100 Year Anniversary of R.M.S Mauretania

[Mirrlees]

At 7:30 PM GMT November 16 marks the 100th anniversary of Cunard Line's R.M.S. Mauretania on her maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York.

This ship held the famed "Blue Ribband" fastest crossing of the Atlantic in 4 days @34 knots. This record was broken in 1952 by S.S. United States which still holds that title to this day.

[Retrovision]

Thanks for the heads-up about this significant anniversary, Mirrlees.

Here she is portrayed in a painting seen aboard the RMS Queen Mary at Long Beach, California...


www.worldliners.fotopic.net/p44116220.html

[Barnacle]

Actually, I think the SS United States lost the Blue Riband in 1991 or 1992 to the Hoverspeed Great Britain. As of 1998 it was held by Scandline's Cat-Link V.

[Northern Exploration]

You are correct Barnacle. I think the ship held it for quite a long time compared to most. I know she is laid up in Philadelphia. The trophy was a huge deal and added immensely to the prestige of the liner and company. Whole ships were designed to wrest the trophy from the competition.

[D'Elete BC in NJ]

pnwtraveler said:

I know she is laid up in Philadelphia.

One of these days I'll snap a photo of her on my way home from work. There have been plans by Norwegian Cruise Lines to return her to service. Amazingly, she already meets the requirements of SOLAS 2010. Some great photos of one the fastest passenger liners ever built and a little bit of history at:

www.planphilly.com/node/1559

[Mirrlees]

Thanks for that history lesson, BCinNJ It's kind of sad seeing the areas the way they were in their heyday and what they've been reduced to now.

Let's all hope to see SS United States sailing the high seas again in a few years.