WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -On May 7, 1915, the German submarine (U-boat) U-20 torpedoed and sank the Lusitania, a swift-moving British cruise liner traveling from New York to Liverpool, England. Of the 1, 959 men, women, and children on board, 1, 195 perished, including 123 Americans.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Lusitania became a focus for British and American propaganda and was used to bolster recruitment efforts. However, Germany claimed that the sinking was justified because munitions were being carried on board.

Detailed explanation-3: -Were Lusitania and Titanic sister ships? A: No. This is a common misconception because Lusitania and Titanic are two of the most infamous maritime disasters in history, so they are often linked in people’s minds. The owners of Lusitania and Titanic were separate companies and rivals.

Detailed explanation-4: -Of the known 1, 960 verified people on board Lusitania, 1, 193 perished. This number includes the 3 stowaways arrested after the ship left New York. An additional 4 people (marked with “*”) died of trauma related to the sinking shortly afterwards, bringing the total lost to 1, 197.

Detailed explanation-5: -The ship sank within 20 minutes of being hit by a German torpedo. There has been much speculation about its quick demise, many pointing to the second explosion that occurred after the initial torpedo strike. Some believe damage to the steam room and pipes caused the latter blast, hastening the Lusitania’s sinking.