| Admin History | On the outbreak of World War One in 1914, the White Star liner RMS Laurentic was requisitioned by the Admiralty as an armed merchant cruiser. On 25 January 1917 she struck a mine off Lough Swilly on the northern coast of County Donegal, Ireland and sank with the loss of 350 persons. HMS Laurentic was travelling to New York and her cargo included a substantial amount of gold bullion that was later recovered. |