RMS Mauretania

## Royal Mail Ship Mauretania

### Installed Power

Direct-action Parsons steam turbines (two high pressure, two low pressure)68,000 shp (51,000 kW) nominal at launch, 76,000 shp (57,000 kW) on record run, later increased in 1928 to 90,000 shp (67,000 kW) July 1929

### Speed

25 kn (46 km/h; 29 mph) ‐ 28 kn (52 km/h; 32 mph) design service speed

### Capacity

2,165 passengers total:* 563 first class
* 464 second class
* 1,138 third class

### Crew

802

Royal Mail Ship Mauretania was one of three Lusitania Class oceanliners and the largest ship in the world from its launch in 1906 until 1910 when RMS Olympic of the White Star Line was launched. It was most known for the sheer length of time it held the Blue Riband (Fastest crossing of the Atlantic), as it kept it for over 20 years after getting it in 1909.

## Background

Cunard Lines had always had some of the largest and fastest ships in the world, alongside some of the harshest competitions against other shipping lines. In their early years it was the Collins Lines, but by the early 1900s their main competitors were White Star Line and Norddeutscher Lloyd Lines. Norddeutscher Lloyd challenged them with the ships SS Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse and SS Kaiser Wilhelm II, both of which won the Blue Riband and the record for the largest ship in the world. White Star Line challenged them with ships like RMS Baltic, Cedric and Celtic, but this was only in luxury, White Star Line never went for the speed record.

Cunard needed a class of ships that could revolutionise the industry and put the other lines out of the game for at least a few years. To do this, they'd need funding from the British Admiralty and the best architects they could get their hands on.

## Construction

Mauretania and her sister Lusitania were both designed by Leonard Peskett, Cunard's senior naval architect. They were arranged to be built by Swan Hunter & John Brown Shipbuilders in Northumberland, England.

Initial designs in 1902 detailed a three funnelled liner with a reciprocating engine, but Cunard started to investigate the turbine engine and its advantages. To receive the funding, Cunard held a meeting with the British Admiralty to discuss how they would go about getting the aid they needed, which was relatively easy. The Admiralty started to panic in the early 1900s due to the growth of the International Mercantile Marine Company, an American shipping company that was swallowing more and more British companies, this meant they were desperate to hang onto any remaining fully independent companies. Cunard would be given enough money to build two ships, with two conditions:

* Both ships would have to be built in a way that they could be converted to Armed Merchant Cruisers and used for both troop transportation and battles.
* Both ships would have to reach at least 24.5 knots in speed.

   An initial model for the class of ships Cunard was trying to build proved to be extremely unstable and unbalanced, so initial designs had to be almost scrapped completely. The first change was that an additional fourth funnel would be added to accommodate for the planned increase in boilers.

Mauretania was launched on the 20th September 1906 and christened by Anne Emily Innes-Ker, the Duchess of Roxburghe.

## Layout

### Bridge

* Wheelhouse
* Officer's Smoking Room
* 1st Officer's Cabin
* Chief Officer's Cabin
* Chart Room

### Boat Deck

* Captain's Cabin
* 1st Class En-Suite Cabins
* 1st Class Deck Space
* 1st Class Library and Writing Room
* 1st Class Grand Staircase/Grand Entrance
* 1st Class Lounge & Music Room
* 1st Class Smoking Room
* 1st Class Gentlemen's Lavatory
* 1st Class Verandah Café
* 2nd Class Deck Space
* 2nd Class Lounge
* Aft Wheelhouse

### Promenade Deck

* Windlass Room & Bow
* 1st Class Cabins
* 1st Class Steward's Accommodation
* 1st Class Regal Suites
* 1st Class Promenade
* 1st Class Grand Staircase/Grand Entrance
* 1st Class En Suite Cabins
* 1st Class Cabins
* 2 Engine Hatches
* 1st Class Men's Lavatory
* 1st Class Women's Lavatory
* 1st Class Barber's Shop
* 1st Class Shared Baths
* 2nd Class Promenade
* 2nd Class Drawing Room
* 2nd Class Entrance/Staircase
* 2nd Class Men's Smoking Room
* 2nd Class Men's Bar
* 2nd Class Men's Lavatory

### Shelter Deck

* Petty Officer's Mess
* 3rd Class Smoking Room
* 3rd Class Ladies' Room
* Pantry's
* 3rd Class and Crew's Galley
* Quartermaster's Accommodation
* 3rd Class Gentlemen's Lavatory
* 3rd Class Staircase
* Steward's Mess
* Steward's Lavatory
* Crew Staircases
* Linen Storeroom
* Crew Baths
* 2nd Class Steward's Accommodation
* Chief Steward's Cabin
* Children's Dining Saloon and Nursery
* Pantry
* 1st Class Grand Entrance/Staircase
* Telephone Exchange Room
* Doctor's Cabin and Office
* 1st Class Dining Saloon (Upper Level)
* Pantry and Scullery
* Bar
* Officer's Mess
* Officer's Lift
* Officer's Bath
* Engineer's Mess
* Engineer's Berths
* Chief Engineer's Cabin
* Chief Engineer's Office
* Engineer's Lavatory
* Engine Hatches
* Engineer's Stairs
* Engineer's Baths
* Thermotank
* 2nd Class Entrance/Staircase
* 2nd Class Cabins
* Baggage Hatches
* 2nd Class Gentlemen's Lavatory
* 2nd Class Women's Lavatory
* 2nd Class Shared Baths
* 2nd Class Stern Deck space

### Upper Deck

* Chef's Berths
* 3rd Class Gentlemen's Lavatory
* 3rd Class Women's Lavatory
* 3rd Class Dining Saloon and Stairs
* 3rd Class Baths
* 1st Class Cabin's
* 1st Class Baths
* 1st Class Gentlemen's Lavatory
* 1st Class Women's Lavatory
* 1st Class Grand Staircase
* 1st Class Cloak Room
* 1st Class Dining Saloon (Lower Level)
* Fruit Storage Room
* Silverware Room
* 1st Class Bar
* 1st Class Pantry & Scullery
* 1st & 2nd Class Galley
* Bakery
* Baker's Shop
* Chef's Store
* Firemen's Galley
* Lift
* Engine Hatches
* Gallery & Scullery
* Vegetable Storage Room
* Cold Larder
* Cook's Lavatory
* Drying Room
* 2nd Class Pantry
* Vestibule
* 2nd Class Dining Saloon
* 2nd Class Bar
* Mail Hatches
* 2nd Class Cabins
* Baggage
* 2nd Class Barber's Shop
* 2nd Class Gentlemen's Lavatory
* 2nd Class Women's Lavatory
* 2nd Class Baths

### Main Deck

* Seamen's Mess
* Seamen's Accommodation
* 3rd Class Shared Cabins
* Ash Shoot Rooms
* 3rd Class Entrances
* 1st Class Grand Staircase
* 1st Class Entrances
* 1st Class Gentlemen's Lavatory
* 1st Class Women's Lavatory
* 1st Class Cabins
* Firemen's Accommodation
* Firemen's Lavatory
* Firemen's Dining Room
* Refrigerating Room
* Engine Spaces
* Engine Stores
* 2nd Class Entrances
* 2nd Class Cabins
* Baggage

### Lower Deck

* Main Baggage Room
* Crew Berths
* Fan Room 1
* Boiler Room 1
* Fan Room 2
* Boiler Room 2
* Fan Room 3
* Boiler Room 3
* Coal Bunkers 1 - 4
* Fan Room 4
* Boiler Room 4
* Fruit & Vegetable Storage Room
* Mutton & Poultry Storage Room
* Ice Storage Room
* Beef Storage Room
* Bacon Storage Room
* Groceries Storage Room
* Beer Storage Room
* Spirits Storage Room
* Flour Storage Room
* Potatoes Storage Room
* Engine Space
* Trimmers Accommodation
* Mail Room
* Mail Sorting Room
* Steward's Accommodation
* Chef's Accommodation
* Leading Cook's Accommodation

### Orlop Deck

* Insulated Space 1 - 3
* Chain Locker
* Stokeholds 1 - 5
* Coal Bunkers 1 - 14
* Engine Space 1 - 3
* Condenser Room
* Auxiliary Machinery Rooms
* Parcel Room
* Engine Steering Gear

## Early Career

### Maiden Voyage

Mauretania departed Liverpool on the 16th November 1907