Hello All:
To continue on with the "Aquitania's" history, here is a write up and image that I had on a AOL members page a few years back.
"AQUITANIA" - ARMED MERCHANT CRUISER
The history of the "Aquitania's" conversion to an Armed Merchant Cruiser is as follows:
On August 1, 1914, "Aquitania" was requisitioned by her Majesty's government for conversion to an Armed Merchant Cruiser. This was done after "Aquitania" had only completed three round trip voyages from Liverpool to New York.
The maiden voyage being on May 30, 1914. However, the departure took place without the normal press fanfare. As the world and the press were stunned by the loss of the "Impress of Ireland" on the previous day.
"Aquitania" was berthed in Liverpool, at the start of the Great War. And when hostilities started between Germany and Great Britain on August 4, 1914, "Aquitania" was already under conversion to an Armed Merchant Cruiser. And most of her furnishings and fittings had been moved ashore for safe keeping.
With the declaration of war on August 4, 1914, the pace of the work was speed up and "Aquitania's" conversion was completed by August 8, 1914.
For this conversion "Aquitania" was painted with a drab gray camouflage paint, hinged blast shutters were placed over her bridge windows, and her exterior hallways were equipped with plaited-rope splinter curtains. To top this off she was also fitted with 10 6" inch guns.
On August 8, 1914, "Aquitania" left Liverpool for patrol duty in the Irish Sea and North Atlantic. During the third week of her patrol off the Irish coast she collided with the 9,000 ton steamer "Canadian". This collision severely damaged the smaller vessel and crumpled "Aquitania's" stem, along with additional damage to her port side. As result of this damage "Aquitania" was
required to return to Liverpool for investigation of the damage and repairs.
While "Aquitania" was being repaired at Liverpool the "Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse" a converted german liner was sunk by the "HMS Highflyer" on August 27, and the "Cap Trafalger" was sunk by the "Carmania" (after which "Carmania" was severely damaged and had to be withdrawn from service), on September 14, 1914.
The Admiralty as result of these liner sinkings desided not to risk the "Aquitania" in the same way. "Aquitania" and "Mauretania" were then withdrawn from military service and stripped of their guns. Both liners were then laid up until a more suitable role for them could be found.
In May, 1915, "Aquitania" left on duties as a troop transport to and from the Dardanelles, after she was painted with a dazzle paint scheme.
Thus ended "Aquitania's" role as an Armed Merchant Cruiser. "Aquitania" went on to play an important role in the First World War as a Troop Transport and Hospital Ship.
Now getting back to the postcard. It is a real photo-image of the "Aquitania" in the Liverpool dry-dock. But what is interesting is that there is a lot of furniture & fixtures on the pier not to mention several lifeboats which are being inspected.
But the true piece of history in this real photo is there is a 6" GUN on her foredeck.
Now the next interesting thing is the postmark and text of the postcard.
Liverpool, AUGUST 3, 1914
Dear Aunt Yanny:
I hope you are both well, we are very well at present, and are staying here for a week. Have just been to see this large ship they are getting her ready -- for the war. Liverpool, seems very busy it is a very nice place
Love from all, L. Dennis
So the interesting thing here is that the british had the "Aquitania" in dry-dock on or before August 3, 1914, when this postcard was mailed and had off loaded her furniture and fixtures and on loaded some of her 6" guns.
The guns were on the "Aquitania" on or before August 3, 1914, and war was declared on
August 4, 1914.
Am Image of History
Now for a closeup of the unmounted 6" Gun on her foredeck. (Sorry but due to the image limitations on ET I can't do much better)