RMS Samaria 1920 Cruises and Cunard Line

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Black and white photo of a steaming ferry cruising through Hamburg, Germany's scenic waterways.
Credit: pexels.com, Black and white photo of a steaming ferry cruising through Hamburg, Germany's scenic waterways.

The RMS Samaria was a British passenger liner that made its mark in the early 20th century. It was built by the Cunard Line, a renowned shipping company.

The Samaria's maiden voyage took place in 1920, and it was a significant event for the Cunard Line. The ship was designed to be a luxurious and comfortable mode of transportation for passengers.

The Cunard Line was known for its high-quality service and amenities, and the Samaria was no exception. It offered a range of onboard facilities, including dining rooms, lounges, and staterooms.

RMS Samaria (1920)

RMS Samaria was a transatlantic ocean liner built for Cunard Line. She was completed in 1922 and served until 1955.

The RMS Samaria had a long and varied career, serving as a troopship in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. She was scrapped in 1956.

The ship was launched on November 27, 1920, and had a gross tonnage of 19,602 GRT. She was 601.5 feet long and had a beam of 73.7 feet.

Credit: youtube.com, Minecraft R.M.S. Samaria (1922) (CUNARD-LINE) - A wonderful working asset to the Line

The RMS Samaria's passenger capacity was 315 first class, 350 second class, and 1500 third class as built. She had a crew of 434.

Here are some key statistics about the RMS Samaria:

  • Gross Tonnage: 19,602 GRT
  • Length: 601.5 feet
  • Beam: 73.7 feet
  • Passenger Capacity: 315 first class, 350 second class, 1500 third class
  • Crew: 434

History

RMS Samaria was a British transatlantic ocean liner built by Cammel Laird & Company in Birkenhead for the Cunard Line, and launched in November 1920.

Fitting out for service took somewhat longer than usual due to post-war demands on industry, but Samaria entered service in April 1922. She was an intermediate liner designed with an emphasis on fuel economy, with a service speed of around 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph).

The ship was intended to augment Cunard's transatlantic service, running on the Liverpool to Boston and New York route with periodic stops in Cobh, and appealing to those first and second-class passengers looking for comfort at reasonable rates.

Darts at Sea

The R.M.S. Samaria was a Cunard liner launched at the Cammell Laird shipyard in 1920.

Two iconic ocean liners docked at a port under a cloudy sky, showcasing maritime history.
Credit: pexels.com, Two iconic ocean liners docked at a port under a cloudy sky, showcasing maritime history.

Its maiden voyage was on 19 April 1922 from Liverpool to Boston, a route that was later extended to include New York.

The ship was extensively used for cruising and was converted into a troopship in 1939.

R.M.S. Samaria was only returned to Cunard after the war in 1950.

It had to undergo a full overhaul, meaning it didn't return to service as a cruise liner until 1951.

The ship's last voyage was in December, 1955, and it was sold for scrap the following year.

The darts shown in the image were likely awarded to passengers who played in a darts competition on board during their passage on the cruise liner.

The darts were sold by Unicorn continuously for more than 10 years, making the earliest they could be 1950.

They were probably produced between 1951 and 1955, as the ship was in service during that time.

New Cruises Mirror Historic Cunard Line Trips

Cunard Line is bringing back its historic around-the-world cruises, just like the ones it did a century ago.

Drone view of old rusty ship floating in polluted water and moored in abandoned dirty port in daylight
Credit: pexels.com, Drone view of old rusty ship floating in polluted water and moored in abandoned dirty port in daylight

In 1923, Cunard's first two circumnavigations of the globe took place on the RMS Laconia and RMS Samaria, two grand ocean liners that had just debuted in 1922.

The Queen Victoria, a 2,081-passenger ship, will visit many of the same ports that the RMS Laconia visited on its first-ever around-the-world cruise, including Hong Kong, New York, and Singapore.

The Queen Victoria's 92-day sailing will kick off in New York and end in Southampton, England, and fares start at $18,499 per person.

Cunard's flagship Queen Mary 2 will emulate the first around-the-world sailing of the RMS Samaria with a 117-day roundtrip voyage out of New York.

The Queen Mary 2 will feature overnight stops in Dubai, Sydney, and Cape Town, South Africa, as it travels from Europe to Asia, Australia, and South Africa.

Fares for the Queen Mary 2 voyage start at $21,499 per person, making it a pricey but unique experience.

Cunard is also selling smaller segments of the voyages, ranging from two to 40 nights in duration, for those who can't commit to the full trip.

The Queen Elizabeth, Cunard's third ship, will sail in Australia for part of 2023, offering a complete, 28-night circumnavigation of the country, with fares starting at $6,199 per person.

Felicia Larson

Writer

Felicia Larson is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for logistics. Her work focuses on the intricate world of shipping companies, where she delves into the complexities of global logistics and supply chain management. Through her articles, she aims to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the industry, from the latest technological advancements to the challenges faced by shipping companies.

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