RMS Alaunia was a Cunard ocean liner constructed in 1913 at Greenock by Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company. She had a gross register tonnage of 13,405 GRT and was part of a trio of sister ships, which included RMS Andania and RMS Aurania. Alaunia’s design featured accommodations exclusively for second and third class passengers, reflecting her role in serving the needs of the more economical travel market of her time. Launched on 9 June 1913, Alaunia commenced her maiden voyage on 27 December 1913, operating as a passenger liner before the outbreak of World War I. With the advent of war, she was requisitioned as a troopship, marking her as the first Cunard vessel to transport Canadian troops. During her wartime service, she was instrumental in carrying troops from the Home Counties Division to Bombay in October 1914 and later participated in the Gallipoli campaign by summer 1915. In 1916, Alaunia resumed transporting troops across the Atlantic, notably ferrying personnel from Canada and the United States. Her wartime career ended dramatically when, on 19 October 1916, she struck a mine laid earlier that day by the German submarine SM UC-16 in the English Channel, near the Royal Sovereign Lightship off Eastbourne. Despite efforts to beach and tow her, the damage was beyond repair, and her captain ordered the abandonment of the vessel. Two crew members lost their lives during her sinking. Today, Alaunia’s wreck rests on its port side in the English Channel at a depth of approximately 36 meters (118 feet). The name RMS Alaunia was revived in 1925 when Cunard commissioned a second vessel bearing the same name, which served until 1957. The original Alaunia’s service highlights her role in wartime logistics and her place within Cunard’s fleet history.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.