Lusitania and Beyond: the life of commodore William Thomas Turner

A biography of William Thomas Turner (1856-1933), Captain of the RMS Lusitania at the time of its sinking in May 1915. The authors follow Turner's early years with the merchant marine and his progression through the ranks with Cunard. From 1903 Turner was Captain of the Aleppo, Carpathia, Ivernia, Caronia, and Umbria before taking command of the Lusitania in 1908. He subsequently assumed command of the Mauretania and Aquitania and was appointed Commodore in March 1913. The authors concentrate on Turner's story rather than an account of the events surrounding the sinking of the Lusitania, seeking to present the information that Turner had available to him at the time of the disaster, and to restore his reputation, which was damaged as a result of the sinking.