Aquitania - The Ship Beautiful by Gordon Bauwens.
December 1909 saw Cunards directors authorise a new liner to operate in union with Mauretania and Lusitania, offering a three-ship weekly transatlantic express service - a long held Company dream. Among the details, they specified that the new vessel should be constructed of the very best materials, finished complete in a first class style of workmanship to the entire satisfaction of the owners. In Aquitania, John Browns Clydebank shipyard surpassed Cunards criteria by creating what many have described as the most beautiful four funnelled liner ever built. Known throughout most of her long and successful career as the Ship Beautiful, she was in a class of her own. The combination of almost perfect external proportions along with spectacular interiors, endeared her to all. Sea going manners were equally impeccable with her captain on the maiden voyage exclaiming, her steadiness and lack of vibration are phenomenal.
During Aquitanias career of almost 36 years, she carried a total of 1.2 million passengers over 3 million miles and crossed the Atlantic 442 times and served faithfully throughout the two world wars as troop carrier and hospital ship. The worlds last surviving four funnelled liners life was further extended as a post-war immigrant ship before finally sailing to the breakers in February 1950. Dignified and incredibly beautiful to the end, her demise saddened thousands whose lives she had touched across the years. The painting shows Aquitania on builders trials in May 1914, in the background PS Glen Sannox en route from Arran to Ardrossan sets course to pass astern of Aquitania and a southbound trading brig.
Signed limited edition of 650 prints. Image size 21 inches x 14.5 inches (53cm x 37cm). Price £70.00
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ITEM CODE GBQ0006
