Pocket watch owned by Captain William Turner

This gold watch belonged to Captain William Turner of RMS Lusitania. It is thought to have been purchased by Captain Turner from Penlington & Batty of St George’s Crescent, Lord Street in Liverpool after a voyage.
He was master of Lusitania on her last voyage. After being swept from the bridge, he struggled in the water for three hours before being rescued. The British Government tried to blame him for the loss of his ship. Although he was cleared by the official enquiry, the bitterness he felt towards the Admiralty would remain until his death in 1933.

Donated by the estate of Sally Wells, nee Turner