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What Happened to RMS Mauretania 2?

Big Old Boats・17 minutes read

RMS Mauritania 2 sailed from New York in 1940, serving as a troop transport during World War II, covering extensive miles before undergoing refurbishment and later transitioning to affordable cruises until her final voyage in 1965. Despite not reaching the same iconic status as her predecessor Queen Mary, she was beloved for her comfort and elegance, marking the pinnacle of the ocean liner era.

Insights

  • RMS Mauritania 2 was a significant vessel during World War II, repurposed for troop transport duties, carrying thousands of troops and covering extensive distances, showcasing the crucial role of maritime transport in wartime operations.
  • The post-war period saw RMS Mauritania undergo substantial refurbishment, emphasizing the importance of adapting to changing passenger demands and technological advancements to remain competitive in the evolving cruise industry landscape, highlighting the continuous evolution and adaptation required in the maritime sector.

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Recent questions

  • What was the purpose of RMS Mauritania 2?

    To serve as a troop transport during wartime.

  • How did RMS Mauritania 2 contribute to post-war efforts?

    By continuing troop transport duties and undergoing refurbishment.

  • What led to the decline of passenger numbers on RMS Mauritania 2?

    Increased competition and financial losses in the early 1960s.

  • What marked the end of RMS Mauritania 2's career?

    A final 56-day Mediterranean cruise in 1965.

  • What were the key features of RMS Mauritania 2?

    Luxurious interiors, oil-fired boilers, and troop transport capabilities.

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Summary

00:00

RMS Mauritania 2: Luxury Liner's Secret Missions

  • On March 20th, 1940, RMS Mauritania 2 quietly departed New York City amidst thunderstorms, heading towards a secret destination with only a few observers noticing.
  • The Cunard White Star Line's liners, including Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, and RMS Mauritania, were strategically sheltered in New York Harbor during wartime in Europe, awaiting their wartime roles.
  • Plans for RMS Queen Elizabeth began in 1934, following the launch of RMS Queen Mary, aiming to have a running mate of similar luxury standards.
  • The new approximately 33,000-ton intermediate liner, named Mauritania, was constructed by Cammell Laird and Company in Birkenhead, England, without government subsidies.
  • The second RMS Mauritania was launched in 1938, christened by Lady Bates, and designed with luxury and comfort akin to the larger Queens, featuring unique interiors by British artists.
  • RMS Mauritania, at 772 feet in length and 35,739 gross registered tons, was powered by six oil-fired boilers and two sets of turbines, achieving a service speed of 23 knots.
  • In June 1939, RMS Mauritania commenced her maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York under Captain A.T. Brown, shortly before the outbreak of World War II.
  • Following the war's outbreak, RMS Mauritania was requisitioned by the British Admiralty, painted in battleship gray, armed, and began troop transport duties from Sydney to Scotland.
  • In May 1940, RMS Mauritania joined troop transport convoys, including Convoy US-10, carrying thousands of troops and narrowly avoiding collision with another liner in the Indian Ocean in 1941.
  • Post-war, RMS Mauritania continued troop transport duties, carrying over 350,000 troops and covering 542,446 miles before being returned to Cunard in September 1946 for a much-needed refit.

17:06

RMS Mauritania: From Refurbishment to Retirement

  • RMS Mauritania underwent extensive refurbishment over seven months, costing one million pounds. 75 of her furnishings were imported from the United States and Australia, 300 cabins were rebuilt, and 100 tourist class cabins were removed to enhance crew quarters. Air conditioning was added, and classes were reorganized before she resumed passenger service on April 26, 1947, sailing from Liverpool to New York.
  • Despite initial popularity, Mauritania's passenger numbers declined in the early 1960s, leading to financial losses. She transitioned to offering affordable cruises to compete with the more exclusive Coronia. By 1965, it was decided that the 1965 season would be her last, culminating in a final 56-day Mediterranean cruise before being put up for sale and eventually scrapped in Fife.
  • Captain John Treasure Jones commanded Mauritania's final voyage in September 1965, marking the end of her career. Despite not achieving the iconic status of her predecessor, she was cherished for her comfort, power, and beauty, symbolizing the peak of the ocean liner era.
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