RMS ‘Aquitania’ was a Cunard Line ocean liner, designed by naval architect Leonard Peskett and built by John Brown & Company in Clydebank, Scotland. She was launched on 21 April 1913 and sailed her maiden voyage to New York on 30 May 1914. Just a month later, her civilian career was interrupted with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria (1863-1914) and the outbreak of the First World War. After only three voyages, she was taken over for military use. ‘Aquitania’ was converted into an armed merchant cruiser but only served for a short period in this role before she was deemed to be far too large to undertake it effectively. In late 1915, she became a hospital vessel and it is in this guise that William Minshall Birchall (1884-1941) has chosen to show her. It was against international law to fire at a hospital ship, so ‘Aquitania’ is clearly marked with red crosses that signify her purpose and would hopefully keep her safe from attack.