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The Unseen Lusitania: The Ship in Rare Illustrations
Lost to a German torpedo on May 7, 1915, Cunard’s RMS Lusitania captured the world’s imagination when she entered service in 1907.
Not only was she was the largest ship in the world, but she was also revolutionary in design as well as being a record breaker. Lusitania is now sadly remembered for her tragic destruction, sinking in eighteen minutes with the loss of around 1,200 souls. Through rare and impressive visual materials, historian Eric Sauder brings RMS Lusitania to life once again.
Filled with vivid photographs and illustrations from Eric’s extensive private collection, this absorbing read will transport the reader back 100 years to a time when opulent Ships of State were the only way to cross the Atlantic.
Not only was she was the largest ship in the world, but she was also revolutionary in design as well as being a record breaker. Lusitania is now sadly remembered for her tragic destruction, sinking in eighteen minutes with the loss of around 1,200 souls. Through rare and impressive visual materials, historian Eric Sauder brings RMS Lusitania to life once again.
Filled with vivid photographs and illustrations from Eric’s extensive private collection, this absorbing read will transport the reader back 100 years to a time when opulent Ships of State were the only way to cross the Atlantic.
160 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2015
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 23, 2015
A loving tribute by the man who not only has spent over thirty years researching the ship, but who has gone beneath the Irish sea to see her on an expedition. Eric Sauder has put together a beautiful volume that is filled with such clear photos that the reader would feel like they could step through time to be in that moment.
The very beginnings of the planning for the Lusitania and her sister ship, Mauretania gives us a certain anticipation of history unfolding. Rare documents and letters help augment page after page of photos as the ship goes from conception, to a steel frame in a shipping yard, to the fitting out and finally the momentous launch.
We also get to know the people behind the decision making such as Lord Inverclyde, James Miller, Alexander Mearns, Alfred Booth. A unique surprise are several drawings of the Lusitania's interiors. Comparison photos show of how Cunard found ways to reduce the vibration from the propellers.
A sizable section in the middle of the book reveals how the rooms aboard the Lusitania would look in color. Also shown are unique views of items raised from the wreck in 1982. Towards the end of the book, there is also an inventory of the recovered items. As we fade back to black and white we see shots taken aboard by passengers and crew, including a one-of-a-kind photo taken by a passenger inside a first class cabin.
Two survivor accounts, one printed for the first time in almost 100 years reveal life aboard the ship on the final voyage and re-live the experience of the torpedoing and eventual rescue. The aftermath starting with the mass funerals is also fully covered along with the first dives to the ship.
As the book comes to a close, the author puts a human face on the tragedy with many photos of the Lusitania's passengers and crew from the final voyage. The book is a must as the centenary approaches.
The very beginnings of the planning for the Lusitania and her sister ship, Mauretania gives us a certain anticipation of history unfolding. Rare documents and letters help augment page after page of photos as the ship goes from conception, to a steel frame in a shipping yard, to the fitting out and finally the momentous launch.
We also get to know the people behind the decision making such as Lord Inverclyde, James Miller, Alexander Mearns, Alfred Booth. A unique surprise are several drawings of the Lusitania's interiors. Comparison photos show of how Cunard found ways to reduce the vibration from the propellers.
A sizable section in the middle of the book reveals how the rooms aboard the Lusitania would look in color. Also shown are unique views of items raised from the wreck in 1982. Towards the end of the book, there is also an inventory of the recovered items. As we fade back to black and white we see shots taken aboard by passengers and crew, including a one-of-a-kind photo taken by a passenger inside a first class cabin.
Two survivor accounts, one printed for the first time in almost 100 years reveal life aboard the ship on the final voyage and re-live the experience of the torpedoing and eventual rescue. The aftermath starting with the mass funerals is also fully covered along with the first dives to the ship.
As the book comes to a close, the author puts a human face on the tragedy with many photos of the Lusitania's passengers and crew from the final voyage. The book is a must as the centenary approaches.
November 28, 2022
One hundred percent on my read a second time list.
February 7, 2022
Eric Sauder is pretty much the authority on all things Lusitania. Not only does it have rare photographs, but also a lot of information settling some mysteries of the ship.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews