RMS Laconia Archival Collection
RMS Laconia of the Cunard Line, 1913. GGA Image ID # 1d643c92c2
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- Laconia (1911) Cunard Line Ship's History (Brief)
- Laconia (1921) Cunard Line Ship's History (Brief)
- Passenger Lists
- Brochures
- Passage Contracts, Tickets, and Receipts
- Immigrant Documents
- Menus
- Programs
- Sailing Schedules
- Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs
- Passage Rates
- Fleet List
- Photographs
- Advertisements
- Books Referencing the RMS Laconia
- Back Cover Images
- RMS Laconia I (1912) Ship History and Information
- Treasure Quest - The Silver Queen - 2009
- Laconia Transports Refugees from the War - 1914
Laconia (1911) Cunard Line
Built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Ltd., Newcastle, England. Tonnage: 18,098. Dimensions: 600' x 71' (625' O.I.). Propulsion: Twin-screw, 17 knots. Quadruple expansion engines. Masts and Funnels: Two masts and two funnels. From keel to top of masts 200 feet; keel to top of deckhouse 90 feet high; height of funnels above grate bars 140 feet. Maiden voyage: Liverpool-New York, January 20, 1912. Service: Transferred to Boston service. Fate: Torpedoed and sunk 160 miles from Fastnet, February 25, 1917, with the loss of 12 lives. Sister ship: Franconia.
Laconia (1921) Cunard Line
Built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Ltd., Newcastle, England. Tonnage: 19,695. Dimensions: 601' x 73' (624' o.l.). Propulsion: Twin-screw, 16 1/2 knots. Six steam turbines. Masts and Funnels: Two masts and one funnel. Passengers: 350 first, 350 second, 1,500 third. Note: First British liner fitted with anti-rolling tanks. Maiden voyage: Southampton-New York, May 25, 1922. Service: Transferred to Liverpool-New York route. WWII Service: Converted to troopship in World War II. Fate: Torpedoed and sunk in South Atlantic, September 12, 1942, while bound from Egypt to England via Cape Town. Heavy loss of life resulted. Sister ships: Samaria and Scythia. Similar to Franconia and Carinthia.
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1912-05-28 SS Laconia Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Second Cabin
Date of Departure: 28 May 1912
Route: Boston to Liverpool via Queenstown (Cobh) and Fishguard
Commander: Captain W. R. D. Irvine
1912-06-11 RMS Laconia Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Saloon
Date of Departure: 11 June 1912
Route: Liverpool to Boston via Queenstown (Cobh)
Commander: Captain W. R. D. Irvine, R.D., R.N.R.
1912-08-06 RMS Laconia Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Saloon
Date of Departure: 6 August 1912
Route: Liverpool to Boston via Queenstown (Cobh)
Commander: Captain W. R. D. Irvine, R.D., R.N.R.
1912-09-03 RMS Laconia Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Second Cabin
Date of Departure: 3 September 1912
Route: Liverpool to Boston
Commander: Captain W. R. D. Irvine, R.D., R.N.R.
1912-10-01 RMS Laconia Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Second Cabin
Date of Departure: 1 October 1912
Route: Liverpool to Boston
Commander: Captain W. H. D. Irvine, R.D., R.N.R.
1913-06-10 RMS Laconia Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: All Classes
Date of Departure: 10 June 1913
Route: Liverpool to Portland, ME and Boston via Queenstown (Cobh)
Commander: Captain W. R. D. Irvine
1914-09-01 RMS Laconia Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Second Cabin
Date of Departure: 1 September 1914
Route: Liverpool to Boston
Commander: W. R. D. Irvine, R.D., R.N.R.
1922-08-24 RMS Laconia Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Saloon and Second Cabin
Date of Departure: 24 August 1922
Route: Liverpool to New York via Queenstown (Cobh)
Commander: Captain W. H. Hossack, R.D., R.N.R
1928-08-18 RMS Laconia Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin
Date of Departure: 18 August 1928
Route: Liverpool to Halifax, Boston, and New York via Cobh
Commander: Captain M. Doyle
1929-08-10 RMS Laconia Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin and Tourist Third Cabin
Date of Departure: 10 August 1929
Route: Liverpool to Boston and New York via Queenstown (Cobh)
Commander: Captain M. Doyle.
1931-05-02 SS Laconia Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin
Date of Departure: 2 May 1931
Route: New York and Boston to Liverpool via Queenstown (Cobh)
Commander: Captain M. Doyle
1935-03-16 RMS Laconia Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Cabin and Tourist Class
Date of Departure: 16 March 1935
Route: Liverpool to Boston and New York via Cobh
Commander: Captain B. B. Oram, R.D., R.N.R.
1937-09-11 RMS Laconia Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Third Class
Date of Departure: 11 September 1937
Route: Liverpool to Boston and New York via Dublin and Galway
Commander: Captain C. H. Bate, R.D., R.N.R.
1938-09-10 RMS Laconia Passenger List
Steamship Line: Cunard Line
Class of Passengers: Tourist Class
Date of Departure: 10 September 1938
Route: Liverpool to Boston and New York via Dublin and Galway
Commander: Captain W. C. Battle, D.S.C., R.D., R.N.R.
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1911 - Franconia and Laconia For The Boston Service
Flyer created by Cunard to announce two new steamships for the Boston service, 18,000 tons each. The ships were of the intermediate class and accommodations described in this flyer pertain primarily to the First Class.
1912 - RMS Franconia and Laconia - Cunard Line
A scarce brochure provides a remarkable record of these two short-lived steamships that brought thousands of immigrants from Liverpool to Boston from 1912 to 1916.
The Laconia was torpedoed and sunk by the German Submarine U-50 on 25 February 1917; and, the Franconia was torpedoed and sunk by German Submarine UB-47 on 4 October 1916.
1913 - Cunard Passenger Log Book
Rare Third-Class Accommodation on Cunard Liners featuring interior and exterior photographs of the ships and accommodations for third class/steerage passengers. Undated brochure circa 1913.
Its contents were meant to entice the immigrants to book passage to the New World.
Ships Featured: Lusitania and Mauretania, Caronia and Carmania, Franconia and Laconia, Campania, Ivernia and Saxonia, and the Ascania.
1914 - Cunard Service to Historic Boston
42-Page Brochure focused primarily on Boston, Massachusetts, with a brief summary of Cunard Line Fleet and Services to Boston. Some photographs of Cunard ships, offices, docks/piers, Boston Landmarks, and a Railroad advertisement. Ships Featured: Britania, Franconia, and Laconia.
1920s Cunard to Liverpool via Cobh (Queenstown)
Superb interior photographs of the Cunard steamships Carinthia, Franconia, Laconia, Samaria, and Scythia makes this an excellent brochure from the 1920s.
The uniqueness of this booklet is greatly improved by the inclusions of context with photo captions.
1920s - Cunard Tourist Third Cabin Accommodations
Tourist Third Cabin replaced the old Third Class on the Cunard Steamships, the refinished accommodations attracted students, professors, young business people, and bargain-hunters filling the cabins left mostly empty from the decline of the immigrant trade.
This is a photo journal of the accommodations found in the new Tourist Third Cabin class. Ships Featured: Andania, Antonia, Aquitania, Ascania, Aurania, Ausonia, Berengaria, Caronia and Carmania, Laconia, Samaria, Scythia, Tuscania, and Lancastria.
Going Abroad via Cunard and Anchor Lines - 1923
Excellent brochure from 1923 provides numerous photographs, the majority interior views of the many steamships in the fleets of the Cunard and Anchor Lines. Ships covered include Albania, Aquitania, Assyria, Berengaria, Cameronia, Carmania, Caronia, Columbia, Franconia, Laconia, Mauretania, Samaria, Saxonia, Scythia, Tuscania, Tyrrhenia, and "A" Class Ships.
Additional features included Cold Buffets, Assorted Staterooms, and a large format Map of "Strange Lands and Foreign Ports Reached by Cunard and Anchor Passenger Services."
1927 - Cunard Line Second Class to Europe
12-Page brochure covers the Boston to Europe route of the Cunard Line in 1927. Interior photographs help to illustrate the second class accommodations available on the Samaria, Scythia, and Laconia.
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SS Laconia Agent's Receipt and Record - 3 June 1912
This is the Agent's Receipt and Record of a Second Cabin Steamship Ticket for an Eastbound voyage on the new Cunard Laconia from Boston to Liverpool, England. The Agency was located in Boston, Cunard Building on 126 State Street.
SS Laconia Agent's Record - 10 August 1912
This is an Agent's Record of a Third Class -Steerage Ticket for one adult and one child from Liverpool, England to New York on the Cunard Steamship SS Laconia. Additional information and conversion to current dollar values is provided.
SS Laconia Agents' Record - 13 May 1913
Third Class Outward Passenger Ticket - Agents' Record for the Cunard RMS Laconia, May 13, 1913. Fare was $35. Ticket along with Agent's record would have been kept in a two-hole extra-long binder.
RMS Laconia Agent's Record - 3 June 1913
Third Class Prepaid Ticket - Agents Record, RMS Laconia 1913 from Liverpool to Boston. Itemized transaction shows fare and commission breakdown. Fare was paid by a third party.
RMS Laconia Passage Contract - 5 June 1913
Ludvig Gjønvik was a Norwegian Immigrant to the United States in June 1913 arriving in Boston on board the RMS Laconia (I) as a passenger in Steerage - Third Class. This is the contract of passage that Ludvig purchased from Olaf H. Solem.
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1913-06-10 Immigrant Inspection Card - Cunard RMS Laconia
Immigrant Inspection Card issued in 1913 by the Cunard Line on board the RMS Laconia to a Norwegian Immigrant traveling in Steerage. The card provided important information including port and date of departure, name of ship, immigrant name, last residence, medical inspection stamps and evidence of immunization.
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1913-10-06 RMS Laconia Private Dinner Party Menu
This is a very rare personalized special embossed menu for E. D. Jordon and Dinner guests aboard the Cunard Line Laconia (I) in October of 1913.
1914-09-08 RMS Laconia Breakfast Menu Card
Breakfast Bill of Fare card from the RMS Laconia on a Westbound voyage from Liverpool to Boston, arriving in Boston on 9 September 1914 featuring Grilled Cod Steaks and Yarmouth Bloaters.
1914-09-08 RMS Laconia Dinner Menu Card
This is a dinner Bill of Fare card from the steamship Laconia on a Westbound voyage from Liverpool to Boston, arriving in Boston on 8 September 1914. Although not specifically stated, this would have been the Farewell Dinner.
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1930s - Horse Racing Program - RMS Laconia
Hilarious Horse Racing Program dating from the 1930s performed on the deck of the RMS Laconia of the Cunard White Star Line. Entries included Eve by Rib out of Adam, Jealousy by Nose out of Joint, Stampede by Sale out of Basement, etc.
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Cunard New York-Mediterranean-Egyptian-Adriatic Service. Sailing Schedule Covering October 1911 to March 1912. Ships Include the Carmania, Caronia, Franconia, and Laconia. GGA Image ID # 1db73b9c0e
Proposed Sailings, Liverpool-New York Service, Liverpool-Boston Service, and Hungarian-American Service from 2 March 1912 to 6 August 1912. Ships Include the Campania, Carmania, Caronia, Carpathia, Franconia, Ivernia, Laconia, Lusitania, Mauretania, Pannonia, and Saxonia. RMS Caronia Passenger List, 30 March 1912. GGA Image ID # 1dc9e8927c
Cunard Liverpool-Boston Service Sailing Schedule from 28 May 1912 to 26 October 1912. Ships Include the Franconia and Lanconia. GGA Image ID # 1dbc58d184
Cunard New York-Mediterranean-Egyptian-Adriatic Service Sailing Schedule from 9 November 1912 to 15 March 1913. Ships Include the Caronia, Franconia, and Laconia. GGA Image ID # 1dbc775b0f
Cunard Hungarian-American Service Sailing Schedule from 2 May 1912 to 16 October 1912. Ships Include the Carpathia, Ivernia, Pannonia, and Saxonia. MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE.—On the 15th February. 1913. the new Twin-Screw Steamer Laconia " will sail from New York to the Mediterranean under charter to Mr. F. C Clark. Full particulars will be announced later. GGA Image ID # 1dbc920ba4
Proposed Sailings Liverpool-New York Service, Liverpool-Boston Service, and Hungarian-American Service from 9 November 1912 to 11 March 1913. Ships Include Campania, Carmania, Caronia, Carpathia, Franconia, Ivernia, Laconia, Lusitania, Mauretania, Pannonia, Saxonia, and Ultonia. SS Carmania Passenger List, 23 November 1912. GGA Image ID # 1dc95f6c98
Cunard Liverpool-Boston Service from 2 September 1913 to 21 April 1914. Ships Included the Alaunia, Andania, Francoia, Ivernia, Laconia, and Ultonia. RMS Carmania Passenger List, 23 September 1913. GGA Image ID # 1dcaaf02a5
Sailing Schedule, New York - Liverpool Service, from 7 April 1914 to 6 January 1915. Ships Included the Aquitania, Campania, Carmania, Caronia, Franconia, Laconia, Lusitania, and Mauretania. Cunard Line Services 1914 Broncure. GGA Image ID # 1f79a02dae. Click for Larger Image.
Sailing Schedule, Boston-Queenstown (Cobh)-Liverpool Service, from 28 April 1914 to 27 October 1914. Ships Included the Carmania, Caronia, Franconia, and Laconia. Cunard Line Services 1914 Brochure. GGA Image ID # 1f7a3a12bf
Sailing Schedule, Liverpool-Queenstown (Cobh)-New York, from 3 August 1922 to 4 November 1922. Ships Included the Carmania, Caronia, Laconia, Samaria, Scythia and Tyrrhenia. RMS Laconia Passenger List, 24 August 1922. GGA Image ID # 1e9b4c4a8c
Sailing Schedule, Liverpool-Queenstown (Cobh)-Boston and Hamburg-Southampton-New York, from 6 September 1923 to 8 December 1923. Ships Included the Ausonia, Carmania, Franconia, Laconia, Samaria, Scythia, and Tyrrhenia. RMS Berengaria Passenger List, 15 September 1923. GGA Image ID # 215c4759f6
Sailing Schedule, Southampton-Cherbourg-New York, from 8 September 1923 to 25 March 1924. Ships Included the Aquitania, Berengaria, Laconia, Mauretania, Saxonia, and Tyrrhenia. RMS Berengaria Passenger List, 15 September 1923. GGA Image ID # 20aa911fd7
Sailing Schedule, Southampton-Cherbourg-New York, from 13 October 1923 to 25 March 1924. Ships Included the Albania, Andania, Antonia, Aquitania, Ausonia, Berengaria, Laconia, Mauretania, Saxonia, and Tyrrhenia. RMS Samaria Passenger List, 22 October 1923. GGA Image ID # 1f19fa1211
Sailing Schedule, Liverpool-Queenstown (Cobh)-New York and Liverpool-Queenstown (Cobh)-Boston, from 6 October 1923 to 29 March 1924. Ships Included the Albania, Ausonia, Cameronia, Carmania, Caronia, Franconia, Laconia, Samaria, Scythia, and Tyrrhenia. RMS Samaria Passenger List, 22 October 1923. GGA Image ID # 1f18c82ce2
Sailing Schedule, Hamburg-London-Southampton-New York and New York-Plymouth-Cherbourg-London-Hamburg, from 13 October 1923 to 29 March 1924. Ships Included the Albania, Andania, Antonia, Ausonia, Laconia, Saxonia, and Tyrrhenia. RMS Samaria Passenger List, 22 October 1923. GGA Image ID # 1f19beaa99
Eastbound Sailing Schedule from the US and Canadian Ports to European Ports, from 18 June 1924 to 3 September 1924. Ships Included the Albania, Andania, Antonia, Aquitania, Assyria, Athenia, Ausonia, Berengaria, California, Cameronia, Carmania, Caronia, Cassandra, Columbia, Franconia, Laconia, Lancastria, Mauretania, Samaria, Saturnia, Saxonia, Scythia, and Tuscania. RMS Aquitania Second Class Passenger List, 18 June 1924. GGA Image ID # 20aea275f3
Westbound Sailing Schedule, from European Ports to Canadian and US Ports, from 19 June 1924 to 26 August 1924. Ships Included the Albania, Andania, Antonia, Aquitania, Assyria, Athenia, Ausonia, Berengaria, California, Cameronia, Carmania, Caronia, Cassandra, Columbia, Franconia, Laconia, Lancastria, Mauretania, Samaria, Saturnia, Saxonia, Scythia, and Tuscania. RMS Aquitania Second Class Passenger List, 18 June 1924. GGA Image ID # 20aeac371f
Sailing Schedule, Liverpool-Queenstown (Cobh)-New York or Boston, from 3 May 1924 to 8 November 1924. Ships Included the California, Carmania, Franconia, Laconia, Lancastria, Samaria, and Scythia. RMS Berengaria Passenger List, 24 May 1924. GGA Image ID # 20ab23f68e
Cunard Line Canadian Service, Liverpool-Canadian Ports, or Southampton to Canadian Ports, from 7 August 1925 to 28 January 1926. Ships Included the Alaunia, Andania, Antonia, Ascania, Athenia, Aurania, Ausonia, Laconia, and Letitia. RMS Alaunia Passenger List, 21 August 1925. GGA Image ID # 1dff527901
Proposed Sailings, Cunard Line, Liverpool-Queenstown (Cobh)-New York, and Liverpool-Queenstown (Cobh)-Boston, from 8 August 1925 to 6 February 1926. Ships Included the Alaunia, Aurania, Carinthia, Carmania, Franconia, Laconia, Samaria, and Scythia. RMS Alaunia Passenger List, 21 August 1925. GGA Image ID # 1dff443705
Sailing Schedule, Liverpool, Cobh (Queenstown)-New York-Boston, from 12 November 1927 to 29 April 1928. Ships Included the Andania, Aurania, Carinthia, Carmania, Caronia, Franconia, Laconia, Samaria, and Scythia. RMS Aquitania Passenger List, 26 November 1927. GGA Image ID # 1e119dff3d
Westbound Sailings of the White Star Line from 6 October 1934 to 2 February 1935. Ships Included the Alaunia, Antonia, Aquitania, Ascania, Athenia, Aurania, Ausonia, Berengaria, Britannic, Carinthia, Franconia, Georgic, Laconia, Lancastria, Laurentic, Letitia, Majestic, Olympic, Samaria, Scythia, and Transylvania. The Schedule Includes Originating, Calling, and Destination Ports for Each Voyage. RMS Britannic Passenger List, 6 October 1934. GGA Image ID # 1e3159e0ee
Eastbound Sailings of the White Star Line from 6 October 1934 to 14 February 1935. Ships Included the Alaunia, Antonia, Aquitania, Ascania, Athenia, Aurania, Ausonia, Berengaria, Britannic, Carinthia, Doric, Franconia, Georgic, Laconia, Lancastria, Laurentic, Letitia, Majestic, Olympic, Samaria, Scythia, and Transylvania. The Schedule Includes Originating, Calling, and Destination Ports for Each Voyage. RMS Britannic Passenger List, 6 October 1934. GGA Image ID # 1e3178f51a
Westbound Sailing Schedule, from Liverpool or Southampton to Boston, New York, Québec, or Montréal via Belfast, Cherbourg, Greenock, Galway, or Le Havre, from 24 July 1924 to 7 October 1924. Ships Included the Alaunia, Andania, Antonia, Aquitania, Ascania, Athenia, Aurania, Ausonia, Berengaria, Britannic, Carinthia, Georgic, Laconia, Letitia, Queen Mary, Samaria, and Scythia. RMS Samaria Passenger List, 24 July 1936. GGA Image ID # 1eccbb8952
Eastbound Sailing Schedule, from Boston, New York, Québec, or Montréal to Glasgow, Liverpool, London, or Soutampton via Belfast, Cherbourg, Cobh, Galway, Greenock, Le Havre, or Plymouth, from 24 July 1936 to 7 October 1936. Ships Included the Alaunia, Andania, Antonia, Aquitania, Ascania, Athenia, Aurania, Ausonia, Berengaria, Britannic, Carinthia, Georgic, Laconia, Letitia, Queen Mary, Samaria, and Scythia. RMS Samaria Passenger List, 24 July 1936. GGA Image ID # 1ecd389488
Westbound Sailing Schedule, Cunard White Star Vessels, from 28 July 1937 to 6 October 1937. Ships Included the Alaunia, Andania, Antonia, Ascania, Athenia, Aquitania, Aurania, Ausonia, Berengaria, Britannic, Franconia, Georgic, Laconia, Letitia, Queen Mary, Samaria, and Scythia. RMS Aquitania Cabin Class Passenger List, 28 July 1937. GGA Image ID # 20bfda234f
Eastbound Sailing Schedule, Cunard White Star Vessels, from 28 July 1937 to 6 October 1937. Ships Included the Alaunia, Andania, Antonia, Ascania, Athenia, Aquitania, Aurania, Ausonia, Berengaria, Britannic, Franconia, Georgic, Laconia, Letitia, Queen Mary, Samaria, and Scythia. RMS Aquitania Cabin Class Passenger List, 28 July 1937. GGA Image ID # 20bfdeea90
Cunard White Star Westbound Sailing Schedule for September to November 1937. Ships Include the Alaunia, Andania, Antonia, Aquitania, Ascania, Athenia, Aurania, Ausonia, Berengaria, Britannic, Franconia, Georgic, Laconia, Letitia, Queen Mary, Samaria, and Scythia. GGA Image ID # 1db7e0cf97
Cunard White Star Eastbound Sailing Schedule for September to November 1937. Ships Include the Alaunia, Andania, Antonia, Aquitania, Ascania, Athenia, Aurania, Ausonia, Berengaria, Britannic, Franconia, Georgic, Laconia, Letitia, Queen Mary, Samaria, and Scythia. GGA Image ID # 1db80746e8
Westbound Sailing Schedule from 7 June 1939 to 16 August 1939. Ships Included the Alaunia, Andania, Antonia, Ascania, Athenia, Aquitania, Aurania, Ausonia, Britannic, Carinthia, Franconia, Georgic, Laconia, Letitia, Mauretania, Queen Mary, Samaria, and Scythia. RMS Aquitania Passenger List, 7 June 1939. GGA Image ID # 1e141a92c5
Eastbound Sailing Schedule from 7 June 1939 to 16 August 1939. Ships Included the Alaunia, Andania, Antonia, Aquitania, Ascania, Athenia, Aurania, Ausonia, Britannic, Carinthia, Georgic, Laconia, Letitia, Mauretania, Queen Mary, Samaria, and Scythia. RMS Aquitania Passenger List, 7 June 1939. GGA Image ID # 1e1424c50b
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Abstract of Log of the Cunard Royal Mail Steamship Laconia From Boston to Liverpool, 22 July 1913. Passage: 6 Days, 22 Hours, 42 Minutes. Average Speed: 16.77 Knots. Commander: W. R. D. Irvine, RD, RNR. GGA Image ID # 1d644c296a
Abstract of Log, Cunard RMS Laconia, Liverpool to New York via Queenstown (Cobh), 15 January 1927. Passage: 7 Days, 14 Hours, 39 Minutes. Average Speed: 15.53 Knots. Commander: Captain E. T. Britten, R.D., R.N.R. GGA Image ID # 1e9a9b3262
Cunard Atlantic Track Chart, RMS Laconia, 1929. GGA Image ID # 1dbc9634f6
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Minimum Rates of Passage, First Class, Second Cabin, or Third Class. Ships Included the Aquitania, Lusitania, Maruetania, Campania, Caronia, Carmania, Franconia, Laconia, Ivernia, Saxonia, Andania, Alaunia, Ascania, Ultonia, Ausonia, Carpathia, and Pannonia. Cunard Line Services 1914 Brochure. GGA Image ID # 1f7949ddf9
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Cunard Line Atlantic Services and Fleet List with Tonnage and Assigned Commanders, 1911. Ships Included the Albania, Aquitania, Ascania, Ausonia, Campania, Carmania, Caronia, Carpathia, Franconia, Ivernia, Laconia, Lusitania, Mauretania, Pannonia, Saxonia, and Ultonia. RMS Franconia Passenger List, 8 August 1911. GGA Image ID # 1e8030fb50
Cunard Line Atlantic Services and Fleet List with Tonnage and Assigned Commanders, 1912. Ships Include the Alaunia, Albania, Andania, Aquitania, Ascania, Ausonia, Campania, Carmania, Caronia, Carpathia, Franconia, Ivernia, Laconia, Lusitania, Mauretania, Pannonia, Saxonia, and Ultonia. RMS Caronia Passenger List, 30 March 1912. GGA Image ID # 1dc9ece700
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Laconia at Liverpool Landing Station, Mersey, 1912. GGA Image ID # 1e9b991c22
The RMS Laconia at Full Steam on a Transatlantic Voyage circa 1912. GGA Image ID # 174b446323
RMS Laconia at New York Harbor, 1912. GGA Image ID # 1e9b9d38c3
Photo of the Sweet Party At the Boston Pier (May 3, 1931). GGA Image ID # 174c266ca5
President George W. SWEET of the Studebaker Sales Company of Boston, with his wife and his mother, Mrs. John R. Sweet, on board the SS Laconia as they left Boston on May 3, 1931 for a two month tour of the continent. Mr. Sweet has taken along a Studebaker "President," which he will drive while abroad. GGA Image ID # 1dba3af5ff
George W. Sweet Viewing his Studebaker "President" being Loaded into Cargo Hold of SS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 174c43ef8a
Painting of RMS Laconia, Cunard Line RMS Laconia Tourist Class Passenger List - 10 September 1938. GGA Image ID # 16d58f79e3
Photo Collage of the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 11956befda
Photo Captions (Left)
- Verandah Café
- The Lounge
- Conrer of Dining Saloon
- Two Berth Room
Photo Captions (Right)
- First Class Dining Saloon
- Gymnasium
- First Class Library and Writing Room
- First Class Writing Room
First Class Smoking Room on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia Showing Elliptical Bay Window. GGA Image ID # 1195825755
The Cunard New Twin-Screw Steamers RMS Franconia and Laconia. GGA Image ID # 1183677732
Corridor on "A" Deck on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 1183efefd2
Entrance Hall and Staircase on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 1184c26f1e
First Class Library and Writing Room on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 118525319a
The First Class Lounge on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 11853b6cb8
Smoking Room in First Class Showing Eliptical Bay Window on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 11853d202a
The Gymnasium on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 118552199c
Fireplace in the Writing Room on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 11858c9e17
The Verandah Café on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 1185c0bbd6
First Class Dining Saloon on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 118606fd9f
A First Class Stateroom on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 118622c8a1
First Class Coverred Promenade Deck on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 1186437035
Passengers Enjoy The Gymnasium on the Franconia and Laconia. GGA Image ID # 1186a516e4
First Class Smoking Room Showing Fireplace on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 1186d13c69
First Class Two-Berth Room on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 11870eb11b
Second Cabin Four-Berth Room on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 1187e1ea1b
Second Cabin Drawing Room on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 11871734ba
Second Cabin Dining Saloon on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 11872db866
Second Cabin Stateroom on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 1187e89549
Second Cabin Covered Promenade on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 1187efd3ec
Third Class / Steerage Four-Berth Room on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 118805de77
Third Class / Steerage Dining Room on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 11885a4643
Third Class / Steerage Ladies' Room on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 11887657af
RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia Chef's Office Where the Head Chef Reviews Food Inventories and Prepares the Daily Menu. GGA Image ID # 1188a9dd06
The Dispensary or Pharmacy on board the Laconia. GGA Image ID # 1188ca8859
A Corner of the Kitchen / Galley on the RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 1188ef92f2
The Marconi Wireless Room on RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia. GGA Image ID # 11890572d2
RMS Franconia and RMS Laconia Engine Room - Dynamos and Switchboard. GGA Image ID # 11896fc60b
RMS Franconia and Laconia - The Largest and Most Modern Steamers in the Boston Service. GGA Image ID # 118de74245
Third Class Ladies' Room on the Franconia and Laconia. GGA Image ID # 118e35fe47
A Boston Cunarder - Franconia or Laconia. GGA Image ID # 127701f0f7
A Smoke Room with Inglenooks on the Laconia. GGA Image ID # 117b9de6f5
The Laconia Smoke Room. GGA Image ID # 117ba77d2d
The Laconia Outdoor Cafe. GGA Image ID # 117bbc1277
The Laconia Lounge. GGA Image ID # 117c17f870
The Laconia Writing Room. GGA Image ID # 117cc1cc4e
Tourist Third Cabin Smoking Room on the Laconia. GGA Image ID # 11926d7ec0
Tourist Third Cabin Four-Berth Room on the Laconia. GGA Image ID # 1192de20dc
The RMS Laconia of the Cunard Line. Length: 620 Feet; Tonnage: 20,000. Going Abroad, 1923. GGA Image ID # 1bc74dcaad
The Smoking Room on the Laconia, with Its Wide Brick Fireplace, Its Paneled Oak Walls, and Its Beautiful, Dignified Furniture, Is the Essence of Hospitality and Cheer. Going Abroad, 1923. GGA Image ID # 1bc77d8e2d
Though the Lounge on the Laconia Is a Room of Great Size and Splendor, It Is Especially Attractive for Its Perfection of Detail. The Exquisite Petit Point Tapestry of the Chairs Is One Example of This Care. Going Abroad, 1923. GGA Image ID # 1bc7906574
Twin Beds Make This Stateroom as Comfortable as Your Own Room at Home, and the Tasteful Accessories, the Good Prints on the Walls, Add to This Feeling of Charm, on the Scythia, Samaria, and Laconia. Going Abroad, 1923. GGA Image ID # 1bd1661a6f
RMS Laconia Passing Through Culebra Cut. Culebra, Now Called Gaillard Cut, Where a Whole Mountain Was Cut In Half to Let the Water Pass, Is One of the Great Marvels of That Modern Miracle, the Panama Canal. Photo by Welsh. The Cunarder, November 1924. GGA Image ID # 1e9bd6bc46
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Black & White Photograph Adorns This Postcard of the RMS Laconia of the Cunard Line. WHS PC # S 11781 Published by Kingway Real Photo Series, Postally Used 30 October 1913. Front Side GGA Image ID # 15c0ebe057
Color Painting of the Cunard RMS Franconia & Laconia, Both in the Liverpool-Boston Route. nd. Circa 1911. Postally Unused. Front Side GGA Image ID # 15c1421efb
RMS Laconia Leaves Liverpool Landing Stage, 1912. GGA Image ID # 1e9b54f9e0
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Delightful Winter Cruises to Madeira, Algiers, The Riviera, Italy, Egypt and the Adriatic. Sailing Dates Season 1914-1915. Ships Included the Caronia, Franconia, and Laconia. GA Image ID # 1f783a83d0G
Advertisement: Cunard Anchor Lines, Power, Stability, Comfort, Luxury in 1923 -- The New 20,000 Ton Cunarders Scythia, Laconia, Samaria, Franconia, and the Anchor Liners Cameronia and Tuscania. These Steamers--Running in Conjuction with the Renowned Caronia and Carmania--Offer Travel Opportunites Unexcelled in the History of Shipping. The World's Fastest Passenger Service, Weekly to Cherbourg and Southampton by the Aquitania, Mauretania, and Berengaria. Ocean Records, May 1923. GGA Image ID # 1e687406f0
Advertisement: World Cruise 1932 on the Franconia (139 Days from $375) and Spring Cruises 1932 on the Laconia. RMS Mauretania Tourist Third Cabin Passenger List, 1 August 1931. GGA Image ID # 2119e969d6
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Classic Ocean Liners, Volume 1: Berengaria, Leviathan, & Majestic
An absorbing and detailed account of the three ships: Berengaria, Leviathan, & Majestic, 50,000-ton dinosaurs of the transatlantic lines in the years before World War I.
Cunard -- few names in the maritime industry are more redolent of the great days of ocean-going passenger liners and cruise ships. This book recalls the era when ocean travel by liner was at its height and the 'Queens' ruled the waves with page after page of beautiful photographs that tell its story. Glory Days: Cunard provides a vivid reminder of the lost grandeur of ocean travel.
The Cunard Line: A Pictorial History 1840-1990
An Illustrated History of the Cunard Line and the celebrated liners which have served the Fleet, from its Inception in 1840 to the demise of the great transatlantic liners and finally the entry into service of the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2, Britain's last great luxury liner.
Distinguished Liners from The Shipbuilder - 1907-1914 Volume 2
Distinguished Liners, Volume 2 features 53 famous ships from 1907-1914. Read how the liners were constructed and launched. Lavishly illustrated, each carries many photographs, including the ships, their interiors, machinery, fittings, construction, and launching.
Era of the Passenger Liner - 1992
The Gilded Era comes back to life as the reader relives the careers of stately ships and express greyhounds from immigrant ships to floating palaces. Scarce, large format book containing 288pp. Features photographs, statistics, and background of 280 passenger liners, each with a picture.
The First Great Ocean Liners in Photographs - 1983
Sumptuous volume recalls the glorious early years of elegant transatlantic travel. Over 190 historic photographs depict exterior and interior views of 101 great ocean liners, including the Virginian, Imperator, Vaterland, Bismarck, Lusitania, Mauretania, Balmoral Castle, Titanic, Olympic, Aquitania and dozens more. Full captions.
Great Passenger Ships of the World 1858-1912
This initial volume deals with Ships from 1858-1912, from the first passenger ship of over 10,000 GRT to be placed in service (the Great Eastern) to those unforgettable sister ships, the Olympic and Titanic — the first of more than 40,000 GRT.
Great Passenger Ships of the World 1913-1923
The period 1913-1923 is dealt with in this second volume. Although it was only a decade, it was one of the most turbulent passenger ships in history. Competition to produce ever-larger vessels declined between leading North Atlantic shipping companies. For 20 years, the ships of the Imperator Class were the largest in the world.
Leviathan: "The World's Greatest Ship" Volume 1
The first volume takes us from the construction of the VATERLAND to the end of World War One when the VATERLAND, now the U.S.S Leviathan, was used as a troop transport and packed with fabulous photographs and reproductions of newspaper articles.
North Atlantic Passenger Liners Since 1900
Material about the most prominent steamship companies on the Atlantic Ferry today and those that have been there for some time. Some Lines have diverse services to other oceans, seas, and continents.
This book recreates the ambiance of the ocean linereraby showing the actual objects used on board. Each piece of ocean-liner memorabilia is like an aladdin's lamp, releasing wondrous memories of that grand style of travel.
Ocean Steamers: A History of Ocean-Going Passenger Steamships 1820-1970
A history of the steam-powered passenger ship that details its story from the SS Savannah of 1819 to the SS Hamburg of 1969. It contains historical details of all civilian vessels built in the intervening years, with numerous illustrations and previously unpublished material.
Passenger Liners of the World Since 1893
The author here takes a nostalgic look back to the heyday of the passenger ship, providing a brief history of 211 ships of over 10,000 tons, together with specifications and technical details of each.
Passenger Ships of the World - 1963
Passenger Ships of the World, 1963, represents an incredible resource covering passenger ships that are Trans-Atlantic, Trans-Pacific, Trans-Pacific via Panama Canal, Latin American, Africa and the Eastern Oceans, and California-Hawaii.
Pictorial Encyclopedia of Ocean Liners, 1860-1994
One of the most comprehensive pictorial references on ocean liners ever published, this superb chronicle by noted maritime historian William H. Miller, Jr., depicts and describes virtually every passenger ship of over 15,000 tons built between 1860 and the late 1900s.
Picture History of British Ocean Liners: 1900 to the Present
Over 200 rare black-and-white illustrations provide views of the ships at sea and in port, glimpses of lavish staterooms, lounges, dining areas, onboard photos of celebrities and royalty, and much more.
Picture History of the Cunard Line 1840 - 1990
The Picture History of the Cunard Line 1840 - 1990 has over 180 photographs and illustrations showing the liners on the high seas and in port and depicting handsome staterooms, lounges, interior decor, and carefree life aboard ship.
THE ATLANTIC LINERS will be cherished by all the millions of Americans who love the sea. Frederick Emmons sketches the histories of every ocean liner that sailed between the United States and Europe between 1925 and 1970.
Tourist Third Cabin: Steamship Travel in the Interwar Years
Ocean Liners and New Vistas of Interwar Society From Immigrants to Tourists. The Changing Complexion of Translatlantic Passengers as The Soul of a Ship. Experience and Life of Below-Deck Personnel Traveling Palace or Floating Sweatshop. The Experience of Women Seafarers Projecting an Image: The Allure of MTransatlantic Travel.
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Back Side, RMS Laconia Dinner Menu Card, 8 September 1914. GGA Image ID # 1e9af8cb23
Back Cover of a Saloon and Second Cabin Passenger List for the RMS Laconia of the Cunard Line, Departing Thursday, 24 August 1922 from Liverpool to New York via Queenstown (Cobh). GGA Image ID # 174b9b4459
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RMS Laconia (1912) Cunard Steam Ship Company 1912 - 1917
The LACONIA was the first of two vessels of this name owned by the Cunard Line. The Laconia was launched from the Wallsend Shipyard on 27 July 1911 and after completion of all testing, was turned over to the Cunard Lines on 12 December 1911 and commencing service on 20 January 1912.
- Gross Tonnage - 18,099 tons
- Dimensions - 182.96m x 21.73m (600.3ft x 71.3ft)
- Number of funnels - 2
- Number of masts - 2
- Construction - Steel
- Propulsion - Twin screw
- Engines - Eight-cylinder quadruple-expansion engines by Wallsend Slipway Co Ltd
- Service speed - 17 Knots
- Builder -Swann, Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Wallsend-on-Tyne
- Passenger accommodation - 300 1st class; 350 2nd Class; 2,200 3rd Class
The Laconia and her sister-ship the Franconia were built to replace the Ivernia and Saxonia on the Liverpool to Boston service and to cover for the Lusitania and Mauretania if these were being refitted. They were also intended to ship emigrants from the Mediterranean to New York.
RMS Laconia (1912)
The Franconia was the first of the pair to be built, the Laconia taking her place on the stocks and being launched on 27 June 1911. Her maiden voyage was on 20 January 1912 between Liverpool, Boston and New York, on 3 February she made her first voyage between New York, Naples and Fiume.
For the most part, pre-World War I Cunarders almost all boasted twin stacks. Those that were lost at sea (and both Franconia and her sister Laconia were torpedoed) would be replaced post-war by single-funneled simulacra.
As it was, the pretty sisters' profiles, apart from their unseen technological specifications below decks, inaugurated the era of the high-sided steamer, a substantial advance over the comparable look of the company's doughty greyhounds of the 1890's, Campania and Lucania.
The third-class passengers are extremely well catered for, and have provided for them enclosed cabins with berths of modern type for two or four persons, while there are also a number of six-berth rooms for the use of families.
The main ding saloon is situated on F deck amidships and extends the full width of the ship. It is a spacious and will lighted apartment, and is fitted with revolving chairs.
Two small dining rooms adjoin the main saloon. The remaining third-class public rooms include a social hall on D deck and a smoking room and ladies' room on E deck, all comfortably furnished and well lighted.¹
The Laconia was turned into an armed merchant cruiser in 1914. She was based at Simonstown in the South Atlantic which she patrolled until April 1915.
Laconia was then used as a headquarters ship for the operations to capture Tanga and the colony of German East Africa (Tanzania). Four months later she returned to the patrolling of the South Atlantic. The Laconia was handed back to Cunard in July 1916.
The RMS Laconia Near New York Harbor, 1912. GGA Image ID # 1e9c4f9b62
On the outbreak of World War I the Laconia was transformed into an armed merchant cruiser, serving in the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean. In July 1916 she was returned to Cunard and on 9 September resumed the Liverpool to New York service.
On 25 February 1917 she was torpedoed by the German U-50 six miles northwest by west of Fastnet. Capt. Irvine of the Laconia, was returning from the United States to England.
The first torpedo struck the liner on the starboard side just abaft the engine room, but did not sink her. Twenty minutes later a second torpedo exploded in the engine room, again on the starboard side, and the vessel sank at 22:20.
There was a crew of 217 and she was carrying 75 passengers, of whom 34 were first class and 41 second class passengers. 12 people were killed, 6 crew and 6 passengers., including three American citizens, which added to anti-isolationist feeling there.
Structure, Dimensions and Other Information on the Laconia I
- Name: Laconia
- Class: Lloyds 100 A1
- Certificates: B of J Passenger Lloyds Classification No. 877 Berth 1
- Owners: Cunard Steam Ship Company, Ltd. Liverpool
- Trade: Atlantic Passenger Steamer, Intermediate Class
- Keel Laid: 25 July 1910
- Framed: 1 February 1911
- Plated: 1 June 1911
- Launched: 27 July 1911
- Trial Trip: 8 December 1911
Dimensions
- Length Overall: 621'3"
- Length P.P.: 600'0"
- Breadth Mld. 71'0"
- Breadth Ext. 71' 3.5"
Crew and Passenger Compliment (Capacity)
Crew
- Captain (1)
- Officers (6)
- Engineers and Staff (17)
- Physician and Staff (7)
- Petty Officers (20)
- Purser Staff (252)
- Seaman (32)
- Firemen, Trimmers and Others (80)
Total Crew (415)
Passengers (Capacity)
- First Class (184)
- Second Class (482)
- Third Class
- Cabin (1186)
- Portable Cabins (758)
- Total Third Class (1,944)
Total Passengers (2,610)
Lifeboats: 16 - Capacity: 972 Persons
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Treasure Quest - The Silver Queen - 2009
“Treasure Quest – The Silver Queen” a production of the Discovery Channel produced a program in 2009 about the SS Laconia (1911) that was torpedoed in the North Atlantic off the coast of Ireland at the start of WWI.
They used still images from the Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives to illustrate the program about the salvage operations to recover her cargo. Secrets of the Silver Queen referred to the silver (worth over $100 million) the Laconia was carrying at the time she was sunk.
Photographic Stills Provided by the Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives:
- Library and Writing Room - First Class
- Fireplace in the Writing Room
- The Gymnasium
- The Verandah Café
- Dining Saloon - Fist Class
- Covered Promenade - First Class
- Dining Saloon - Second Class
- Dining Room - Third Class
In addition to the stills, the Archives provided the transatlantic route maps of the Laconia I as supplemental information.
Treasure Quest is a one-hour weekly American documentary reality television series that premiered on January 15, 2009 on the Discovery Channel. The program follows the employees of Odyssey Marine Exploration as they search the English Channel for various lost ships. The team is led by company CEO Gregory Stemm and Tom Dettweiler (operations director of Robert Ballard's team that discovered the RMS Titanic[1]).
RMS Laconia - An ocean liner transformed into an armed merchant cruiser during World War I, sunk by a German U-boat. Also known as the Silver Queen due to the precious metals on board when sunk.
TREASURE QUEST was broadcast on Thursdays @ 10pm Only on THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL!
Reference: Discover Channel Treasure Quest: The Silver Queen, Season 1, Episode 11 : First Televised: 26 March 2009. Directed by Chris Sondreal, Narrated by Rob Naughton. Approximate Run Time: 43 Minutes.
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The Laconia (I) had a short service life, torpedoed by the Germans in 1917. Below is a harrowing story of escape from the war in August 1914.
The extraordinary conditions under which foreign trade is now carried on is shown in the fact that when the steamship Laconia of the Cunard Line entered New York Harbor on Monday of this week, with American refugees from abroad, she was disguised in the Scandinavian Line cold so as to escape capture by German war vessels. The time across was a most exciting one, and “The Evening Sun gives the following account of the voyage:
"The Laconia of the Cunard line, which left Liverpool on August 8 [1914] with 1,668 passengers, reached port this morning, and officers of the United States revenue service, who have boarded the vessel many times at Quarantine, were startled at her appearance.
Twenty-four hours at sea out of Liverpool sufficed to change the Laconia from a Cunarder into the appearance of Norwegian line ships, tier funnels, formerly red, gleamed In the black with brood bands of red about their middle. The upper rigging were all changed from white to black, the bridge was painted a buff color, and the name was painted out everywhere on the ship. Capt. Irvine was ready at any minute to fly the Norwegian flag.
On Aug. 10 Capt. Irvine said his ship was approached by a cruiser. This proved to be the transformed Cunard liner Aquitania on her patrol as a scout service for the royal navy, her curiosity having been aroused by the Laconia’s appearance. Capt. Irvine bad no trouble in convincing the cruiser's commander that his was an English ship.
The Aquitania Is doing duty on the trans-Atlantic route, watching to pick up information concerning German and French vessels.
Stories of hardships were common among the passengers on the Laconia. The crossing passage through the ship was crowded. Mattresses, beds were placed on the floors of the saloons to do for bunk quarters.
The 1,668 passengers, the number being composed almost entirely of those who usually travel in the first and second cabins, were crowded into the Laconia in helter-skelter fashion before the ship sailed, many being in the steerage. Early on the passage, the Americans, refugees from the war zones, were put in the first and second cabins, only sixty remaining in the steerage.
Many were short of funds. Some told of lost and commandeered automobiles, and one man said his automobile, worth $7,000 had been taken from him on German soil. A vivid description was given of the situation met by Americans and foreigners in Germany Just after the declaration of war by a man who said he was at Wiesbaden when he was overtaken by a overwhelming desire to go to the frontier between Germany and Belgium.
The way was crowded with foot fares, more than 2.000 Belgians and Americans, some transporting their baggage on wheelbarrows. Most of this baggage left behind in passing through Liege just before the fighting began there.
When the ship sailed from Liverpool, it was found that many women passengers In the first and second cabins did not have staterooms. When the number of women who did not have berths was made out a like number of men, who had cabin tickets gave up their rooms and took berths in the steerage.
This was the first trip of the Laconia to New York, her usual run being to Boston.
As reported in The Commercial and Financial Chronicle, Volume 99, No. 2565, Saturday, 22 August 1914, P. 522-523
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