RMS LUSITANIA - 1907
As she appeared on her Maiden Voyage.
‘splendid service’
On Friday 13 September, 1907, Lusitania steamed into New York Harbour for the first time to be greeted by hundreds of thousands of jubilant Americans. Photographs show her proudly flying decorative signal flags from her masts as she headed for Cunard’s Pier 56 for the first of over one hundred future arrivals.
On Friday 13 September, 1907, Lusitania steamed into New York Harbour for the first time to be greeted by hundreds of thousands of jubilant Americans. Photographs show her proudly flying decorative signal flags from her masts as she headed for Cunard’s Pier 56 for the first of over two hundred future arrivals.
Although her arrival in New York was triumphant, she had not broken the speed record managing a time of 5 days and 54 minutes - only missing out on beating SS Kaiser Wilhelm II by a half hour. In time her engines were broken in and she would earn the Blue Riband for England.
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“What a spectacular sight it must have been to see Lusitania steaming into New York for the first time. The ship was a hive of activity; photographs show her gangway doors had been opened and her cargo derricks raised and with steam on the winches for unloading. Perhaps most impressively though, her crew had ‘dressed’ the leviathan in signal flags to mark the event.”
- Michael C Brady, June 2021
Steaming brilliantly into New York, the Pilot Jack fluttered proudly at Lusitania’s prow and the crew raised her mast derricks in preparation for the speedy unloading of cargo; over 100 horse-drawn carriages awaited the disembarkation of the great liner’s passengers.
Bunting composed of signal flags flew proudly from both masts - a well-deserved decoration for Britain’s greatest yet achievement in oceangoing technology and the largest moving object in the world.
In the calm waters of the Hudson, gangway doors were swung open in anticipation of disembarking passengers; this one led to the main First Class entrance.
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