Lusitania, Mauretania and Aquitania

[Atlantic1912]

What happened to their lifeboats after their respective careers ended?

[Eric K. Longo]

Hi,

Well, some of Lusitania's surviving boats were sold of (some very cheaply), and at least one or two were displayed until perhaps the 1940's, such as the boat at Broadstairs. The boats from the Mauretania and running mate Aquitania were sold when their fittings were auctioned by Hampton and Sons (1930 and 1950 respectively) and also did not bring remarkable sums.

Best wishes,
Eric

[Atlantic1912]

Hi Eric, I think I remember reading of the Lusitania's that were on display.

Are any still surviving from any of the ships? I once read that only one WSL boat was still in existance, I guess they did not survive because of the merger.

[Eric K. Longo]

Hi Atlantic1912,

I can only speak about the Cunard ships - don't know much about any others. Maybe someone else can answer your question?

Eric

[VW1956]

Hello Eric. You mention that items from these great ships did not sell for much. It shocked me to read that the bell from Olympic sold for 26 guineas or about £27. Just amazing. Ken.

[Atlantic1912]

Hi Eric, I meant the Cunard ships, just commented that the apparent rate of survival for WSL boats was not great.

Hi Ken, It was still considered "scrap", so beyond people who were nostalgic about Olympic no one really would be too interested in spending a large some of money in those days. It was afterall the 1930s and many people were light spenders as a result, and Olympic's furnishings were a little outdated/out of style everything new was "streamlined" to be modern then.

[Michael H. Standart]

From BYM:
UK. Lusitania Memorial Service ; Merseyside Maritime Museum commemoration
See http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=102412

[Eric K. Longo]

Hiya Mike

Thanks for this. Busy months - Hindenburg today. May 7 Lusitania, May 29 E,press, last month Titanic, right before that Triangle fire....goodness.

Eric