The Attack on the RMS Lusitania and World War I
RMS Lusitania was a British ocean liner sunk by a German U-boat in May 1915. The attack killed more than 1000 passengers and crew. The victims included U.S. citizens, which contributed to America’s entry into World War I a few years later. Lusitania was known for her speed, sometimes referred to as “Greyhound of the Seas,” however the German submarine U-20 sunk her with a single torpedo. Although she flew a neutral flag and was a civilian ship, she was sailing through hostile waters. The sinking of a civilian ship with neutral status, sailing from the United States, caused outrage in the international community. Additionally, more than a hundred Americans were killed, resulting in public calls to enter the War against Germany.
A Second Explosion on RMS Lusitania
A second explosion occurred after the first and only torpedo struck. Some believe this to be the real cause of the sinking. This second explosion, and the rapid foundering of the ship less than twenty minutes later, resulted in conspiracy theories. An ongoing debate ensued as to the real cause of the disaster. While cargo manifests listed small arms munitions, there were some even more suspicious items. These items resulted in questions as to whether the documents fully reflected the entirety of the armament cargo. Given that the United States was already supplying munitions and other support to the British war effort, its possible that more significant munitions were onboard. These undocumented munitions could have caused the second and fatal explosion.
The RMS Lusitania Was Modern in Her Day
Before sinking, the passenger liner crossed the Atlantic more than 200 times on her regular route between Liverpool, England and New York City. Launched in 1906, Lusitania was almost eight hundred feet long and ninety feet tall. She carried nearly 2000 passengers and crew. The Ship traveled at more than 25 knots, which meant she crossed the Atlantic in less than five days when traveling at top speed. She was outfitted with electric lighting, elevators, a wireless telegraph, and a newly invented marine steam turbine to power her engines with greater efficiency.
Conspiracy theories of RMS Lusitania’s Sinking
A number of factors prolonged the debate as to the real chain of events that led to the death of so many civilians. The Lusitania had not been warned about recent submarine attacks in the area. Additionally, the captain did not order evasive maneuvers. Also, navy ships did not come to protect the cruise ship, despite the danger. Theories range from the suspicious second explosion to speculation that the British Admiralty deliberately put the civilian ship in the path of hostilities. The Ship was also outfitted with gun mounts. Although there were no guns, her adaptability to become a warship might have called into question her civilian status. Its possible some or all of these factors were arranged deliberately. The motivation for this would be to nudge the neutral America into joining the War.