Cunard Line, RMS Lusitania and RMS Mauretania Liner.

In 1839, Canadian-born Samuel Cunard was awarded the first British transatlantic steamship mail contract. For most of the next 30 years, Cunard held the Blue Riband for the fastest Atlantic voyage. However, in the 1870s Cunard fell behind its rivals, the White Star Line and the Inman Line. in 1902. The British Government provided Cunard with substantial loans and a subsidy to build two superliners needed to retain its competitive position :-

RMS Lusitania built by John Brown and Company of Clydebank, Scotland. She was torpedoed by German U-boat U-20 on 7 May 1915 and sank in eighteen minutes, eight miles (15 km) off the Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland, killing 1,198 of the 1,959 people aboard. The sinking turned public opinion in many countries against Germany, and was instrumental in bringing the United States into World War I. The sinking of the Lusitania was a coup for anti-German sentiment and caused great controversy.


RMS Mauretania (also known as the "Maury") built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson at Wallsend, Tyne and Wear for the British Cunard Line, and launched on 20 September 1906. At the time, she was the largest and fastest ship in the world. Mauretania became a favourite among her passengers. After capturing the Blue Riband for the fastest transatlantic crossing during her 1907 inaugural season, Mauretania held the speed record for twenty-two years.

Beautiful poster print advertising these classic vessels,  printed onto an A3 metal sign.

Weight : 590 grams