TS 'Mauretania', 1906

Model (scale 1:64). This famous quadruple-screw steamer was built by Swan Hunter and launched in 1906 for the service between Liverpool and New York of the Cunard Steamship Company Ltd. She held the Blue Riband for the fastest transatlantic voyage for 22 years. A sister ship, the 'Lusitania', was built at the same time. Accomodation was provided for 560 first class, 475 second class, 1300 third class passengers and 812 crew. During World War I the ‘Mauretania’ served as a troop transport and as a hospital ship. The ‘Lusitania’, still operating as a passenger vessel, was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of Ireland by a German submarine in 1915, with the loss of 1195 lives.