The History of the Cunard Line from 1938
RMS Mauretania (1938)
The Mauretania (No 2) was built at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, England, under yard number 1029. Her hull was laid on 24 May 1937 and was launched on 28 July 1938 by Lady Bates (Sir Percy Bates’ wife). She was 772 feet long with a beam of 89 feet and had a gross tonnage of 35,738. She could carry 1,378 passengers: 486 Cabin Class, 390 Tourist Class and 503 Third Class.
RMS Mauretania (1939)
RMS Mauretania Smoking Room
She commenced her maiden voyage on 17 June 1940.
RMS Mauretania Cabin Class Dining Saloon
In August 1940, after completing four round voyages, the Mauretania was requisitioned as a troop ship. During the early stages of the war she transported Australian troops to Suez, India and Singapore but later she mainly served in the North Atlantic.
On 2 September 1946, the Mauretania returned to the ownership of Cunard and went into Gladstone Dock to be reconditioned by Cammell Laird & Co. New York, departing
On 26 April 1947, the Mauretania left for New York from Liverpool on her first commercial voyage since the Second World War. After a couple of trips, she was transferred to the Southampton to New York route and serviced it for over 10 years.
RMS Mauretania2 First Class Cabin
On 15 September 1965, the Mauretania left New York on her final Mediterranean cruise. She arrived at Southampton on 10 October 1965 and went on to Thos. W. Ward, Fife, to be broken up.
RMS Mauretania Main Lounge