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- RMS Lusitania during the Great War -


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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment

RMS Lusitania



16th Jan 1915 

22nd Apr 1915 German Embassy issues warning against Atlantic travel  

Warning in the press, adjacent to an advertisement for Lusitania's return voyage.

Notice!

"Travellers intending to embark on the Atlantic voyage are reminded that a state of war exists between Germany and her allies and Great Britain and her allies; that the zone of war includes the waters adjacent to the British Isles; that, in accordance with formal notice given by the Imperial German Government, vessels flying the flag of Great Britain, or any of her allies, are liable to destruction in those waters and that travellers sailing in the war zone on the ships of Great Britain or her allies do so at their own risk."

Imperial German Embassy, Washington, D.C. 22 April 1915

7th May 1915 RMS Lusitania sunk  The Cunard liner RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by the German U-boat, U-20, 11 miles off the Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland, and sank in 18 minutes with the loss of 1,198 lives. 761 people were rescued. The sinking of the liner turned public opinion in many countries against Germany and contributed to the American entry into the Great War, despite the argument that the ship was a legitimate military target as she was carrying a large quantity of rifle ammunition and other supplies necessary for a war economy, as well as over 1,200 civilian passengers.

Her Captain, Walter Schwitzer, made the following entry in his log: "The ship stops immediately and heals over to starboard quickly, immersing simultaneously at the bow. It appears as if the ship were going to capsize very shortly. Great confusion is rife on board; the boats are made ready and some of them lowered into the water. In connection therewith great panic must have reigned; some boats, full to capacity are rushed from above, touch the water with either stem or stern first and founder immediately."

22nd Nov 1915 Compensation Offered  The German Government offers compensation to the American families of those who lost a family member when the RMS Lusitania was sunk in May. America refuses this offer.

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Want to know more about RMS Lusitania ?


There are:4 articles tagged RMS Lusitania available in our Library

  These include information on officers service records, letters, diaries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.


Those known to have served in

RMS Lusitania

during the Great War 1914-1918.

  • Barry W.. Fmn. (d.7th May 1915)
  • Brennan Patrick. Greaser. (d.7th May 1915)

The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List

Records of RMS Lusitania from other sources.


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Want to know more about RMS Lusitania ?


There are:3 items tagged RMS Lusitania available in our Library

  These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.






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