Aquitania (1914)
Message Board

14.
Aug. 21, 2008

My grandfather was transported on the Aquitania on April 2nd 1918, headed for England. Here is an excerpt from his diary:

April 1918 1) We moved over to different barracks in the morning. We got our orders to move late in the afternoon so they had another inspection. They had us up all night drawing what we were short in equipment.
All I got of it was a pair of gloves and a pair of shoe strings. We rolled our packs and carried out barrack bags to the station about 2:30 AM.  

2) We, the 315 of the 375, left the station on the train about 6 AM getting to the Hoboken docks about 8 o'clock and stood around on the pier till nearly noon. A ferry came and took us over to where the Aquitania docked. She is "some scow". We were checked off and given a meal card and bunk number and run up the gang plank. She pulled out about ten minutes later at 12:10 PM. By night we were way out of sight of land. I have a fairly good bunk. Some of the fellows drew regular state room. Spent the afternoon looking the boat over as much as I could. Chris Adams on the 8th deck. We call it the "death pit". I'm on "E" deck. 

What I am looking for is a passenger list or something like that that would prove that he was onboard her. His name is/was Robert Peal Dunphy.

Thank you very much,
Randall S. Dunphy
Camarillo, California


13.
Aug. 14, 2008

What a heartfelt delight to have found this message board. So few people have ever heard of the Aquitania, it's wonderful to find people who revere her as I do. My granny and I traveled from Greenock, Scotland, to Glasgow, and then on to Southampton in the first week of Sept. 1948 where we boarded the Aquitania bound
for Halifax, from where we immediately made our way to P.E.I.

My parents and brothers followed several months later. After a year on the island we eventually settled in Toronto where our family has resided ever since. I remember having my 6th birthday onboard. This year, for
the first time I'll return to Halifax (by sea of course), to celebrate 60 years since that wonderful crossing on the Aquitania. However I'll be celebrating my 66th birthday onboard. Anyone with any memories or info on the crossing, Southampton - Halifax?  Sept. 1948?

Josie Brown
Toronto, Ontario, Canada


12.

My father, William Sullivan, was a stoker on the Aquitania during WW1. I have a photo of him and his crew mates. I recall only a few things that he spoke of. He talked about taking Yanks into battle, but he didn't like them much. I think he mentioned a collision with another vessel and nearly cutting it in half.

Bill Sullivan
Kalgoorlie, Western Australia

Crew of HMS Aquarius, William Sullivan is in the back row, second from left.

Aug. 6, 2008: We live and learn.  On closer inspection I can see that the name on the headgear of the sailors
is not HMS Aquitania but HMS Aquarius.  However, I am not wrong about my father serving on the Aquitania.
He was a simple stoker. He and the family spoke of it many times (although details are hazy) and my random searches have confirmed that information that I have known for many years.  There was a large photo in my home when I was a child and I'm sure (I think) that that did bear the name of Aquitania. I'm English born, living in Australia, but my family, all older than me, are still in England.   Not much chance of information from home.
Bill Sullivan


11.
June 12, 2008

I see others are looking for passenger lists. I to would like to get one on a trip from Southhampton-Halifax
Apr. 5/46. I believe Lord Alexander was on the same trip to become GG of Canada. Have others had success, if so, how do I go about my search?

Thank You,
Ian Esson
Brampton Ontario, Canada


10.
Apr. 19, 2008

I am trying to locate a passenger list for the Aquitania which left Southampton, England in December 15, 1947 for Halifax, Nova Scotia. Does anyone have a copy their willing to share or any information relating to this sailing? Great site, Michael. I hope you're able to expand to other ships coming into Canada. I'm also trying to find out how to get a name of a ship and the passenger list of that ship which supposedly came around the Cape Horn from Europe and landed in Vancouver in 1910.  That's all the information I have to go on.  Thanks in advance for any help.

Rosalie
Victoria, B.C. Canada


9.
Mar. 16, 2008

Thank you for the wonderful links to Aquitania history. My father's family (parents, him and sister) came from Holland (Nederland ) to the United States in 1950.  I want to find out more but I believe that his trip was one of the last crossings of the Atlantic to the United States before the lady retired in Nova Scotia. Thanks for putting images and history to our Aquitania respect and reverence.

Bill Slope


8.
Nov. 26, 2007

It gives me great pleasure to be able to add my comments to this wonderful RMS Aquitania website. 11-29-47 my Mum, Claire Devlin Blackley, Auntie Kathleen Devlin, my wee sister Claire Devlin Blackley & myself, Francis Rafferty Blackley, Jnr., sailed from Southampton to Halifax, NS arriving on Dec. 3, 1947. We could not disembark until the following day, Dec.4, the reason being Aquitania had a list to port and we were leaving starboard side to.

I was 7, dressed in a kilt and Glengarry with a smattering of snow in Halifax Harbour. It was rather chilly, but we Scot's are tough. We left Bo'ness, Scotland via Digby, Lincolnshire (RAF BASE) then continued on to London & Southampton for our fantastic voyage. 5 days of North Atlantic Storms. I think Mum, Sis & I were the only ones that appeared for the 3 meals clumsily served in the huge vacant dining hall. I have fond memories of running amok all over the ship with my 10 year old pal Alex Henry who was traveling to Vancouver, BC with his Mum who was a war bride with 5 children.

We traveled by train Halifax- Montreal- Toronto and our destination, London, Ont. This Thursday Nov. 29 is our 60th anniversary and I am celebrating by building a model of RMS Aquitania, but using a Lusitania model. Couldn't find Aquitania anywhere. No one will know, except you & I. Thank you Michael, I really appreciate this space.

Francis R. Blackley
Victoria, BC Canada


7.
Sept. 7, 2007

My father sailed from London (I believe) to Halifax on the Aquitania and arrived March 14  1949. His name was Patrick Fagan and he hailed from Coatbridge, Scotland. He sailed first class and he was a very charismatic character, only 4'8” in stature and full of fun and devilment. Anyone who met him would remember  him.  I am hoping to get in touch with the Clark Family – the children of  Ack and Mary Clark (deceased), and their children Mabel (Port McNichol, Ontario )  and Murray(Minnie) of Toronto ……
I'd love to hear from anyone who was on the Aquitania .

Trish La Plante (nee Patricia Fagan)


6.
Aug. 19, 2007

In late 1946, my wife (then 6 months old) came to Halifax with her mother who was a war bride, from Holland on the Aquitania. I have been searching for a passenger list. If anyone knows of a copy, please email cmithellsales@sympatico.ca

Thanks,
Fred Mitchell


5.
June 7, 2007

I am looking for a photo from January 8, 1936 that shows the Triple Crown winning racehorse Omaha being loaded onto the Aquitania for a trip to England to run in the Ascot Gold Cup later that year. The particular photo that I am looking for shows Omaha along with trainer Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons and a groom (Jim Ahearn).
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


Scott Gralheer
scottglk@earthlink.net

4.
Mar. 12, 2007

I have a picture, sort of looks like a photo on canvas, of the Aquitania and it says Cunard Line on a brass plaque on the black frame. It hangs over our fireplace. I bought it years ago at an antique/junk shop and figured it was
out of a travel agency of the fifties. I have always been curious when exactly the ship was built and now know, thanks to your website. This will definitely increase my appreciation of our picture.

Sarah Van Vleck


3.
Mar. 8, 2007

With delight, by chance I came upon your web site and found the information on the ship Aquitania very interesting. I believe that is the ship that brought my Mother to the United States in 1926.

I have been desperately searching for any record of my Mother arriving in New York, Ellis Island. From all the information I was able to compile on her I am led to believe she left Cherbourg, France on April 1, l926 and arrived in New York April l0, l926 on the S.S. Aquitania. Her name was Johanna Louisa Hangartner - born March 28, l903 - white female - born Alstatten, Switzerland, Father was Josef Anton Hangartner - she came to America to get married. Where could I find information regarding the Manifest for this particular date? I would be very grateful for any information you would be able to give me.

Thank you -
Bert and Caroline Grover
(hggreenacres@frontiernet.net)


2.
Feb. 28, 2007

Am trying to find out if Aquitania was ever mentioned in any of Dame Agatha Christie's stories. If you know please reply j4360g@hotmail.com. Many thanks from me and the veteran who wants to know.

Judith Garlow


1.
Dec. 14, 2006

I am trying to find the passenger list for the Aquitania arriving at Pier 21 Halifax March 14th 1949. Just wondering if anyone has a copy or knows where I could find one.

J Siderius



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