Ship Board Items

The Home Port of R.M.S. Lusitania Lusitania Online

This page is something in the nature of a virtual gallery of Lusitania memorabilia. Sadly, very little remains to be seen of the Lusitania today, but every now and again, another long lost artefact turns up unexpectedly. We are indebted to all those who have given their kind permission for pictures of items in their possession to be displayed.

Sheet Music for the piano, commemorating the sinking. Cobwebs/Lusitania Online

The Images left are from Mr Simon Steggall who has kindly sent us these photos. One of the watches was recovered by Cobwebs in 1982 from the Lusitania wreck site. Mr Steggall also got one of the watch cases too so had the watch restored and put in the case. He used a 1915 watch of the same make/model for spares. All the ferrous metals have been replaced, but most of the watch is original. Click on photos for larger and better views.

Sheet Music commemorating the Lusitania's Maiden Voyage in 1907. Cobwebs/Lusitania Online

Silver-Plated Cigarette Case bearing the ship's name. It was originally purchased in the ship's Barber Shop as a souvenir item and was subsequently found on a New York construction site by local photographer Neil De Crescenzo. SHIPBOARD SOUVENIR ITEM Neil De Crescenzo/Lusitania Online.

Three-Handled silver-plated cup bearing a Cunard crest and the ship's name. (Another souvenir item once sold in the Barber's shop aboard the liner). SHIPBOARD SOUVENIR ITEM Turner Walker/Lusitania Online

Another example of the colourful Souvenir Postcards once sold aboard the ship. SHIPBOARD SOUVENIR ITEM Mitch Peeke/Lusitania Online

Colour Souvenir Postcard once sold aboard the ship. SHIPBOARD SOUVENIR ITEM Cobwebs/Lusitania Online

Serving jug for Drinking Chocolate. The jug bears a Cunard Crest and was salvaged from the wreck. Cobwebs/Lusitania Online

Silver teaspoon. The bowl clearly bears the ship's name and a Cunard Crest surmounts the handle. This spoon was part of the cutlery supplied for the ship's maiden voyage. Cobwebs/Lusitania Online

Part of a consignment of Pocket Watch Cases and boxed mechanisms. These were salvaged from the wreck and the one on the left was cleaned and polished to give an idea of its original appearance. Cobwebs/Lusitania Online

One of the few surviving plates from a salvaged consignment of china, most of which were sadly damaged or destroyed during the salvage attempt. Cobwebs/Lusitania Online

Cushion from the First Class Music Room, recovered from the sea on the day after the sinking by Able Seaman Henry Grew of the cruiser HMS Venus. For the full story of this item, see the "Disaster" page of this website and scroll down to the "Recovery operation" section. Mitch Peeke/Lusitania Online We have subsequently sent the cushion to the Merseyside Maritime Museum for permanent display.

Porthole recovered from the wreck during the 1982 salvage operation. Photo: Aidan Bowe,Leicestershire/Lusitania Online.

Text in Blue means you can click on an image and view a larger version.

Menu Cards from the Lusitania

Sunday September 13th 1914 Six weeks after the outbreak of the Great War, the Saloon Class Menu was still as rich and lavish as ever!

Wednesday June 2nd 1909 This menu belongs to the Second Class restaurant. The fayre, whilst it is certainly rich, it is not quite as elaborate as one would expect in First Class aboard such a ship and there aren't enough courses! The Saloon Class menu (as seen above) tend to have a lot more ornate decoration around them. KATE GILBERT/LUSITANIA ONLINE

Lusitania’s Breakfast Menu (Image courtesy of www.liveauctioneers.com and Hantman's Auctioneers and Appraisers. Via Lusitania Online).

Two hallmarked silver teaspoons both depicting the Lusitania, both of which are in the possession of Phil Irwin. They belonged to his Father's maiden aunt who died in the 1970s. She had been the Housekeeper to the Duke of Norfolk both at Arundel Castle (not far from Southampton) and at the Norfolk's house in London for many years. Both are marked "Southampton" and what could be Samuel. The maker's hallmarks are from Birmingham and bear the date 1910. Samuel's of Southampton is probably where they were purchased, but given that the Lusitania never visited that port, it remains something of a mystery as to whether they were purchased by the Norfolks as souvenir items aboard the ship or just as commemorative pieces from a shop in Southampton. Either way, they make a most handsome, and unusual addition to our Lusitania gallery. Image Phil Irwin/Lusitania Online.

Another example of a three-handled "Friendship Cup", this one is from First Class. These cups were obtained aboard the ship as a special souvenir of the voyage. Click on image for full size Furness Private Collection/Lusitania Online.

One of the first postcards produced to celebrate the ship when she was new. The card is in the possession of Jonathan Yardley and was sent to his Grandmother by his Grandfather in 1908. Click on image for full size Jonathan Yardley/Lusitania Online.