Second Class Accommodations
Second Class Drawing Room on the RMS Mauretania of the Cunard Line, 1907. GGA Image ID # 17ad024ad8
For second class passengers, whose quarters are aft, promenade space is provided on the promenade and bridge decks. The second-class public rooms are on the bridge deck and include a large, pleasingly appointed dining room, a handsomely furnished social hall or lounge, a smoking room, and a ladies' parlor.
The staterooms differ from those in the first-class accommodations mainly in that they have berths instead of bedsteads, but the fittings are up to date in every particular. Many of the rooms accommodate two passengers only.
Like the first-class accommodation, the public rooms and staterooms for second-class passengers extend from the main to the boat decks but are situated at the after end of the vessel.
Social Hall on the RMSP Liner SS Asturias, 1913. GGA Image ID # 17ad3eb095
Only in magnificence and not in comfort does the first-class accommodation surpass the second-class, the same care and attention having been exercised in both classes' equipment and indeed a passenger on first going on board might well be excused for mistaking the second-class public rooms and staterooms for the first-class.
Only a few years ago, such accommodation would have been considered fully worthy of first-class passengers, and if one feature more than another will make the Mauretania popular with Atlantic travelers, it will be the beauty and comfort of this section of the accommodation.
RMS Franconia Second Cabin Dining Room, 1911. GGA Image ID # 17ad83aeba
In catering for this class of passengers, the Cunard Company may fairly claim to lead the way among the great steamship lines plying between the Old and the New Worlds.
The second-class staterooms are all on the main, upper, and shelter decks, while the public rooms are on the promenade and boat decks.
Second-class Grand Entrances and Staircases.
Cabin Class Stairway on the SS Carpathia of the Cunard Line. GGA Image ID # 17ad8982e6
The second-class grand entrances extend from the main to the boat deck and are in specially selected teak, beautifully marked. The floors throughout are laid with black and white rubber tiling in a simple design.
The grand and auxiliary staircases are also in teak, similar to the entrances, and ascend from the main to the boat deck, thus giving access to all the second-class quarters.
Second-Class Dining Saloon on the RMS Mauretania, 1907. GGA Image ID # 17ada1d1ff
Second-class Dining Saloon
The second-class dining saloon, which opens off the grand entrance, is 61 feet long and the ship's full width, with a height of 10 feet. The style of the room is Georgian, with carved cornice.
The design is executed in oak, and the floor is laid with parquetry to harmonize with the walls. Above the center of the room is a large octagonal opening, communicating with the grand entrance on the shelter deck above and forming the dining saloon's dome.
This dome has a total height from the floor of the dining saloon of 19 feet. An electrolier, of handsome design (illustrated in " Electrical Installation"), is suspended from the dome's center and is surrounded by smaller electric lights.
A massive carved oak sideboard is a prominent feature at the after end of this apartment, immediately opposite being the piano.
Bay in Second Class Dining Saloon on the RMS Mauretania, 1907. GGA Image ID # 17addfb28f
The tables, at which 250 persons can be seated, are also in oak. Brussels carpet runners of a bottle-green are laid on the polished floor between the tables, and the revolving chairs are upholstered in frieze velvet of the same color.
The windows around the sides of the room are arranged in pairs, and the room generally has a light and airy appearance, which is considerably enhanced by the lofty dome.
Second Class Drawing Room on the RMS Mauretania, 1907. GGA Image ID # 17ade27f04
Second-class drawing room
The second-class drawing room is situated on the promenade deck. Fitted up in a variety of maple woods with gold decorations, this apartment is in style a free translation of the Louis XVI. period. A dome of obscured glass with gilded metal framework surmounts the room, and in the walls are large square windows.
The sofa seats and chairs are upholstered in crimson frieze velvet, and the window curtains are of a tint to harmonize. The carpet is of crimson Brussels, and the small tables scattered about the room give an appearance of ease and comfort.
The piano, designed to suit the room, is in maple, with gold decorations. As a quiet retreat while at sea, this room will be exceedingly popular with lady passengers.
Second Class Smoking Room on the RMS Mauretania, 1907. GGA Image ID # 17adebad6f
Second-class Smoking Room
The second-class smoking room, 51ft. 6in. long by 40ft. wide, with a height of 8ft. 6in., opens aft from the grand entrance on the promenade deck, and is late Georgian in style.
This apartment is fitted up in mahogany, inlaid with English boxwood and Burr mahogany, giving a very artistic effect.
The upholstery of the chairs and sofa seats is in a dark blue velvet pile moquette. The floor is covered with inlaid linoleum, with dark blue Brussels carpet runners.
The dome overhead is generally similar to that in the second-class drawing-room, but the windows are larger and arranged in pairs.
Second Class Lounge on the RMS Mauretania, 1907. GGA Image ID # 17ae0d774e
Second-class lounge
The grand entrance on the boat deck is extended to form the second-class lounge. Access to the open-air promenade is obtained through a handsome vestibule on each side of the apartment. Teak has been used throughout to correspond with the grand staircases which terminate on this deck.
The windows in this apartment are unique in ship construction, each being divided into three portions. The two outer portions are rectangular, and the center and larger portions have a graceful radius top.
Blue carpet runners are laid on the wood deck, and the upholstery is in a moquette of a tint to match the carpets.
Two-Berth Second Class Stateroom on the RMS Mauretania, 1907. GGA Image ID # 17ae130842
Second-class Staterooms
Seventy staterooms, each accommodating two or four passengers, are situated on the main deck. As in most of the first-class cabins, these rooms are paneled in white, with mahogany furniture. Sofas, wardrobes, and lavatory compactums are fitted.
On the upper deck, 39 staterooms have been fitted; and on the shelter deck, some special second-class cabins are provided, which, with their large square windows and other fittings, are only slightly inferior to many of the first-class staterooms.
The upholstery throughout all the second-class staterooms is in a dark moquette, the carpets being of crimson Brussels. The window and berth curtains are in blue chalis and the door curtains in crimson chenille.