Classic Ships - RMS AQUITANIA

As we approach the new year of 2017 we continue with a look back the way at some of the classic ships built not only at Leith but all over the world, as shipbuilding is a truly global industry now.

RMS AQUITANIA

It is debatable if we could feature a finer vessel in this classic ship series than the Liner that was to be known as "The Ship Beautiful" the RMS AQUITANIA built and launched at the John Brown Shipbuilding yard on the Clyde in Scotland.

If ever a ship deserved her given title it was the grand old AQUITANIA a vessel that was to serve through two world wars and survive is a real testament to the shipbuilding skills on the River Clyde.

The AQUITANIA on the stocks at John Browns at Clydebank almost ready to launch in 1913

RMS AQUITANIA was ordered by the Cunard Line and designed by Leonard Peskett. and built by John Brown & Company in Clydebank, Scotland.

She was launched on 21 April 1913 and sailed on her maiden voyage to New York on 30 May 1914.

The RMS AQUITANIA was the third in Cunard Line's "grand trio" of express liners, preceded by RMS Mauretania and RMS Lusitania, and was the last surviving four-funnelled ocean liner.

Widely considered one of the most attractive ships of her time, AQUITANIA earned the nickname "The Ship Beautiful".

In her 36 years of service, AQUITANIA survived military duty in both world wars and was returned to passenger service after both the First World War and the Second World War.

AQUITANIA held the record for the longest service career of any 20th-century express liner until broken by Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) in 2004, became the longest serving Cunard Line vessel.

You will find a great many more classic ships photographs at the website, the collection is being added to continuously, so why not check it out.