H.M.S. Laurentic

Loss of HMS Laurentic,

25th January 1917

Brian Budge, (brian.budge@btinternet.com) has begun looking at the loss of this armed merchant cruiser.

LAURENTIC

Built 1909

Tonnage 14892 GRT

Length 550' 00"

Breadth 67' 00"

Average Speed 17.0 knots

On the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the White Star liner R.M.S. Laurentic was requisitioned by the Admiralty as an armed merchant cruiser. On 25th January 1917 she struck a mine off Lough Swilly on the northern coast of County Donegal, Ireland and sank with the loss of 350 persons. H.M.S. Laurentic was travelling to New York and her cargo included a substantial amount of gold bullion that was later recovered.

Sources: Text based on details in The Red Duster website at http://fp.redduster.f9.co.uk/WSTAR5.htm

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