Lusitania: A Story of Luxury, Tragedy & Conspiracy.

Lusitania was torpedoed off the coast of Ireland on 7 May 1915. Having departed New York on 1 May, 1915, Lusitania was approaching the coast of Ireland on 7 May 1915 when she was rocked by two explosions as a torpedo fired from the German U Boat U-20 hit the ship. The first explosion was described as: “like a large a door slamming” – however this was followed by a second large, violent explosion which rocked the ship. Lusitania immediately took on a dangerous list and started to sink just 10 miles off Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland, near Cobh. Captain Turner remained on the Lusitania’s bridge, giving orders which included launching the lifeboats. -- ▶ SUBSCRIBE for regular cruise ship updates & maritime history: https://bit.ly/38BR2DK​ ▶ CHECK OUT my Cunard history website: https://www.chriscunard.com/​ ▶ READ: My Maritime History books: https://bit.ly/3nISs3w​ (not sponsored) ▶ CHECK OUT my maritime lectures: https://www.chrisframe.com.au/​ -- Chapters in this video: 00:00 - Introduction to Lusitania 00:22 - Background and Building of Lusitania 00:53 - Lusitania Captures Speed Record 02:16 - Lusitania in World War I 04:41 - The Sinking of Lusitania 06:15 - The Aftermath 08:14 - Conclusion -- Lusitania foundered after only 20 minutes taking 1,200 lives. Much controversy surrounded the loss of Lusitania. The presence of a second explosion was used as wartime propaganda by both Germany (who claimed the Lusitania was carrying illegal munitions) and Britain (who claimed the German U-boat had purposely fired multiple times on the ship). The sinking had the unintended consequence of outraging the United States, which lost 106 people in the disaster. It changed public perception of the War in the USA. Ultimately America entered the war on the side of the allies. Today the Lusitania rests on the sea bed in less than 300ft of water. Contemporary belief is the torpedo likely ignited coal dust in the ship’s bunkers, or struck a high pressure steam pipe, which accounts for the second explosion. For more info, you can read the full story about Cunard's Lusitania at: https://www.chriscunard.com/ Lusitania was a Cunard ship built by John Brown in Clydebank, Scotland. At the same time, her sister Mauretania was constructed at Swan Hunter in Newcastle. While both ships were built off the same general schematic, the split build contract meant that the liners; while generally similar in appearance; were easily distinguishable due to the rival ship yards attempting to out-do each other and build the better ship. As such, Lusitania was slightly smaller than her fleet mate; while her top decks were clutter-free thanks to the use of a novel ‘barrel-style’ ventilation system. Internally, Lusitania’s decor was light, bright and airy; juxtaposed with Mauretania’s darker internal appearance. Of the pair, Lusitania was completed first and on 7 September 1907 she set sail on her maiden voyage. Over 200,000 spectators witnessed the ship’s departure; and on her second voyage the captured the transatlantic speed record from the German liner Deutschland. She was later eclipsed in speed by Mauretania in 1909 which held the Blue Riband until 1929. -- #Lusitania #Cunard #History #maritimehistory #cruise #cruiseship #worldwarI #shipwrecks #cobh #mauretania -- Image Support: Many thanks to Rob Henderson and Doug Cremer for their image support and George Frame. Other images are as follows: - Take up the Sword of Justice: Library of Congress / Public Domain: https://bit.ly/3b8FVTC - Sinking of Lusitania - London Illustrated News - Public Domain: https://bit.ly/3h5tTxZ - Sinking of Lusitania - Ireland Rescue - Public Domain: https://bit.ly/3h7c81m - Lusitania Torpedoed - Public Domain (US): https://bit.ly/3nZKxk3 - Captain William Turner - Public Domain: https://bit.ly/3hfGvma - Lusitania and Mauretania - Cassier's Magazine - Public Domain: https://bit.ly/3h7cvZO Thumbnail Image: Lusitania: https://bit.ly/3586SmO - target symbol via Adobe Spark. Music: YouTube Audio Library