View source for RMS Aquitania

{{Short description|British ocean liner (in service 1914–1950)}}
{{Infobox ship
|section1={{Infobox ship/image
 | image = SS Aquitania.jpg
 | image_caption = RMS ''Aquitania'' on her maiden voyage in [[New York Harbor]], 5 June 1914.
 }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career
 | hide_header = 
 | name = ''Aquitania''
 | namesake = [[Gallia Aquitania|Aquitania (Roman province in France)]]{{sfn|Chirnside|2008|p=8}}
 | owner = *1914–1934: [[Cunard Line]]<ref name="maritimequest">{{cite web|url=http://www.maritimequest.com/liners/aquitania_data.htm|title=MaritimeQuest – Aquitania (1914) Builder's Data|first=Michael|last=Pocock|website=www.maritimequest.com|access-date=6 April 2018}}</ref>
           *1934–1949: [[Cunard White Star Line]]
           *1949–1950: [[Cunard Line]]
 | country = [[United Kingdom]]
 | flag = {{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|government}}
 | operator = [[Cunard Line]]
 | registry = {{flagicon|United Kingdom|government}} [[Liverpool]], [[United Kingdom]]
 | route = [[Southampton]]-[[Cherbourg]]-[[New York City|New York]] (1919–1939) 
[[Southampton]]-[[Halifax, Nova Scotia|Halifax]] (1946–1949)
 | ordered = 8 December 1910<ref name="maritimequest" />
 | builder = [[John Brown & Company]], [[Clydebank]], [[Scotland]]<ref name="maritimequest" />
 | yard_number = 409<ref>{{cite web |url=http://clydeships.co.uk/view.php?official_number=&imo=&builder=&builder_eng=&year_built=&launch_after=&launch_before=&role=&propulsion=&category=&owner=&port=&flag=&disposal=&lost=&ref=3293&vessel=AQUITANIA |title=HMS ''Aquitania'' |work=Scottish Built Ships: the history of shipbuilding in Scotland |publisher=Caledonian Maritime Research Trust |access-date=27 July 2017}}</ref>
 | way_number = 
 | laid_down = December 1910
 | launched = 21 April 1913<ref name="maritimequest" />
 | completed = 1914
 | christened = 21 April 1913 by the [[Alice Stanley, Countess of Derby|Countess of Derby]]
 | acquired = 24 May 1914
 | maiden_voyage = 30 May–5 June 1914, from [[Liverpool]] to [[New York City|New York]]<ref name="maritimequest" />
 | in_service = 1914–1949 (35 years)
 | out_of_service = 21 February 1950
 | identification = *[[Wireless telegraphy|Wireless]] [[Maritime call sign|call sign]]: MSU (by 1915)
 | fate = [[Scrap]]ped in 1950–51 at [[Faslane]], [[Scotland]].<ref name="maritimequest" />
 }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics
 | hide_header = 
 | header_caption = 
 | type = [[Ocean liner]]
 | tonnage = {{GRT|45,647}}, {{NRT|21,993}}<ref name="TGOL" />
 | displacement = 49,430 tons
 | length = {{convert|901|ft|m|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="TGOL" />
 | beam = {{convert|97|ft|m|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="TGOL" />
 | height = {{convert|164|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} from bottom to top
 | draught = {{convert|36|ft|m|1|abbr=on}}<ref name="maritimequest" />
 | depth = {{convert|92.5|ft|m|1|abbr=on}}
 | decks = 10
 | power = *Direct drive Parsons steam turbines;<ref name="TGOL" />
           *{{convert|59000|shp|kW|abbr=on}}
 | propulsion = Four shafts<ref name="TGOL" />
 | speed = * {{convert|23|kn|lk=in}} (service speed in 1914)
           * {{convert|24|kn|lk=in}} (service speed from 1936 onwards)
           * {{convert|25|kn|lk=in}} (max speed)<ref name="TGOL" />
 | capacity = *'''1914''': 3,230<ref name="maritimequest" />
              * 618 1st class passengers
              * 614 2nd class passengers
              * 2,004 3rd class passengers
              *'''1926''': 2,200<ref name="maritimequest" />
              * 610 1st class passengers
              * 950 2nd class passengers
              * 640 3rd class passengers
 | crew = 972<ref name="maritimequest" />
 | notes = * '''''Aquitania'' was''':
           * The longest-serving express ocean liner of the 20th century.
           * The only major ocean liner to serve in both world wars.
           * The last four-funneled ship at the time of her scrapping.
           * Nicknamed “The Ship Beautiful”
 }}
}}

'''RMS ''Aquitania''''' was an [[ocean liner]] of the [[Cunard Line]] in service from 1914 to 1950. She was designed by [[Leonard Peskett]] and built by [[John Brown & Company]] in [[Clydebank]], [[Scotland]]. She was launched on 21 April 1913<ref name="archives">{{cite web|url= https://www.chriscunard.com/history-fleet/cunard-fleet/1900-1930/aquitania/ |publisher=chriscunard.com |title='Aquitania (1914 – 1950; 45,674 tons; Served in two World Wars)|year=2009|access-date=11 January 2009}}</ref> and sailed on her maiden voyage from [[Liverpool]] to [[New York City|New York]] on 30 May 1914. She was given the title of ''[[Royal Mail Ship]]'' (RMS) like many other Cunard ocean liners since she carried the [[royal mail]] on many of her voyages. ''Aquitania'' was the third in Cunard Line's ''grand trio'' of express liners, preceded by {{RMS|Mauretania|1906|6}} and {{RMS|Lusitania}}, and was the last surviving [[Four-funnel liner|four-funnelled ocean liner]].<ref>[http://www.allatsea.co.za/fourfunnel.htm The 4 funnel liners] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927173929/http://www.allatsea.co.za/fourfunnel.htm |date=27 September 2011 }}</ref> Shortly after ''Aquitania'' entered service, the [[First World War]] broke out, during which she was first converted into an auxiliary cruiser before being used as a troop transport and a hospital ship, notably as part of the [[Naval operations in the Dardanelles Campaign|Dardanelles Campaign]].

Returned to transatlantic passenger service in 1920, she operated alongside ''Mauretania'' and the [[SS Imperator|''Berengaria'']]. Considered during this period of time as one of the most attractive ships,  ''Aquitania'' earned the nickname  "the Ship Beautiful" from her passengers.<ref name="TGOL">{{cite web|url=http://thegreatoceanliners.com/articles/aquitania/|title=TGOL – Aquitania|website=thegreatoceanliners.com|date=May 2018 |access-date=12 June 2021}}</ref> She continued in service after the merger of Cunard Line with [[White Star Line]] in 1934. The company planned to retire her and replace her with {{RMS|Queen Elizabeth}} in 1940.

However, the outbreak of the Second World War allowed the ship to remain in service for ten more years. During the war and until 1947, she served as a troop transport. She was used in particular to take home Canadian soldiers from Europe. After the war, she transported migrants to Canada before the Board of Trade found her unfit for further commercial service. ''Aquitania'' was retired from service in 1949 and was sold for scrapping the following year. Having served as a passenger ship for 36 years, ''Aquitania'' ended her career as the longest-serving Cunard vessel, a record which stood for six years until overtaken by [[RMS Scythia|RMS ''Scythia'']]'s service record of 37 years. In 2004 ''Aquitania'''s service record was pushed into third place when ''[[Queen Elizabeth 2]]'' became the longest-serving [[Cunard]] vessel. She was nicknamed ''The Ship Beautiful'' for her interior and ''Cunard's Old Reliable'' for her war service.

== Conception ==
[[File:Olympic and Titanic Alt.jpg|left|thumb|White Star's {{RMS|Olympic|3=2}} and {{RMS|Titanic|3=2}}, {{RMS|Mauretania|1906|2}} and {{RMS|Lusitania|3=2}}'s rivals.]]
The origins of ''Aquitania'' lay in the rivalry between the [[White Star Line]] and [[Cunard Line]], Britain's two leading shipping companies. The White Star Line {{RMS|Olympic|3=2}}, {{RMS|Titanic|3=2}} and the upcoming {{HMHS|Britannic|3=2}} were larger than the latest Cunard ships, ''[[RMS Mauretania (1906)|Mauretania]]'' and ''[[RMS Lusitania|Lusitania]]'', by 15,000 gross register tons. The Cunard duo were significantly faster than the White Star ships, while White Star's ships were seen as more luxurious. Cunard needed another liner for its weekly transatlantic express service, and elected to copy the White Star Line's [[Olympic-class ocean liner|''Olympic''-class]] model with a slightly slower but larger and more luxurious ship.<ref name="TGOL" /><ref>{{harvnb|Le Goff|1998|p=37}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Le Goff|1998|p=33}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=R.M.S. Aquitania 1914 to 1950 |url=http://ssmaritime.com/Aquitania.htm |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=ssmaritime.com}}</ref> The plan for the building of that liner began in 1910, under the leadership of [[Leonard Peskett]]. Several draft plans were conceived in order to determine the main axes of what should be the ship for which an average speed of 24 knots was planned. In July of that year, the company launched the construction offers to several shipyards before choosing [[John Brown and Company]], the builder of the ''Lusitania''. The company chose ''Aquitania'' as the name for its new ship in continuity with those of its two previous duo. The three ships were named respectively after the Ancient Roman provinces [[Lusitania]], [[Mauretania]], and [[Gallia Aquitania|Aquitania]].

== Design, construction and launch ==
[[File:Aquitania before her launch.jpg|thumb|left|''Aquitania'' shortly before her launch.|215x215px]]
''Aquitania'' was designed by Cunard naval architect Leonard Peskett.<ref name="TGOL" /> She was a one of a kind liner as she did not have an identical sister ship of size and appointments as with ''Lusitania/Mauretania'' or ''Olympic/Titanic''. Peskett drew up plans for a larger and wider vessel than ''Lusitania'' and ''Mauretania'' (about {{convert|130|ft|m}} longer). With four large funnels the ship would resemble the famous speed duo, but Peskett also designed the superstructure with "glassed in" touches from the smaller {{RMS|Carmania|1905|2}}, a ship he also designed. Another design feature from ''Carmania'' was the addition of two tall forward deck ventilator cowlings. Although the ship's outward dimensions were greater than that of ''Olympic'', her displacement and tonnage were lower.<ref name=MC13>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=13}}</ref> With ''Aquitania''{{'}}s keel being laid at the end of 1910, the experienced Peskett took a voyage on ''Olympic'' in 1911 so as to experience the feel of a ship reaching nearly 50,000 tonnes as well as to copy pointers for his company's new vessel.<ref name=MC13/> Though ''Aquitania'' was built solely with Cunard funds, Peskett designed her according to strict [[British Admiralty]] specifications.<!--why?-->{{citation needed|date = May 2019}} ''Aquitania'' was built in the John Brown and Company yards in [[Clydebank]], Scotland, where the majority of the Cunard ships were built.<ref name="archives"/> The [[keel]] was laid in the same plot where ''Lusitania'' had been built, and would later be used to construct {{RMS|Queen Mary||2}}, {{RMS|Queen Elizabeth||2}}, and ''[[Queen Elizabeth 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chriscunard.com/qe2/qe2-history/ |title=About QE2 |access-date=2009-05-02 }} Queen Elizabeth 2 : About QE2 : General Information. Retrieved 2 May 2009</ref> Just like with ''Mauretania'', for the launch the hull was painted in a light grey colour for photographic purposes; a common practice of the day for the first ship in a new class, as it made the lines of the ship clearer in the black-and-white photographs. Her hull was repainted to black in dry dock.<ref>{{harvnb|Piouffre|2009|p=52}}.</ref>
[[File:Stern view of the 'Aquitania' (1914) on the stocks RMG G10695.jpg|thumb|''Aquitania'' on the stocks, 1913.|alt=|right|181x181px]]

In the wake of the [[Titanic sinking|''Titanic'' sinking]], ''Aquitania'' was one of the first new ships to carry enough lifeboats for all passengers and crew.<ref name="TGOL" /> Eighty lifeboats, including two motorised [[launch (boat)|launches]] with Marconi wireless equipment, were carried in both swan-neck and newer [[Axel Welin|Welin]] type davits.{{sfn|International Marine Engineering|(July 1914)|pp=281–282}} There was also a double hull and watertight compartments that were designed to allow the ship to float with five compartments flooded.<ref name=MC14>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=14}}</ref> As required by the British Admiralty, she was designed to be converted into an [[armed merchant cruiser]], and was reinforced to mount guns for service in that role. The ship displaced approximately 49,430 tons, of which the hull accounted for 29,150 tons, machinery 9,000 and bunkers 6,000 tons.{{sfn|International Marine Engineering|(July 1914)|p=277}}
[[File:RMS Aquitania’s launch.webp|thumb|Aquitania shortly after launch.]]
''Aquitania'' was [[Ship naming and launching|launched]] on 21 April 1913 after being christened by [[Alice Stanley, Countess of Derby|Alice Stanley]], the Countess of Derby, and fitted out over the next thirteen months. Notable installations were electrical wiring and decorations. The fitting out was led by [[Arthur Joseph Davis]] and his associate [[Charles Mewès]].<ref name=MC13/> On 10 May 1914, she was tested in her sea trials and steamed at one full [[Knot (unit)|knot]] over the expected speed. On 14 May, she reached [[Mersey]] and stayed at a port there for fifteen days, during which she underwent a final major cleaning and finishing in preparation for her maiden voyage.<ref name=MC19>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=19}}</ref>

== Technical aspects ==
[[File:RMS Aquitania - Technical drawing.jpg|Technical drawing of ''Aquitania'' in starboard profile.|center|thumb|976x976px]]
''Aquitania'' was the first Cunard liner to have a length in excess of {{convert|900|ft}}.<ref name=MC13/> Unlike some four-funneled ships, such as White Star Line's Olympic class ocean liners, ''Aquitania'' did not have a dummy funnel; each funnel was utilised in venting smoke from the ship's boilers.<ref>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|pp=58–59}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=40}}</ref>

Steam was provided by twenty-one forced-draft, double-ended [[Scotch marine boiler|Scotch boilers]], having eight furnaces each, that were {{convert|22|ft|m|1}} long with diameter of {{convert|17|ft|8|in|m|1}} arranged in four boiler rooms.{{sfn|International Marine Engineering|(July 1914)|p=282}} Each boiler room had seven ash expellers with pump capacity of approximately 4,500 tons per hour that could also be used as emergency bilge pumps.{{sfn|International Marine Engineering|(July 1914)|p=282}}

Steam drove [[Parsons turbine]]s in three separate engine rooms in a triple expansion system for four shafts.{{sfn|International Marine Engineering|(July 1914)|p=282}} The port engine room contained the high pressure ahead (240 tons, {{convert|40|ft|2|in|m|1}} long with four stage expansion) and astern turbine (120 tons, {{convert|22|ft|11|in|m|1}} long) for the port shaft, the centre room contained two low pressure turbines with ahead and astern capability within single casings ({{convert|54|ft|3|in|m|1}} long, nine expansion stages in ahead turbine, four in astern turbine) for the two centre shafts and the starboard room contained the intermediate pressure ahead turbine ({{convert|41|ft|6.5|in|m|1}} long) and a high pressure astern turbine (twin of the port high pressure turbine) for the starboard shaft.{{sfn|International Marine Engineering|(July 1914)|p=282}}<ref>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|pp=14–15}}</ref>

The electrical plant, located on G deck below the waterline, consisted of four 400&nbsp;kW British Westinghouse generator sets generating 225 volt direct current, with emergency power provided by a diesel driven 30&nbsp;kW generator up on the promenade deck.{{sfn|International Marine Engineering|(July 1914)|p=283}} Power was provided for about 10,000 lamps and about 180 electric motors.{{sfn|International Marine Engineering|(July 1914)|p=283}} She also had brass triple chambered three chime steam whistles on the 1st funnel and 2nd funnel.

== Interior and design ==
[[File:View of the First Class Dining Saloon on the RMS Aquitania.jpg|thumb|View of the First Class Dining Saloon.|alt=|left]]
In 1914, ''Aquitania'' had the capacity to carry 3,220 passengers (618 First Class, 614 Second Class, 2,004 Third Class). After a refit in 1926, the figure was reduced to 610 in first class, 950 in second class, and 640 in tourist class. Although the original specification mentioned a capacity of 972 crew members, the ship sometimes carried around 1,100.<ref name=MC8>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=8}}</ref>

Although ''Aquitania'' lacked the lean, yacht-like appearance of running mates ''Mauretania'' and ''Lusitania'', the greater length and wider beam allowed for grander and more spacious public rooms. Her public spaces were designed by the British architect Arthur Joseph Davis of the interior decorating firm Mewès and Davis. This firm had overseen the construction and decoration of the [[The Ritz London Hotel|Ritz Hotel]] in London and Davis himself had designed several banks in that city. His partner in the firm, Charles Mewès, had designed the interiors of the Paris Ritz, and had been commissioned by [[Albert Ballin]], head of Germany's [[Hamburg America Line]] (HAPAG), to decorate the interiors of the company's new liner ''[[USS America (ID-3006)|Amerika]]'' in 1905.<ref name=MC13/>
[[File:Grand Staircase of the RMS Aquitania.jpg|thumb|245x245px|The Grand Staircase of RMS ''Aquitania''.]]
In the years prior to the First World War, Mewès was charged with the decoration of HAPAG's trio of giant new ships, {{SS|Imperator|3=2}}, {{SS|Vaterland|1913|2}}, and {{SS|Bismarck|3=2}}, while Davis was awarded the contract for ''Aquitania''.<ref name=MC13/> In a curious arrangement between the rival Cunard and Hamburg-Amerika Lines, Mewès and Davis worked apart—in Germany and England respectively and exclusively—with neither partner being able to disclose details of his work to the other. Although this arrangement was almost certainly violated, ''Aquitania''{{'}}s first-class interiors were largely the work of Davis. The Louis XVI dining saloon owed much to Mewès' work on the HAPAG liners, but it is likely that having worked so closely together for many years the two designers' work had become almost interchangeable. Indeed, Davis must be given credit for the Carolean smoking room and the [[Palladian]] lounge; a faithful interpretation of the style of architect [[John Webb (architect)|John Webb]].<ref name=MC10>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=10}}</ref>
[[File:Arthur Joseph Davis.jpg|thumb|left|[[Arthur Joseph Davis]] was the person who designed the interior of ''Aquitania''.]]

The second class had a dining room, several lounges, a smoking room, a veranda café, and a gymnasium; many being unique facilities for this class on British ocean liners of the time. The third class had several common areas, a promenade, and three shared bathrooms.<ref name=MC10/> The cabins offered great comfort. The first class included eight luxury suites, named after famous painters. A large number of first-class cabins had bathrooms, although not all did. The second-class cabins were larger than average, most being capable of accommodating three people as opposed to the standard four. Her Third Class accommodations were a great expansion in facilities compared to her running mates. While most Cunard liners had their Third Class areas confined forward, aboard ''Aquitania'' such spaces spanned the full length of the ship, and included several large open areas, three large dining rooms and both open and enclosed promenades.<ref>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=88}}</ref>

Over her thirty-five years career, her facilities changed. Examples of this were the addition of a cinema during her refit from 1932 to 1933<ref>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=45}}</ref> and the reorganisation of the tourist class during the 1920s for giving greater comfort to poor passengers.<ref>[http://www.markchirnside.co.uk/rms_aquitania_interior.html ''Aquitania, Down the Years''], ''Mark Chirnside's Reception Room''. Accesses 24 February 2013</ref>

== Early career and World War I ==
[[File:Aquitaniaposter.PNG|thumb|200px|A famous poster of ''Aquitania'' shows a cut-away of the ship, revealing its luxurious interior.|left]]

''Aquitania''{{'}}s maiden voyage was under the command of [[William Thomas Turner|Captain William Turner]] on 30 May 1914 with arrival in New York on 5 June.<ref name="maritimequest" />{{sfn|International Marine Engineering|(July 1914)|p=277}} The voyage and arrival in New York received great attention.<ref>[http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/search/pages/results/?state=&date1=1914&date2=1914&proxtext=Aquitania&x=0&y=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&rows=20&searchType=basic Newspaper articles heralding the new ship on her maiden trip to New York]</ref> Fifteen days earlier, the German liner ''SS Vaterland'', being the largest ship in the world at the time, was put into service. In the eye of the press, this maiden voyage was a matter of national prestige.<ref>{{harvnb|Le Goff|1998|p=52}}</ref> However, this event was overshadowed by the sinking of {{RMS|Empress of Ireland|1906|6}} in [[Quebec]] the previous day with over a thousand drowned.<ref>{{harvnb|Le Goff|1998|p=28}}</ref> However, no passenger cancelled their voyage aboard the ''Aquitania'', despite the strong emotion aroused by this sinking.<ref name=MC19/> During her maiden voyage, the ship carried around 1,055 passengers, which was about a third of her total capacity. This was because a [[superstition]] pushed some people away from travelling on a ship's maiden voyage.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} The crossing fully satisfied the crew and the company. Average speed for the voyage, a distance of {{convert|3181|nmi|lk=in}} measured from Liverpool to the [[Lightship Ambrose|Ambrose Channel lightship]], was {{convert|23.1|kn}},{{sfn|International Marine Engineering|(July 1914)|p=277}} taking into account a five-hour stop due to fog and the proximity of icebergs.<ref>[https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83016689/1914-06-05/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=1914&sort=relevance&rows=20&words=Aquitania+AQUITANIA&searchType=basic&sequence=0&index=9&state=&date2=1914&proxtext=aquitania&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=3 ''The Detroit Times''] 'Aquitania' Sets New Record For Ocean Passage' June 5, 1914</ref> The ship briefly managed to exceed 25 knots. Also, her coal consumption was significantly lower than that of ''Lusitania'' and ''Mauretania''. Many passengers enjoyed the voyage. On the return trip, the success was renewed; she carried a total of 2,649 passengers, which was a record for a British liner leaving New York.<ref name=MC23>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=23}}</ref>
[[File:H.M.H.S. Aquitania, detail Wellcome L0020267.jpg|alt=|thumb|250px|''Aquitania'' as a [[hospital ship]] in [[World War I]].]]

Upon arrival at her home port, she underwent minor modifications, which took into account observations made during the two first crossings (this was typical for a liner after its first round trip).<ref name=MC23/> Two more round trips took place in the second half of June and the whole of July of that year. Her architect Peskett was on board during those trips to note any defect and room for improvement. In total, 11,208 passengers travelled on the ship during her first six crossings. Her career was abruptly interrupted by the outbreak of [[World War I]], which removed her from passenger service for six years.<ref name=MC26>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=26}}</ref><ref>[https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn89051168/1914-07-31/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1914&sort=relevance&rows=20&words=Aquitania+AQUITANIA&searchType=basic&sequence=0&index=0&state=&date2=1914&proxtext=aquitania&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=3  "Government Assumes Control of Aquitania For Transport Purposes"]; ''The [[Pine Bluff Daily Graphic]]''; July 31, 1914</ref>

''Aquitania'' was converted into an armed merchant cruiser on 5 August 1914, for which provision had been made in her design. On 8 August, having been rid of decorative elements and armed with guns, she was sent on patrol. On 22 August, she collided with a liner named ''Canadian''. Shortly after, the Admiralty found that large liners were too expensive to operate as cruisers. On 30 September, she was repaired, disarmed, and returned to Cunard Line.<ref name=MC27>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=27}}</ref><ref name="TGOL" />
[[File:HMT Aquitania.jpg|thumb|250px|''Aquitania'' as a [[troopship]] in [[Dazzle camouflage|dazzle paint scheme]], photographed at Halifax in 1918.]]

After being idle for a time, in the spring of 1915 she was recalled by the Admiralty and converted into a [[troopship]], and made voyages to the [[Dardanelles]], sometimes running alongside ''Britannic'' or ''Mauretania''. Around 30,000 men were transported on the ship to the battlefield between May and August of that year.<ref name=MC27/> ''Aquitania'' then was converted into a [[hospital ship]], and acted in that role during the [[Battle of Gallipoli|Dardanelles campaign]].<ref name="maritimequest" /><ref name=LG55>{{harvnb|Le Goff|1998|p=55}}</ref> In 1916, the year that White Star's flagship, and one of ''Aquitania''{{'}}s main rivals, ''Britannic'', was sunk, ''Aquitania'' was returned to the trooping front, and then in 1917 was laid up in the [[Solent]].<ref name="maritimequest" /><ref>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=33}}</ref> In 1918, now under the command of [[Sir James Charles (mariner)|James Charles]], the ship was back on the high seas in troopship service, conveying North American troops to Britain. Many of these departures were from the port of [[City of Halifax|Halifax, Nova Scotia]] where the ship's dazzle paint scheme was captured by artists and photographers, including [[Antonio Jacobsen]]. On one occasion ''Aquitania'' transported over 8,000 men. During her nine voyages, she transported approximately a total of 60,000 men. During this period, she collided with [[USS Shaw (DD-68)|USS ''Shaw'']] and tore apart its bow. The accident killed a dozen members of the American ship's crew.<ref>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=34}}</ref>

After the end of the war, in December 1918, ''Aquitania'' was dismissed from military service. She collided with the British [[cargo ship]] {{SS|Lord Dufferin||2}}  at [[New York City|New York]] in the [[United States]] on 28 February 1919. ''Lord Dufferin'' sank and ''Aquitania'' rescued her crew.<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Lord Reading's ship in collision |date=3 March 1919 |page=10 |issue=42038 |column=E }}</ref> ''Lord Dufferin'' was later refloated and beached.<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Casualty reports |date=3 March 1919 |page=16 |issue=42038 |column=A }}</ref>

==Interwar career==
In June 1919, ''Aquitania'' ran a Cunard "austerity service" between [[Southampton]], [[Cherbourg]], and New York. In December of that year ''Aquitania'' was docked at the [[Armstrong Whitworth]] yards in [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]] to be refitted for post-war service. The ship was converted from coal burner to oil-fired, which greatly reduced the number of engine room crew required.<ref name="maritimequest" /><ref name=LG54>{{harvnb|Le Goff|1998|p=54}}</ref> The original fittings and art pieces, removed when refitted for military use, were brought out of storage and re-installed. At some point during this time, a new wheelhouse was constructed above the original one as the officers had complained about the visibility over the ship's [[Bow (watercraft)|bow]]. The second wheelhouse can be seen in later pictures of the era and the original wheelhouse area below had the windows plated in.<ref name=MC35>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=35}}</ref>

===1920s===
[[File:Aquitania Post-WW1.jpg|left|thumb|''Aquitania'' after her 1920 refit. This photograph was taken in the 1930s.]]
''Aquitania'' resumed her commercial service on 17 July 1920, leaving from Liverpool with 2,433 passengers on board. The crossing was a success; the ship maintained good speed while showing that now being oil-fueled was much cheaper than coal-fueled propulsion.<ref name=MC36>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=36}}</ref> The ship's arrival in New York Harbor was filmed as part of the pioneering 1921 documentary ''[[Manhatta]]'', in which she is seen being pushed to her destination by tugboats. The months that followed were just as promising, despite a stewards' strike in May 1921.<ref>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=42}}</ref> At the beginning of the decade, ''Aquitania'' was the only large liner in the service of Cunard Line as the ''Mauretania'' was undergoing repair after a fire. The year 1921 was thus an exceptional year for her; she crossed the Atlantic 30 times (15 round trips) and broke a record by transporting a total of 60,587 passengers that year (including 26,331 in third class), averaging more than 2,000 passengers per crossing.<ref name=MC44>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=44}}</ref> In the following year, the ''Mauretania'' rejoined her in Cunard service. ''Aquitania'' operated in service with the ''Mauretania'' and {{RMS|Berengaria|3=2}} (formerly the German liner ''Imperator'') in a trio known as "The Big Three."<ref name="TGOL" /><ref name=MC43>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=43}}</ref>

In 1924, a [[Immigration Act of 1924|new restriction on immigration]] was passed in the United States, causing the number of third-class passengers to decline significantly. From more than 26,000 third-class passengers transported by ''Aquitania'' in 1921, the figure fell to about 8,200 third-class passengers in 1925. The number of crew was thus reduced to around 850 people from the original 1,200.<ref name=MC43/> The third class was no longer the key to the profitability of the liner, and so the company had to adapt. The third-class gradually became a tourist class, which offered decent service at a low price. In 1926, the ship underwent a major overhaul, which reduced the passenger capacity from around 3,300 to around 2,200.<ref name=MC49>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=49}}</ref>

Still, the Cunard Line benefited from [[prohibition]] in the United States, which started in 1919. American liners were legally part of the territory of the United States, and thus alcoholic beverages could not be served on them. Passengers who wanted to drink therefore travelled on British liners in order to do so.<ref name=MC51>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=51}}</ref> ''Aquitania'' enjoyed great success, making much profit for her company. In 1929, she underwent a major refit. A bathroom was added to many first-class cabins, and the tourist class was renovated. While new competitors, such as the German liner [[SS Bremen (1928)|SS ''Bremen'']], entered service, ''Aquitania'' remained particularly popular after fifteen years of service.<ref name=MC52>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=52}}</ref>

===Crisis of 1929 and its consequences===
Following the [[stock market crash]] of 1929, many ships were affected by the economic downturn and reduced traffic. ''Aquitania'' found herself in a tough position. Only a few could afford expensive passage on her now, so Cunard sent ''Aquitania'' on cheap cruises to the [[Mediterranean]]. These were successful, especially for Americans who went on "booze cruises," tired of their country's prohibition.<ref name=MC62>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=62}}</ref> Another problem also arose: the two liners of the [[Norddeutscher Lloyd]], SS ''Bremen'' and [[SS Europa (1928)|SS ''Europa'']], successfully captured the [[Blue Riband]] and many customers.<ref>{{harvnb|Le Goff|1998|p=73}}</ref> In 1934, the number of passengers ''Aquitania'' carried declined to around 13,000 from 30,000 in 1929.<ref>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=91}}</ref> The ship, however, remained popular and she was the third busiest in the early 1930s behind those two German liners.<ref name=MC62/>
[[File:StateLibQld 1 143895 Queen Elizabeth (ship).jpg|thumb|[[RMS Queen Elizabeth|RMS ''Queen Elizabeth'']], the ocean liner intended to replace ''Aquitania'' upon her arrival in 1940]]

To keep the ship up to date, she underwent a refit, which added a cinema, between 1932 and 1933. At the same time, in order to modernise its fleet, the company ordered the ''Queen Mary''. The [[Great Depression]], however, prevented the company from being able to fully finance the construction, and the company merged with its rival, the White Star Line, in 1934 in order to do so. The ''Queen Mary'' entered service in 1936.<ref>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=64}}</ref> Author C. R. Bonsor writing in 1963 states, "from 1936 on it became necessary to squeeze the maximum speed out of ''Aquitania'' in order to make her a suitable running mate for ''Queen Mary'' thus 24 knot passages became regular".<ref>Bonsor, C. R. "North Atlantic Seaway" c. 1963</ref>

''Aquitania'' ran aground in the Solent on 24 January 1934 but was refloated later the same day.<ref name=Times250134a>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Casualty reports |date=25 January 1934 |page=20 |issue=46661 |column=G }}</ref> The merger of the two companies into Cunard-White Star Line resulted in a large surplus of liners being owned by a single company. Thus, very old ships, such as the ''Mauretania'' and the ''Olympic'', were removed from service immediately and sent to the scrapyard. However, the ''Aquitania'' was retained, despite her age.<ref>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=66}}</ref> On 10 April 1935, ''Aquitania'' went hard aground on Thorne Knoll in the Solent near Southampton, England, but with the aid of ten tugboats, on the next high tide the ship was freed.<ref name="maritimequest" /> When the new liner RMS ''Queen Elizabeth'' was due to enter service in 1940, newspapers speculated that ''Aquitania'' would be scrapped that year, since the QE replaced her on the North Atlantic route. However, during that period, her performance continued to satisfy her company and the [[World War Two|Second World War]] soon broke out as well, making the old ocean liner useful once again. The year 1939 saw an increase in the number of wealthy passengers on board. The ship was then already 26 years old.<ref name=MC67>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=67}}</ref>

==World War II service==
[[File: Aquitania and USS Indianapolis at Statue of Liberty.jpg|right|thumb|''Aquitania'' passing ''USS Indianapolis'' in New York Harbor.]]
''Aquitania'', with a normal troop capacity of 7,400, was among the select group of large, fast former passenger ships capable of sailing independently without escort transporting large numbers of troops that were assigned worldwide as needed.{{sfn|Navy Department|1945|p=40}} These ships, often termed "Monsters" until London requested the term be dropped, were ''Aquitania'', ''Queen Mary'', ''Queen Elizabeth'', [[RMS Mauretania (1938)|''Mauretania'' (II)]], {{SS|Île de France||2}} and {{SS|Nieuw Amsterdam|1937|2}} with "lesser monsters" being other large ex-liners capable of independent sailing with large troop capacity that accounted for much of the troop capacity and deployment, particularly in the early days of the war.{{sfn|Leighton|Coakley|1955–68|v.1|p=158}}{{sfn|Gill|1968|pp=36–37}}
[[File:RMS Aquitania.jpg|thumb|left|''Aquitania'' during [[World War Two]].]]

Plans to replace ''Aquitania'' with the newer ''Queen Elizabeth'' in 1940 had been forestalled by outbreak of World War II in 1939.<ref name="TGOL" /> On 16 September 1939 ''Aquitania'', awaiting initial refit as a troop ship, was at pier 90 in New York along with ''Queen Mary'' while nearby, at pier 88, were the French ships ''Île de France'' and {{SS|Normandie|3=2}}.<ref name="maritimequest" /><ref name="TGOL" /> She returned to Southampton and was requisitioned on 18 November.<ref name=MC74>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=74}}</ref>

''Aquitania''{{'}}s initial troop transport operation was taking Canadian troops to Scotland, Convoy TC1 in company with ''[[RMS Empress of Britain (1930)|Empress of Britain]], [[RMS Empress of Australia (1919)|Empress of Australia]], {{ship|SS|Duchess of Bedford||2}}, Monarch of Bermuda,'' HMS ''Hood'', HMS ''Warspite'', HMS ''Barham'', HMS ''Resolution'', HMS ''Repulse'', HMS ''Furious'', December 1939.<ref name="maritimequest" /> Meanwhile, a massive transport of Australian and New Zealand troops to [[Suez]] and North Africa, with possible diversion to the United Kingdom if events required, was in planning with the numbered convoys to be designated as "US" with the large Atlantic liners assigned a role.{{sfn|Gill|1968|pp=84–85, 103, 112}} The fast convoy designated as US.3 was composed of ''Aquitania'' and the liners ''Queen Mary'', ''Mauretania'', ''Empress of Britain'', {{RMS|Empress of Canada|1920|2}}, {{RMS|Empress of Japan|1929|2}} and {{RMS|Andes|1939|2}}.{{sfn|Gill|1968|p=103}} ''Aquitania'', ''Empress of Britain'' and ''Empress of Japan'', after embarking New Zealand troops at [[Wellington]] in May, sailed escorted by {{HMAS|Canberra|D33|6}}, {{HMAS|Australia|D84|6}}, and {{HMNZS|Leander||6}} to join the Australian component off Sydney on 5 May 1940.{{sfn|Gill|1968|p=113}} Joined off Sydney by ''Queen Mary'' and ''Mauretania'' the convoy sailed the same day to be joined the next by ''Empress of Canada'' from [[Melbourne]] for a stop at [[Fremantle]] 10–12 May before the voyage intended to be for [[Colombo]].{{sfn|Gill|1968|p=113}} About midway to Colombo, on 15 May, the convoy was rerouted due to the rapid German [[Battle of France|penetrations into France]] with the ultimate destination of Gourock, Scotland via [[Cape Town]], South Africa and [[Freetown, Sierra Leone]] where the escort strengthened by various ships including the [[aircraft carrier]]s {{HMS|Hermes|95|6}} and {{HMS|Argus|I49|6}} and the [[battlecruiser]] {{HMS|Hood|51|6}}.{{sfn|Gill|1968|pp=113–114}} The convoy arrived in the [[River Clyde|Clyde]] and anchored off Gourock on 16 June 1940.{{sfn|Gill|1968|p=114}}

[[File:RMS Aquitania IWM C 004812.jpg|thumb|right|''Aquitania'' painted grey during [[World War II]].]]
Now repainted battleship grey, in November 1941 ''Aquitania'' was in the British colony of [[Singapore]], from which she sailed to take part indirectly in the loss of the Australian cruiser {{HMAS|Sydney|1934|6}}. ''Sydney'' had engaged in battle with the German [[auxiliary cruiser]] {{ship|German auxiliary cruiser|Kormoran||2}}. There has been much unsubstantiated speculation that ''Kormoran'' was expecting ''Aquitania'', after spies in Singapore had notified ''Kormoran''{{'}}s crew of the liner's sailing and planned to ambush her in the Indian Ocean west of [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] but instead encountered ''Sydney'' on 19 November. Both ships were lost after a fierce battle. On the morning of 24 November ''Aquitania'' en route to Sydney from Singapore spotted and picked up twenty-six survivors of the German ship but maintained radio silence and did not pass word until in visual range of [[Wilson's Promontory]] on 27 November.{{sfn|Gill|1957|p=452}} The captain had gone against orders not to stop for survivors of sinkings.<ref name="maritimequest" /> There were no survivors from ''Sydney''.

December saw the outbreak of war in the Pacific, then Japanese advances throughout Southeast Asia and toward Australia, necessitating the redeployment of defensive forces.{{sfn|Gill|1957|pp=486–512}} On 28 December ''Aquitania'' and two smaller transports departed Sydney with 4,150 Australian troops and 10,000 tons of equipment for [[Port Moresby]], New Guinea. (On the same date, {{USS|Houston|CA-30|6}} and other U.S. ships evacuating from the north reached [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]], with {{USS|Pensacola|CA-24|6}}, and elements of her [[Pensacola Convoy|diverted Philippine convoy]] some {{convert|300|mi|km}} ahead.) ''Aquitania'' was back in Sydney on 8 January 1942.{{sfn|Gill|1957|p=512}} The next effort was reinforcement of Singapore and the [[Netherlands East Indies]] with ''Aquitania'' transporting Australian troops (whose equipment was in Convoy MS.1) as the single ship MS.2 convoy, under escort of HMAS ''Canberra''.{{sfn|Gill|1957|p=523–524}} The ship had been the only suitable transport for such a large movement. Originally, transport directly to Singapore was considered, but the danger from aircraft to such a valuable asset and so many troops caused a change of plans.  Instead, ''Aquitania'' departed Sydney on 10 January, reaching Ratai Bay at the [[Sunda Strait]] on 20 January, where 3,456 personnel (including some Navy, Air Force and civilians) were transhipped{{sfn|Gill|1957|p=523–524}} under a covering naval force to seven smaller vessels (six of them Dutch [[Koninklijke Paketvaart-Maatschappij|KPM]] ships) that would continue to Singapore as convoy MS.2A.{{sfn|Gill|1957|p=523–524}} ''Aquitania'' was returned to Sydney on 31 January.{{sfn|Gill|1957|p=523–524}}

[[File:RMS Aquitania at the Boston Navy Yard in 1942.jpg|thumb|left|''Aquitania'' at [[Boston Naval Shipyard]], September 1942.]]
With the United States in the war, ''Aquitania'' (then with a troop capacity of 4,500) had been scheduled for transport duties from the United States to Australia in February, but necessary repairs delayed that. Because her deep draft was hazardous in Australian and intermediate ports in the Pacific Islands,{{sfn|Leighton|Coakley|1955–68|v.1|p=158, 203}} she spent March and April 1942 transporting troops from the west coast of the U.S. to Hawaii.{{sfn|Leighton|Coakley|1955–68|v.1|p=158}}{{sfn|Gill|1968|p=37}}  Then ''Aquitania'' was temporarily transferred from Pacific duties to support the movement of troops from the United States to Britain, sailing 30 April from New York in a large convoy that transported some 19,000 troops.{{sfn|Leighton|Coakley|1955–68|v.1|p=362}}
On 12 May 1942 ''Aquitania'' loaded troops at Gourock destined for the war in the Middle East, departing in convoy WS19P on 1 June with destroyers and heavy weather, she broke off independently on 7 June due to her greater speed with designation WS19Q.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naval-history.net/xAH-WSConvoys05-1942A.htm|title=WS (Winston Specials) Convoys in WW2 – 1942 Sailings|website=www.naval-history.net|access-date=6 April 2018}}</ref> The first port of call was 48 hours at Freetown (West Africa) on 11 June, then 3 days at [[Simon's Town|Simonstown]], South Africa 20 June 48 hours at [[Diego-Suarez|Diego Suarez]], Madagascar from 30 June 24 hours at [[Tawahi (Aden)|Steamer Point]], Aden on 3 July, and then disembarkation at [[Suez Port|Port Tewfik]], Egypt from 8 July 1942.<ref>Diary LAC A Richardson, 1230298</ref> The return journey was via Diego Suarez, Cape Town, Freetown and then to Boston. By September ''Aquitania'' was engaged in a triangular troop deployment of United States-United Kingdom-Indian Ocean voyages.{{sfn|Leighton|Coakley|1955–68|v.1|p=364}}
[[File:HMT Île-De-France and HMT Aquitania during WW2.JPG|thumb|''Aquitania'' (''left'') and {{SS|Île de France}} during [[Operation Pamphlet]].]]
As part of the major redeployment of Australian troops from North Africa to the defence of Australia and start of offensive operations in the [[South West Pacific Area|Southwest Pacific]]. ''Aquitania'', ''Queen Mary'', ''Île de France'', ''Nieuw Amsterdam'', and the armed merchant cruiser [[SS Queen of Bermuda|HMS ''Queen of Bermuda'']] transported the [[Australian 9th Division]] to Sydney in [[Operation Pamphlet]] during January and February 1943.{{sfn|Gill|1968|p=287}}

By the buildup for the invasion of Europe in 1944 troop deployments to Britain depended heavily on ''Aquitania'' and the other "Monsters" and no allowance could be made for interruption of their service for other transport requirements.{{sfn|Leighton|Coakley|1955–68|v.2|p=298}}

Wartime embarkation at New York is described in some detail in the description of the departure of the Special Navy Advance Group 56 (SNAG 56) that was to become Navy Base Hospital Number 12 at the [[Netley Hospital|Royal Victoria Hospital]], [[Netley]], England, to receive casualties from Normandy. The unit was sent by "devious routes" by train to [[Jersey City]] where under cover of darkness they boarded a ferry crossing to the covered pier 86 in New York where a band played and the Red Cross served their last coffee and doughnuts as they boarded "N.Y. 40", the [[New York Port of Embarkation]] code designation for ''Aquitania'', which got underway the morning of 29 January 1944 with some 1,000 Navy and 7,000 Army personnel for arrival at Gourock, Scotland 5 February.{{sfn|Hudson|1946|pp=7–11}}

In eight years of military work, ''Aquitania'' sailed more than 500,000 miles, and carried nearly 400,000 soldiers,<ref name="maritimequest" /><ref name=MC89>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=89}}</ref> to and from places as far afield as New Zealand, Australia, the South Pacific, Greece and the Indian Ocean.<ref name=MC76>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=76}}</ref> Cunard historian Michael Gallagher said: "Wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill credited ''Aquitania'', with ''Queen Mary'' and ''Queen Elizabeth'', for shortening World War II in Europe by a year."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elson |first=Peter |date=2014-06-08 |title=Reflecting on one of the greatest ocean liners of all time - RMS Aquitania |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/reflecting-one-greatest-ocean-liners-7233961 |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=Liverpool Echo |language=en}}</ref>

== Postwar service and retirement ==
[[File:Aquitania in Southampton 1947.jpg|thumb|left|1947: ''Aquitania'' in her final years, sporting her wartime grey with uniquely painted Cunard funnels.]]
After completing troopship service, the vessel was handed back to Cunard-White Star in 1948. She underwent a refit for passenger service. She was then used to transport [[war bride]]s and their children to Canada under charter from the Canadian government.  This final service created a special fondness for ''Aquitania'' in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the port of disembarkation for these immigration voyages.<ref>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=85}}</ref><ref name="TGOL" />

[[File:RMS Aquitania Mural.png|thumb|right|220px|Mural of ''Aquitania'', the "Ship Beautiful".]]
''Aquitania'' sailed on her last commercial voyage from Halifax to Southampton, from 24 November 1949 to 1 December 1949. After serving her purpose, the old ''Aquitania'' was taken out of service in December 1949, when the ship's Board of Trade certificate was not renewed as the condition of the ship had deteriorated, and it would have been cost-prohibitive to be brought up to new safety standards, namely fire code regulations. The decks leaked in foul weather, the bulkheads and funnels were corroded to a point that one could stick their finger through them.  A long-standing rumor was made that during a corporate luncheon held on the ship, a piano had fallen through the roof of one of the dining rooms from the deck above. This has been proven to be false.<ref name="TGOL" /><ref name=MC86>{{harvnb|Chirnside|2008|p=86}}</ref>

[[File:Aquitania scrap Faslane funnelless.jpg|thumb|left|''Aquitania'' being scrapped in Faslane, Scotland in 1950.]]
After its last voyage in February 1950 from Southampton to [[Faslane (bay)|Faslane]], the vessel was sold to British Iron and Steel Corporation for scrap for £125,000 at Faslane in [[Scotland]].<ref name="maritimequest" /> Dismantling took more than a year and was finished in November 1951.<ref name=MC86/> This ended a career which included steaming 3&nbsp;million miles over 450 round voyages. ''Aquitania'' carried 1.2&nbsp;million passengers through an active sea career that spanned nearly 36 years, making her the longest-serving Express Liner of the 20th century. ''Aquitania'' was the only major liner and largest vessel to serve in and survive both World Wars.  She was also the last four-funnelled passenger ship to be scrapped.<ref name=MC89/> The ship's wheel and a detailed scale model of ''Aquitania'' may be seen in the Cunard exhibit at the [[Maritime Museum of the Atlantic]] in Halifax.

Maritime author N. R. P. Bonsor wrote of ''Aquitania'' in 1963: "Cunard had recovered possession of their veteran in 1948 but she was not worth reconditioning. In 35 years of service ''Aquitania'' had sailed more than 3 million miles and apart from one or two early [[Allan Line Royal Mail Steamers|Allan Line]] steamers no other ship served for as long in a single ownership."<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/North-Atlantic-Seaway-Illustrated-Supplement/dp/B00UUC0UCG/ref=sr_1_19?s=book&ie=UTF8&qid=1495903389&sr=1-19&keywords=bonsor%2C+n.+r.+p.  ''North Atlantic Seaway: An Illustrated History of the Passenger Services Linking the Old World with the New'', with 1960 Supplement Hardcover – 1960 by N. R. P. Bonsor] with later succeeding volumes updated</ref><ref>[https://catalog.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchArg1=63023868&argType1=phrase&searchCode1=K010&searchType=2&combine2=and&searchArg2=&argType2=all&searchCode2=GKEY&combine3=and&searchArg3=&argCode3=GKEY&location=all&place=all&type=all&language=all&recCount=10  ''British passenger liners of the five oceans, a record of the British passenger lines and their liners from 1838 to the present day''] (1963 when published) by Charles Robert Vernon Gibbs, {{LCCN|63023868}}, {{ASIN|B000KF490M}}</ref><ref>[https://www.loc.gov/rr/business/ships/registers_pass.html  ''Business Reference Services:  Ships and Ship Registers: Sources of Information'' Library of Congress referral page] Retrieved 27 May 2017</ref>

== Gallery ==

{{Gallery
|width=180 |height=120
|align=center
|File:RMS Aquitania Naval Drawing.gif
 |A naval drawing of RMS ''Aquitania'' in her original 1914 appearance (starboard profile).
|File:Drawing of the First Class Dining Saloon on the RMS Aquitania.jpg
 |''Aquitania''{{'s}} First Class Dining Room.
|File:Drawing of the First Class Smoking Room of the RMS Aquitania.jpg
 |''Aquitania''{{'s}} First Class Smoking Room.
|File:Drawing of the First Class Staircase on the RMS Aquitania.jpg
 |''Aquitania''{{'s}} First Class Staircase.
|File:Drawing of the First Class Swimming baths on the RMS Aquitania.jpg
 |''Aquitania''{{'s}} First Class Swimming Pool.
| File:RMS Aquitania First Class Lounge.png
 |''Aquitania''{{'s}} First Class Lounge.|File:Stern view of the 'Aquitania' (1914) in drydock RMG G10802.tiff
 |RMS ''Aquitania'', stern view. This photograph was taken in early May 1914, shortly before the ship's maiden voyage later that month.
|File:Aquitania 06.jpg
 |RMS ''Aquitania'' as built in 1914.
|File:Hospital Ship Aquitania.jpg
 |HMHS ''Aquitania'' seen in 1916 as a hospital ship during [[World War One|The Great War]].
|File:The Aquitania in Dazzle Paint.jpg
 |A drawing of HMT ''Aquitania'' in her own unique dazzle scheme during [[World War One|World War I]].
|File:The Royal Navy in the First World War Q70323.jpg
 |RMS ''Aquitania'' photographed on February 22 1919. She is still painted in her unique [[World War One|WW1]] dazzle scheme.
|File:RMS Aquitania with Mauretania and Olympic in Southampton.jpg
 |RMS ''Aquitania'' seen with one of her running mates, [[RMS Mauretania (1906)|RMS ''Mauretania'']] (right in front), and the White Star Liner [[RMS Olympic|RMS ''Olympic'']] (far left) at [[Southampton]], early 1920s.
|File:'Aquitania' (1914) RMG G10918.tiff
 |RMS ''Aquitania'' in the late 1920s.
|File:Aquitania near Southampton, 1935.jpg
 |RMS ''Aquitania'' grounded hard on Thorne Knoll near [[Southampton]], April 1935.
|File:Aquitania scrap Faslane.jpg
 |RMS ''Aquitania'' photographed while being scrapped, late 1950.
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book|last=Chirnside|first=Mark|title=RMS Aquitania: The Ship Beautiful|publisher=The History Press|year=2008|isbn=9-780752-444444}}
* {{cite book |last=Gill |first=G. Hermon |title=Royal Australian Navy, 1939–1942 |series=[[Australia in the War of 1939–1945]]. Series 2 – Navy |volume=1 |year=1957 |publisher=Australian War Memorial |location=Canberra |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1070207/ |oclc=848228}}
* {{cite book |last=Gill |first=G. Hermon |title=Royal Australian Navy, 1939–1942 |series=Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 2 – Navy |volume=2 |year=1968 |publisher=Australian War Memorial |location=Canberra |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1070208/ |oclc=65475}}
* {{cite book |last=Hudson |first=Henry W. |title=The Story of SNAG 56 |year=1946 |publisher=Harvard University Press |location=Cambridge, Mass. |url=https://archive.org/stream/TheStoryOfSNAG56Book/The%20Story%20of%20SNAG%2056%20%20Book#page/n2/mode/1up}}
* {{cite journal |title=The New Cunard Express Liner ''Aquitania'' |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=827mAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA277 |journal=International Marine Engineering |volume=XIX |issue=July 1914 |pages=277–283 |publisher=Aldrich Publishing Company |access-date=19 October 2014 |ref={{sfnref|International Marine Engineering|(July 1914)}}|year = 1914}}
* {{cite book|last1=Layton|first1=Kent|last2=Fitch|first2=Tad|title=The Unseen Aquitania: the ship in rare illustrations|date=2016|publisher=[[The History Press]]|location=Stroud, Gloucestershire|isbn=978-0750967358}}
* {{cite book |last1=Leighton |first1=Richard M |last2=Coakley |first2=Robert W |date=1968 |orig-year=1st. Pub. 1955 |title=The War Department – Global Logistics And Strategy 1940–1943 |series=United States Army in World War II |volume=1 |location=Washington, DC |publisher=Center of Military History, United States Army |lccn=55060001  |ref={{sfnref|Leighton|Coakley|1955–68|v.1|p=}}}}
* {{cite book |last1=Leighton |first1=Richard M |last2=Coakley |first2=Robert W |year=1968 |orig-year=1st. Pub. 1955 |title=The War Department – Global Logistics And Strategy 1943–1945 |series=United States Army in World War II |volume=2 |location=Washington, DC |publisher=Center of Military History, United States Army |lccn=55060001 |ref={{sfnref|Leighton|Coakley|1955–68|v.2|p=}}}}
* {{cite book|last=Le Goff|first=Olivier|title=Les Plus Beaux Paquebots du Monde|publisher=Solar|year=1998|language=fr|isbn=978-2263027994}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/adminhist11_convoyrouting.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131108025239/http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/adminhist11_convoyrouting.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 November 2013 |title=United States Naval Administration in World War II – History of Convoy and Routing |author1=Navy Department – Headquarters of the Commander in Chief, United States Fleet |author2=Commander, Tenth Fleet |date=1945 |publisher=Naval History & Heritage Command  |access-date=20 October 2014 |ref={{harvid|Navy Department|1945}}}}
* {{cite book|last1=Osborne|first1=Richard|last2=Spong|first2=Harry|last3=Grover|first3=Tom|title=Armed Merchant Cruisers 1878–1945|year=2007|publisher=World Warship Society|location=Windsor, UK|isbn=978-0-9543310-8-5|name-list-style=amp}}
* {{cite book|language=fr|last=Piouffre|first=Gérard|title=Le Titanic ne répond plus|location=Paris|publisher=Larousse|year=2009|isbn=978-2-03-584196-4}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Aquitania (ship, 1914)}}
* [http://www.atlanticliners.com/aquitania_home.htm ''Aquitania Home'' at "Atlantic Liners.com"]
* {{cite web |url=https://www.chriscunard.com/history-fleet/cunard-fleet/1900-1930/aquitania/ |title=Aquitania |work=Chris' Cunard Page |access-date=16 February 2010 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070711233008/http://www.atlanticliners.com/Images/Other%20Images/PDF/Earl%20Stott%20Voyage%20on%20the%20Aquitania.PDF A First-Hand Account of a Second World War Voyage on the ''Aquitania'' (PDF Download)]
* [http://lostliners.com/content/?p=758 ''Aquitania'' on Lost Liners.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401191915/http://lostliners.com/content/?p=758 |date=1 April 2016 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070225114404/http://www.atlanticliners.com/atlantic_liners_book.htm ''Atlantic Liners: A Trio of Trios'', by J. Kent Layton]
* [http://gracesguide.co.uk/RMS_Aquitania Grace's Guide] page on ''Aquitania''
* [https://greatships.net/aquitania Great Ships]
* {{cite web |url=https://www.cabinliners.com/aquitania/ |title=R.M.S. Aquitania |work=Cabin Liners}}
* [https://exploreuk.uky.edu/catalog/xt7bg7371619_79#page/1/mode/1up University of Kentucky]
* [https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/reflecting-one-greatest-ocean-liners-7233961 Liverpool Echo]
* [https://hec.lrfoundation.org.uk/whats-on/blogs/first-and-famous-aquitania Lloyd's Register Foundation]
* [https://www.ggarchives.com/OceanTravel/ImmigrantShips/Aquitania.html RMS Aquitania Archival Collection - GG Archives]
*[https://centerformaritimestrategy.org/publications/the-rms-aquitania-and-the-enduring-importance-of-military-sealift-capabilities/ Center for Maritime Strategy] ''The RMS Aquitania and the Enduring Importance of Military Sealift Capabilities'' by Gustavo Vazquez March 12, 2024
*[http://hajosnep.blog.hu/2024/07/18/r_m_s_aquitania_story_of_world_s_wonder_ship TIT HAJOZASTORTENETI R.M.S. Aquitania - Story of World's Wonder Ship] July 18, 2024 (Hungarian ship site)
*[http://reddit.com/r/ThingsCutInHalfPorn/comments/14jh85t/cunard_ocean_liner_rms_aquitania_5000_x_1050/#lightbox Aquitania foldout] deck plans

{{Four funnels}}
{{Cunard ships}}
{{October 1918 shipwrecks}}
{{1919 shipwrecks}}
{{1934 shipwrecks}}
{{1935 shipwrecks}}

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{{EngvarB|date=July 2019}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Aquitania}}
[[Category:Ships of the Cunard Line]]
[[Category:Steamships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Passenger ships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Ships built on the River Clyde]]
[[Category:Four funnel liners]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1918]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1919]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1934]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1935]]
[[Category:World War I Auxiliary cruisers of the Royal Navy]]
[[Category:1913 ships]]
[[Category:Hospital ships in World War I]]