








RMS Mauretania was launched on 28 July 1938 at the Cammell Laird yard in Birkenhead, England and was completed in May 1939. A successor to RMS Mauretania (1906), the second Mauretania was the first ship built for the newly formed Cunard White Star company following the merger in April 1934 of the Cunard and White Star lines.
The new liner had a tonnage of 35,739 gross, an overall length of 772 feet and a beam of 89 feet and had a design similar to Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, both of which were also Cunard ships. She was powered by two sets of Parsons single reduction-geared steam turbines giving 42,000 shaft horsepower and driving twin screws. Her service speed was 23 knots.