When the British passenger ship Lusitania left New York on 1 May 1915, more than 1,900 passengers and crew were on board. The ship was sailing across the Atlantic to Liverpool. Although the First World War had begun the previous year, many passengers believed that a large civilian liner would not be attacked. The Lusitania was famous for its speed and luxury, and some people thought it could escape from any German submarine.

However, the voyage was dangerous. Germany had declared the seas around Britain a war zone. German officials had even placed a warning in American newspapers, saying that ships flying the British flag might be destroyed. Some passengers noticed the warning, but most still decided to travel. The ship was carrying civilians from several countries, including 128 Americans.

Historical record The attack occurred off the southern coast of Ireland. The liner sank in approximately eighteen minutes.

On the afternoon of 7 May, the Lusitania was approaching the coast of Ireland. A German submarine, U-20, was operating in the area. Its commander, Walther Schwieger, saw the liner and ordered a torpedo to be fired. The torpedo struck the ship on its right side. Soon afterwards, a second, larger explosion was heard inside the vessel. Historians still debate exactly what caused this explosion.

The ship began to lean sharply and sank in only about eighteen minutes. There was not enough time to launch all the lifeboats safely. Some boats fell into the sea, while others landed on passengers below. The water was cold, and many people could not swim. Local fishermen and rescue boats hurried to the scene, but 1,198 people lost their lives. Only 761 survived.

The German government argued that the Lusitania was a legitimate military target because it was carrying rifle ammunition and other war supplies for Britain. The British government stressed that it was a passenger ship with many civilians on board. The tragedy caused anger in Britain and the United States. Newspapers used the story to present Germany as cruel and dangerous.

The sinking did not immediately bring the United States into the war. America remained neutral for almost two more years and entered the conflict in April 1917. Nevertheless, the disaster changed American public opinion and made relations with Germany much worse. Today, the Lusitania is remembered as a powerful example of how civilian lives can be affected by modern warfare.