RMS Laconia was a Cunard ocean liner built by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, launched on 27 July 1911, with the wife of the U.S. Ambassador Mrs. Whitelaw Reid christening the vessel.[1] Laconia was delivered to the Cunard Line on 12 December 1911, and began service on 20 January 1912.[2] She was the first Cunard ship of that name. She was torpedoed and sunk on 25 February 1917 during World War I; 12 passengers were killed.
Laconia was intended for the Liverpool-Boston service with cruising from New York to the Mediterranean off season.[1] The ship was the first British ship and first North Atlantic liner to be equipped with anti-roll tanks.[1]