1918: Mauretania, Dazzle-ship
Launched in 1906, the British RMS Mauretania was, for five years, the largest ship in the world and, until 1929, the fastest. When the US joined the WWI conflict in 1917, the vessel was deployed to carry many thousands of US troops to Europe until the conclusion of the conflict in November 1918. During this period the Mauretania was provided with two types of "dazzle" camouflage, which used jarring shapes and colours with the intention of disorientating observing enemy craft. These pictures taken in New York City, with American aviators and other troops returning from Europe after the war, on Dec. 2nd, 1918, show the Mauretania in full dazzle - the colors used were olive, black, grey and various blues.
After the War, the Mauretania remained in service until 1934 when Cunard White Star retired the ship. In 1935, she was scrapped.
