The Pretty Sisters

Carmania and her sister ship, Caronia, entered service in 1905.   They were two of the most important ships on the Atlantic run at the turn of the century.  Dubbed the “pretty sisters,” they were noted for their beautiful interiors and fine profiles.  Their key contribution, however, was technical.

1:1250 model of Carmania by Gryzbowski

The ships were designed by Leonard Peskett and built by John Brown & Company for the Cunard Line.  When construction of these ships was underway, Cunard was planning Lusitania and Mauretania and chose to use Parson’s turbines to power the new ships.  As a pioneering technology, this was quite a gamble and made both shareholders and engineers anxious.  In order to give engineers practical experience with turbines, Cunard decided to fit Carmania with turbines and her sister with conventional reciprocating engines.  The company would make careful comparisons of fuel efficiency, speed, vibration, noise, and cleanliness between the two ships.

Hand colored postcard, ca. 1910.  One key difference between the sister ships  was the number of propellors.  Caronia had two, but Carmania had three.  Carmania also had large cowl vents on her forecastle.  

When launched, the sisters, were the largest ships in the Cunard fleet.  The Carmania’s turbines proved superior to the reciprocating engines fitted to the Caronia.

Carmania dockside.

The Carmania traveled the New York-Liverpool route from 1905 to 1910. In the spring of 1906, she carried H.G. Wells to America for the first time; he noted in a book about his travels that "This Carmania isn't the largest ship nor the finest, nor is to be the last. Greater ships are to follow and greater."  The sci-fi prophet was indeed correct, as Lusitania entered service a year later.

Postcard depicting the First Class Lounge on Carmania and Caronia.

Following the outbreak of World War I, the Carmania was converted into an armed merchant cruiser equipped with eight 4.7 inch guns. She sailed from Liverpool to Shell Bay in Bermuda. She subsequently engaged and sank the German merchant cruiser Cap Trafalgar, during the Battle of Trindad.  After a heavy exchange of fire, the Cap Trafalgar sank.  Carmania suffered extensive damage and suffered several casualties. After extensive repairs, she was summoned to assist in the Gallipoli campaign. From May 1916, she was used as a troop ship. After the war, she transported Canadian troops back from Europe.

Ephemera including a passenger list, concert program, and promotional booklet from a 1920s cruise to the Mediterranean.

Carmania was refitted in 1923 and converted to oil firing and her lower accommodations upgraded to tourist class.  She made crossings from Liverpool to Boston and New York but also began cruises to the Mediterranean and West Indies. 

1920s scene.  Carmania is docked behind Berengaria.  Scythia is on the left.

She remained a popular ship until the slump began in 1929.  Faced with falling numbers, Cunard retired the pretty sisters.  In 1932, she was sold to Hughes Bolckow & Co., and scrapped at Blyth.  The name was well remembered and a new Carmania was commissioned in the 1950s.

RMS Carmania (1905-1932).  Built by John Brown & Company, Clydebank, Scotland for Cunard Line.  19,524 GRT.  675 feet long, 72 feet wide.  Steam turbines geared to triple screw.  Service speed 18 knots.  2,650 total passengers (300 First Class, 350 Second Class, 900 Third Class, 1,000 Steerage).