description SS Lusitania Overview
RMS Lusitania was a British ocean liner operated by the Cunard Line that held the Blue Riband for the fastest Atlantic crossing early in its career. During World War I, on May 7, 1915, a German U-boat torpedoed and sank the ship off the southern coast of Ireland. The sinking resulted in the deaths of 1,198 passengers and crew, including 128 Americans. The event significantly shifted public opinion in the United States against Germany, contributing to the eventual U.S.
entry into the war.
insights Ranking position
SS Lusitania ranks #1 of 186 in the Shipwreck ranking, ahead of RMS Titanic.
help SS Lusitania FAQ
Why did a German submarine attack Lusitania?
U-20 torpedoed Lusitania off Ireland on 7 May 1915 while Germany was conducting submarine warfare around the British Isles. Germany argued that the Cunard liner was carrying war-related cargo, while passengers were also aboard.
How quickly did Lusitania sink?
Lusitania sank in roughly 18 minutes after the torpedo strike and a second internal explosion. The rapid list made many lifeboats extremely difficult to launch.
Did the sinking of Lusitania bring the United States into World War I?
The disaster outraged the American public and intensified diplomatic pressure on Germany, but the United States did not declare war immediately. US entry came in April 1917, nearly two years later.
Where is the wreck of Lusitania?
The wreck lies off the Old Head of Kinsale on Ireland's southern coast. It rests at a comparatively accessible depth of around 90 meters but is badly deteriorated and partially collapsed.
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