The British ship called the Lusitania made its first voyage in 1907. The British wanted it to be a ship that would serve the war efforts. A warning had been issued by the Germans on May 1, 1915, and it concerned passenger ships just like the Lusitania. And it was on this very day, this ship left New York City for Liverpool with 1959 passengers and crew aboard (and hidden ammunition). They were certain they could outrun any German submarine.
On this date in 1915, there was fog that prevented the ship from going full speed. Once the ship entered the Irish Sea, it was doomed. There was a German submarine waiting for it. And about 2:00 P.M., it was torpedoed. And it exploded. Within 18 minutes, it had sunk, and 1924 died--114 were Americans.
For more information, please check out:
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/snpwwi2.htm
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/on-this-day/May-June-08/On-This-Day--Germany-Sinks-British-Liner-Lusitania.html
I don't know if I ever knew of this disaster. It seems we learn some of these events in school and then just forget about them. 1924 people dead, how horrible. Thank you for teaching me something and for remembering those that were effected by this tragedy.
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