RMS Lusitania. A maritime disaster that changed the history of World War I

Exactly today, May 7, 111 years have passed since the German submarine U-20 torpedoed off the southern coast of Ireland the British transatlantic RMS Lusitania. The 1915 disaster claimed 1198 casualties and became one of the most important maritime events World War I, strongly influencing social sentiment in the United States and the way Germany is perceived by the public.

The tragedy occurred near Old Head of Kinsale, during a liner cruise from New York City to Liverpool. Kaiserliche Marine then led underwater operations without prior warning of Ententa state units, which was part of the German strategy of the so-called unlimited submarine war.

111 anniversary of RMS sinking Lusitania

The anniversary of one of the most famous maritime disasters of the 20th century was recalled in the social media by the Navy Group. Our colleagues publicly described the dramatic events of May 1915, drawing attention to both on the scale of tragedy, as well as its political consequences for the course of World War I.

RMS sinking Lusitania it remains a symbol of the brutalisation of maritime activities. Within just about 18 minutes of the torpedo hit, a modern transatlantic disappeared underwater along with hundreds of passengers and crew members.

A transatlantic who was the pride of British shipping

RMS Lusitania entered service in the colors of the Cunard Line in August 1907. His virgin voyage the unit took place on 7 September of the same year. The ship was created during the fierce rivalry of British and German shipowners for dominance in the Atlantic.

On entry into service of RMS Lusitania was the largest and one of the fastest liners in the world. The transatlantic was 239.8 metres long and 26.7 metres wide, while its gross capacity was 31 550 BRT. The drive provided four Parsons system steam turbines with a power of approximately 76,000 hp, thanks to which the ship developed a speed of over 25 knots.

The unit could have taken more than 2100 passengers on board, while the standard crew had about 850 people. In Times, when intercontinental travel took place primarily by sea, such liners were a symbol of the technological prestige and economic power of ocean shipping developing countries.

18 minutes that changed history

When torpedoed aboard RMS Lusitania There were 1960 people, including 1,264 passengers and 693 crew members. The disaster was consumed 1198 victims, including 128 U.S. citizens.

The scale of the tragedy touched public opinion across the Atlantic and became a major blow to American-German relations. The United States did not enter the war until 1917, but the sinking of RMS Lusitania was one of the events that gradually changed American attitudes towards Germany.

To this day, historians indicate that the tragedy of a liner had not only a military and humanitarian dimension, but also propaganda. Photos and reports of the disaster revolved around the world, becoming one of the most recognizable symbols of the underwater war conducted by Germany during World War I.