cleared of German warships
They felt that her superior speed
would enable her to evade any sub
marine which might attempt to way
lay her. "
Three days after war was declared
the Lusitania left New York on one
of her regular trips to Liverpool. She
slipped out of the harbor shrouded
in darkness except for her port and
starpoard lights There were 212
passengers on board. uL4 J.
She completed her voyage in safety
without sighting any hostile craft.
Favorite With Wayfarers.
Although the Lusitania was sur
passed in size by several liners built
subsequently, including the Maure-
tania, Imperator, Olympic and Vader-
land, she never lost the reputation
acquired at the outset of her career.
Her speed and luxurious accomoda-
! tons made her favorite with At
lantic wayfarers. She had nine decks.
| connected with elevators. Her cabins
were designed to look more like a
| hotel than ship. There were open
fire places, windows shaped and cur
tanned as in a private house, elaborate
! suites, and sAries of tapestrfed recep-
ton rooms, smoking rooms and cafes
| The vessel was pronounced by her
| builders to be as nearly unsinka BILE
4 as any ship could be. The lower deck
was watertight. The double bottom
was SO constructed that should the
bilge keels be torn away and the hull
/ pierced the entering water would be
confined within the inner and outer
i bottoms. .y
IT'S Watertight Compartments.
! The lower portion of the hull was
i divided into 175 watertight compart-
nents. with communicating doors SO
constructed that they could be closed
automatically from tIaa navigating
! bridge in a few seconds.
Everything about the Lusitania was
/ Of colossal dimension. Her rudder
i weighed sixty-fiye tons. She carried
three anchors of ten tons each. The
main frames and beams, placed end
! to end, would extend thirty miles.
! Engines Distinct Departure.
Marine engineers were particularly
interested in the great engines by
| which the Lusitania was propelled,
which were regarded as a distinct de-
parture.t Instead of the usual type
of reciprocating engines, her builders
Installed turbines. These engines de-
veloped an indicated horse power
of 10000, driving four shafts each of
which carried three-bladed propel-
| 1er