Builder's model of RMS Mauretania 1907

Mauretania was the fastest ship across the Atlantic for more than 20 years, travelling at speeds of up to 27 knots.The Tyne shipyard of Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson built the liner Mauretania for Cunard and this model was made as a marketing tool for the shipyard. Mauretania was the fastest ship across the Atlantic for more than 20 years, becoming the best possible advert for her builders and the Parsons turbines that drove her at speeds of up to 27 knots. She carried many thousands of emigrants from Europe to the United States as well as enabling the wealthy to cross the Atlantic in luxury. She survived the First World War, seeing service both as a troop ship and a hospital ship. In 1931 Mauretania undertook popular weekend 'booze' cruises from New York to the Bahamas to allow Americans to escape prohibition. Mauretania was broken up in 1935 but is still remembered affectionately across the world.

Mauretania was the fastest ship across the Atlantic for more than 20 years, travelling at speeds of up to 27 knots.