Lusitania & Mauretania: Cunard's Revolutionary Liners
Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары
The Cunard Line's express ocean liners Lusitania and Mauretania were revolutionary ships. Powered by steam turbine engines, they were destined to be the fastest liners in the world for years to come. The popular Lusitania's life was cut short when she was torpedoed by a German U-boat, but Mauretania went on to complete a successful commercial and military career.
Support the show on Patreon and get exclusive benefits: / thegreatbigmove
Sources:
- “The Only Way to Cross” by John Maxtone-Graham
- “Lost Liners” by Robert Ballard and Rick Archbold
- “The Sway of the Grand Saloon: a Social History of the North Atlantic” by John Malcolm Brinnin
- “Titanic hero: the Autobiography of Captain Rostron of the Carpathia” by Arthur Rostron
- “Ocean Liners: an Illustrated History” by Peter Newall
Have something to say? Leave a comment!
The best way to support the channel is to share this video with your friends and family and on social media. Subscribe! New videos are posted every third Thursday.
Пікірлер: 500
I've been binging your backlog of videos and the steady increase of quality is incredibly apparent. You're very skilled at presenting and each video following the previous is more and more thoughtfully, comprehensively, entertainingly, and educationally composed. But most of all each video that you release vividly displays more and more of your passion for transportation. Great work!
@TheGreatBigMove
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you! That means a lot because I have been working hard to continuously improve. I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos.
@Aphelia.
3 жыл бұрын
I agree with this comment and I should say I love your nickname as well.
@shaynewheeler9249
2 жыл бұрын
Coal fired steamship Titanic
@UnionPacific3977
2 жыл бұрын
@@TheGreatBigMove I do enjoy your work, second to best ocean liner KZreadr. The first being "Big Old Boats"
That picture of Mauritania laid up next to Olympic is very powerful to me, it's two friendly rivals who were adored by their passengers, share the pain of losing a sister and had very successful careers and lived through war. However, due to the depression and circumstances out of their control, they bravely hold hands just once to face their ungraceful death
@mr.juniii5523
3 жыл бұрын
yes mate :(
@lm7bird680
3 жыл бұрын
@supernumery ...I never said speed
@gregt8638
3 жыл бұрын
Well said, Matt! Thank you- Greg T, California
@spiroagnew3909
3 жыл бұрын
You have a way with words man
@stupidstudiosproductions2179
3 жыл бұрын
Olympic kinda has it worse if you think about it, She lost BOTH her sisters
*Fun fact:* The Carmania ( 3:11 ) had an interesting event happen to it during the war. Carmania had a run-in with the German ship, Cap Trafalgar during WWI. Both ships were converted military cruisers. What was interesting was that the Cap Trafalgar was disguised as the Carmania itself! Carmania immediately saw through the disguise of herself and the two ships battled. This was known as the Battle of Trindade. Campania managed to sink the Cap Trafalgar. There is even a picture of Cap Trafalgar burning in the video with Carmania in the background ( 10:48 ). This was a very Ironic story indeed.
@Doyle-
3 жыл бұрын
Are Both Were Armed Troop Ships Or Auxilary Cruiser?
@AndyHappyGuy
3 жыл бұрын
@@Doyle- all I know are they are both military cruisers.
@A7XFan800
3 жыл бұрын
@@Doyle- Auxiliary Cruiser.
@AndyHappyGuy
3 жыл бұрын
@VT - 06KS 801639 McCrimmon MS yes
@spiroagnew3909
3 жыл бұрын
A whole ass ocean and you run into the one ship you were disguised as lmao
Sir Arthur Henry Rostron is a legend.15:56
@SymphonyBrahms
2 жыл бұрын
The captain of the Carpathia, the ship that rescued the Titanic survivors.
@starrsmith3810
2 жыл бұрын
He was one hell of a captain
@judydenver5362
Жыл бұрын
The best, most intelligent, most honest and loving Captain, EVER!!! He adored the Ships, and their souls, their hearts.
Always look forward to another one of your shipping videos!
@FreedomLovingLoyalistOfficial
3 жыл бұрын
When a famous KZreadr comes to your channel.
@zachg9065
3 жыл бұрын
Didn't expect to see you here! 2 great KZread channels.
@onenl.1
3 жыл бұрын
Oh you watch the great big move?
@thatcoolgamer9348
3 жыл бұрын
Hol up you like ships. Omg
@BluefireGames99
2 жыл бұрын
Didn’t expect to see you here, but hello my Australian friend
19:08 Very sad to think that Olympic and Mauretania are about to be scrapped in this image. I know it made economic sense to do so at the time, but it still is so unfortunate because I fully agree with FDR that certain ships do possess a "soul." Perhaps no one realized what treasures they were or how so many people who never even got to experience them would still miss them so greatly even to this day. At that time most people probably considered them as just old, tired, outdated ships which had served admirably under the hands of legends like Captain Rostron and countless others, but whose time had come due to the never-ending march of modernity and technological advancement. A lesson to be learned from these legendary ships is that we never truly know what we have until their gone and no matter how advanced our technologies become, nothing can quite match the grandeur of these great steamships from this era.
@ToreDL87
3 жыл бұрын
Yeah. But trust me they were spent to the point it's a wonder they were even floating. Olympic was apparently so badly off that the bulkheads were rusted clean through.
@jackthorton10
3 жыл бұрын
As much as I pain to say it the truth is... everything has a limit...
@adarsh4764
2 жыл бұрын
Thats why Queen Mary in docked in Long beach California! Coz ships like these represents Iconic history to the newer generations! If they managed to do that with the Olympic and Mauretania then for not till today but for ateast till the 50s and 60s generations could have gotten the chance to see them in live!
@3nzo.568
2 жыл бұрын
Also sad knowing that both ships had sisters which had unfortunate ends while they both lived successful careers
@MrGw1982
2 жыл бұрын
Yeah
Growing up I had a neighbor who actually had sailed on the Lusitania several times when he was a kid. His parents were from Sweden, and every 2-3 years they would take him and his siblings back to the old country to visit relatives for a couple of months. He told me he and his family sailed on Lusitania in Third Class four or five times before the war. He sailed on Mauretania once in the 20's, but she just wasn't the same.
There's a Public Bar and Lounge in the city of Bristol (UK) called "The Mauretania" where most of the ship's original interiors and furnishings still exist today. I also don't know if its true or not but someone once told me that the letters from the Mauretania's bow were rescued from the scrapyard and are now used on the outside of the building.
@cunard61
3 жыл бұрын
Yes that's correct, the big brass letters from her name on the bow are indeed outside the Mauretania Pub.
@kylepost4
3 жыл бұрын
Adding this to my bucket list :)
@trooperdgb9722
3 жыл бұрын
@@kylepost4 Me too!
@phillanassa759
3 жыл бұрын
Me 3 !
@jackthorton10
3 жыл бұрын
She may be scrapped... but her legend ableist a bar ... lives on
“Why did you slow down?” “Because I was being shaken off my bridge.” Kinda freaky.
i swear the ending of this video brought a tear to my eye.
@albertdewulf7688
3 жыл бұрын
More than a few tears for me. Strange how you can feel so strongly for just things.
Lovely doc. One thing you missed, the legacy. For decades the wood panelling of one of her saloons formed the interior of the Mauretania wine bar in British town of Bristol. The exterior had a large flashing neon picture of the ship. Not far away a glass cupola from the ship was installed in the ceiling of a shopping arcade which later became a large drinking hall in the Wetherspoons chain I dont suppose many people had any idea what was over their heads.
There had been "talk" that either the British or surprisingly Italian Governments buying not only Mauritania, but both Aquitania and Olympic as well. Using the trio as troopships, though nothing came of that idea/plan and they were all sadly scrapped. Though the Second World War saved Aquitania for the duration being chartered by the Canadian Government under contract as a Troopship. She lasted until 1950 having served the 5 years after the war transporting mainly Canadian Servicemen home. On her final withdrawal the Chairman of Cunard White Star Line remarked that it was pretty well the saddest day of his "business life" having condemned her and seeing her sail for the last time, to the scrapyard. Case of so near, yet, so far preservation wise for the last of the "classic" British 4 funnel liners.........
@peteacher52
2 жыл бұрын
Canadian government? Interesting then, that my NZ father was taken from Wellington to Egypt aboard the Aquitania along with hundreds of other troops, calling in to Melbourne on the way for more men. At war's end, same ship home again.
@judydenver5362
Жыл бұрын
She served alot around Australia, I heard a Ship fan say, she carried his family to relocate to Melbourne, Australia.
2 years ago I was in Ierland with my parents and we visited the lusitania memorial and museum and it was incredible thank you for sharing the story of the lusitania I was with in a few kilometers of her grave and we also visited Queenstown (cobh) were the titanic picked up her last passengers on her maiden voyage that's was the only time I was so close to her
19:12 two legends go to eternal rest 😢😢😢😢😢☹️☹️☹️☹️🙁
@notalemon2899
2 жыл бұрын
Sorry to be rude but the timing of it was 1912, titanic vibes
OMG YOU INCLUDED TURBINIA its quite cute but FASSST
These are my favorite ships I’m gonna love this
@heatherchandler724
3 жыл бұрын
Same lol
When I read about her on Wikipedia & her being scrapped, I actually cried. I understand times were tough but she could have been saved. It would be so neat to see what these ship looked like in person & compared to current cruise ships. And current cruise ships, the passengers aren't excited about the voyage, taking time to relax. It's rush here & there & do this & do that & don't appreciate the work that went into putting her together.
Mauretania taking her own speed record reminds me of the Obama giving himself a medal meme format
@heyitshuttz3705
3 жыл бұрын
true
@Lunarpollo5622
3 жыл бұрын
😂
@shelty3178
2 жыл бұрын
Yea, lol
@c.f.pedraza4057
2 жыл бұрын
Mauretania deserved it though. Huge difference.
@SymphonyBrahms
2 жыл бұрын
Trump gave himself medals every day. Mostly for sleeping with porno stars.
I made my history project that I just finished today about the RMS Lusitania. I just want to say thank you so much for creating these high-quality videos, because this seriously helped me gather information about the Lusitania, its history, and its sinking. You're doing some really good work with this channel.
3:10 No way I have this exact metal plate poster on my wall. Found it at a dollar store 18 years ago
That picture of Mauritania and Olympic waiting to be scrapped..... they should have preserved both ships.
I love these ships! I'm always looking for new facts on them. thanks for making this
As much as I love The Olympic and Imperator Class Liners These two greyhounds are certainly not far behind for me.
Your documentaries are both precise and superior. They are the best among all of them in KZread. Greetings from Brazil.
An excellent video I learned something new and reveled in a subject that holds no end of fascination for me. Thank you.
Finally, my favorate oceanliner twins!
@Major_Bomber187
3 жыл бұрын
Same
Thank you for a straight forward, no nonsense informational video.
It's striking how tall the funnels look on both ships in relation to the superstructure. Testament to how much the size of ships grew exponentially in just a few years after Lusitania and Mauretania, and made their funnels look more in proportion.
Thanks so much for what you do!! Enjoyed every second of it!!
Mauretania is one of my favourite Ocean liners, She wasn't just a ship She was God's ship.
@kellykimble665
2 жыл бұрын
Most prefer Lusitania over Mauretania, but I prefer the latter. Her unique bridge and durability shows how special she was.
These are top docos. Recently found them. Well researched, excellently narrated and great footage. Many thanks. A real bonus not to have infuriating music in the background ( for many documentaries it is in the foreground )
Isn't it weird that we can experience grief and sadness over machines that ceased to exist almost 100 years ago? The era of ocean-liners was definitely one of the most interesting and intriguing eras in the history of human travel. These ships were so beautiful and compared to modern cruise-liners and had a certain uniqueness and style to them that you simply don't experience on modern-day cruise-ships. I wonder if and when cruises become a thing of the past we'll look back at these ships the same way we look at ocean-liners now or if they'll forever be remembered as floating-hotel-cities
@connorpusey5912
3 жыл бұрын
If cruising does die off, I’m sure we’ll look at the ships the same way. And probably in an even more pronounced way. Hindsight is 20/20. I’m sure we will be fond of them and what they offered to us, but definitely their floating condominium/resort nature will stand out as a novelty, maybe even seem ridiculous to some but in an endearing way.
@jackthorton10
3 жыл бұрын
They are floating cities on the gleam of the ocean
High quality and easy to follow! Thank you!
Very good! What an informative and interesting video! Keep up the great work!
One of the best KZread videos I've come across on both ships. There was a lot of information here totally new to me. Thank you.
Bro! I always look forward to your videos. To few but always worth the wait! ❤️
Awesome work yet again man! most underrated in your genre.
Thank you for these!
When the "Turbinia" reminds me of the ship from Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro
Incredible video mate! Best one yet.
Hype! Hype! Hype! Keep it up TGBM your videos are incredibly informative and overall wonderful to watch.
Excellent video. I never did think of Rostron's post Carpathia career, but it makes sense he'd have worked on the Mauretania as well.
@TheGreatBigMove
3 жыл бұрын
I might be doing a video on his entire career in the future. It's pretty interesting, I think.
@concept5631
2 жыл бұрын
You have value and are worth it.
@judydenver5362
Жыл бұрын
@@TheGreatBigMove We would LOVE THIS!!!! This man and his love and compassion for the Ocean Liners is unmatched!!!!!!!
Thanks dude. I appreciate it. Enjoyed the video
Mauretania, the ship way less luxurious than the Titanic, but at least she didn't sink in few days.
@mr.juniii5523
3 жыл бұрын
Its like 1 times less luxurious but faster than the olympic class in a speed of 26 knots
@onenl.1
3 жыл бұрын
But we have RMS Olympic
Stunning,thank you!
by far the best channel on steamers out there great job every video is great keep it up cant wait for more 👍🏼👍🏼
Yours is the best and most informative channel,on ships. I learn new things I have never heard else where. Great research.
Honestly, I love your videos. They're always amazing when I come home from a long hard day of school. And I sit down and I watch these videos. And it makes me feel amazing to learn more and more about these great ships. Because I have always loved ocean liners and cruise ships
I Really love this channel, This is very informative 👍
Arthur Rostron was Captain of the RMS Carpathia when she rescued the survivors of the RMS Titanic that fateful night.
I remember watching the premier of the video! It was exiting but I still watch it sometimes! That is a great video!
Firstly, was just watching Titanic’s videos then Olympic Britannic and now i’m a new subscriber to this channel being fully fascinated with this ships i never even heard before. Just wow! 🤍 keep it coming
Excellent content! Many thanks.
Lusitania was definitely the prettier of the two vessels. Not only did those hinge-top vents make a much cleaner deck, her bridge area had a sleeker and better-proportioned look. The airier interiors were more beautiful as well.
@TheGreatBigMove
2 жыл бұрын
I'd have to agree. I much prefer Lusitania.
Sorry it took me so long to watch this! (I must admit, I’ve never been too good with long videos!) This was a brilliant video! 🥰 There was so much I didn’t know about this class(Mauretania and Lusitania having vibration in opposite areas to eachother and Mauretania not requiring as much modification for that as her sister, as well as the stern shapes for example!) in this video as well as history! I think I’ll be coming back to this video again, for reference or just for fun! 🥰
i found yet another gem of a channel
TGBM,, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I LEARNED SO MUCH ,, I WANTED TO FIND A VIDEO ON BOTH OF THESE SHIPS OR 3 OF THESE SHIPS .. THANKS AGAIN..
Great video,I have a real haunting photo of the R.M.S. Mauretania passing Flamborough Head on the East Coast of Yorkshire England on the 2nd of July 1935 on her way to Rosyth for scrapping.She was under the command of Captain A.T. Brown and he was her master for her final voyage only . When passing his home town of Scarborough at 10 am he paused for a while in the South Bay .When ships of this era went for scrapping they chopped both the forward & aft masts in half. Thank you for sharing.
My two favourite Ocean Liners.
@jamesbugbee6812
2 жыл бұрын
Me too; Lucy's leaner look offset by Mauretania's greater success
Another great episode .
Love the videos!
“Tumblehome” !! Thanks for that and another informative and entertaining production. Well done.
@TheGreatBigMove
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you, Ed! Glad you enjoyed it.
Awesome videos! I just love your storytelling ability, it is both filled with little-known facts, and engaging entertainment, and excitement!! And ...wonderful photos and videos, if available of the ships!!! Have you ever done a video, on that nurse, her story, of surviving Titanic, Brittanic sinkings, and served on The Olympic, as well; and didn't she survive one other sinking??? Not sure. Would love to see that done, in your style of storytelling!!!
Great to see Turbinia there - those photos are of her in a museum in my home city, Newcastle. The museum also has some Mauretania memorabilia there too, including the "E" from the name on her bow
You go so in depth with these videos and it pays off and it's very much appreciated I'm happy to say I subscribed a while back.. it's a shame you don't have more subscribers, but I have a feeling that'll change one day.. Keep up the good work.. 💯🔥
@TheGreatBigMove
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you! I’m very happy with the channel’s growth so far but it’s getting bigger.
Great video I've been waiting for this for a while!
6 degrees of separation; my G-Grandmother’s sister sailed from Denmark to America on the Lusitania in 1910 where her husband died in route at Liverpool. He was taken back to Denmark for burial, she continued onto America.
Very informative and excellent video! I didn't realise until watching this that Mauretania had a close call with a torpedo! I almost didn't exist!
You should explain how triple expansion steam engines work ! They’re so fascinating. Love the videos dude !
@TheGreatBigMove
3 жыл бұрын
Great suggestion! I intend to do something like that at some point in the future.
@AndyProper
3 жыл бұрын
@@TheGreatBigMove that’d be an awesome video !
Saw it, got excited,realised it's still a good hour and a bit away. Still gonna wait 🤣
My good man, you are doing better videos as you go on... Very informative.
@TheGreatBigMove
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks, Mike!
Well done!
Greatgreat Video
It's truly sad that thes amazing giant ships were scrapped . If they only knew that 70-100 years later these ships would be so popular as tourist/ historic hotels many would still be in use.
Another excellent video!!
@TheGreatBigMove
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks, Randy!
Love your Liner videos!!!!
@TheGreatBigMove
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
It breaks my heart that these ships were scrapped. I would love to tour these liners like the QM. That FDR quote brought tears to my eyes.
@judydenver5362
Жыл бұрын
yes it did, me too. I am going to put that on my wall, with my Ship Collections!!!
Loved this video 👌 . Also need one about Aquitania
@TheGreatBigMove
3 жыл бұрын
My very first video is on Aquitania
@GarfieldRex
3 жыл бұрын
@@TheGreatBigMove thank you! Still have much to watch from your awesome channel. Blessings 🙌
The fact that this man goes so far depth to mention Turbinia and Victoria is awesome, this is why I love this channel This is different, but please correct me if I'm wrong, but is Mauritania, Aquaitania, and Berengaria the only Curnard line three ship express?
@thejagotishow
2 жыл бұрын
No, in the 1880s Cunard also had the Umbria, Etruria and Oregon on the Liverpool to New York express service
Superb!
One of my favourite ocean liners!!!
Nicely presented. Made my morning, haha.
@TheGreatBigMove
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks, Matt! Glad you enjoyed it.
The sinking of Lusitania is probably more important than Titanic, but it's the later we make movies about, and Lusitania is largely forgotten.
15:15 hey look its olympic :D
i recently started reading “Dead Wake” by Erik Larson and its *outstanding!*
Two other technical requirements from the Royal Navy included battleship quality hull plating (plating was selected to gun fire to select the most robust steel plating). Also, the rudder and steering gear had to be invulnerable to gun fire. Notice their rudders are completely underwater. Contrast to Olympic class lens whose rudder stem extended well above the waterline leading to the ship's fantail - that would be able to be shot away taking away steering. These were required to obtain the funding being offered at the time.
@TheGreatBigMove
3 жыл бұрын
Good additional information, thank you.
I loved this documentary😍
Amazing vid as always! Would you consider doing a video on the Morro Castle?
@TheGreatBigMove
3 жыл бұрын
Yes!
I love your videos
Beautiful looking sisters. Was a crime that Mauretania (along with Olympic) was scrapped. They should have been saved.
@xThatxGuy
3 жыл бұрын
Ikr
It's amazing how much ships advanced in that short period due to the "arms race" in the liner trade. The lusitania and Mauretania having perhaps more in common with the Kaiser class than the Imperator class just a few years later.
Your my favorite KZreadr I love ships 🚢 and I think you do a great job on them keep up the good work
@FreedomLovingLoyalistOfficial
3 жыл бұрын
I never thought he would grow this big.
@rmstitanicboi7347
3 жыл бұрын
I know
@FreedomLovingLoyalistOfficial
3 жыл бұрын
@@rmstitanicboi7347 When I first saw this channel he was like at 75.
@rmstitanicboi7347
3 жыл бұрын
I joined when he had 34
My Great Aunt Millie was a nurse in WW1 and she sailed back from France in 1919 on the Mauretania... .I was so excited to find out that piece of information. I actually saw the roster. I know very little of my Aunts time over there except for some photos but finding that she sailed back on this ship is really cool.!
Great video, The Great Big Move! I get really excited when I see a new video of yours pop up. You’ve actually rekindled an ocean liner fascination I had when I was a kid but haven’t visited in over twenty years. In the last couple of months, I’ve bought so many books about ships and I just can’t get enough. Keep up the awesome work! 😊 One thing I never get an answer to is are Lusitania, Mauretania and Aquitania sister class ships like Olympic, Titanic and Britannic? If yes, what is their class called? I would expect Lusitania class-because it was first-but I’ve also heard the tern “Grand Trio Class”? Thanks!
@TheGreatBigMove
3 жыл бұрын
I would consider Lusitania and Mauritania to be sisters, although it’s a little more questionable than with other classes. Aquitania is definitely a unique ship with no sisters.
@matt07a74
3 жыл бұрын
@@TheGreatBigMove Thanks! :)
Sooo when will you do a titanic one we would love your new work and all of them congrats
i saw a video on the last minites of the manarch before it was shut down. the words wer: i want to thannk the monarch for evrything it gave us. may it rest in peace. *shuts down the ship* i cryed
I’m still waiting for a video on the Flying Scotsman since it was the first locomotive to go 100mph
Despite an auction to dispose of Mauretania's fittings before scrapping,very little was actually sold,As a result,even the most humble home around Rosyth,her final destination,boasts beautiful oak panelling and ornate furnishings.Workers at the breakers yard were allowed free rein to take whatever they wished.Since liners such as Berengaria were also scrapped there,as well as the next Mauretania a mile away in Inverkeithing,there are hundreds of mini palaces in the area.
The Fastest Liners until the SS Bremen
I envy Kelsey the 747 Pilot, but can you imagine the high you would have being allowed to take something like these or the Queens out to sea. It would be like moving a small country across an ocean, feeling the thrust in the screws.