The Lusitania (31,500 tonnes) was built for Cunard at John Brown’s yard on the Clydebank and entered service in 1907 on the trans-atlantic route with her sister ship the Mauretania.  On her second crossing, the Lusitania regained the blue ribbon for Britain. 

 On the 1st May 1915, she sailed from New York bound for Liverpool, with a complement of 2000, including passengers and crew.  The day before her departure the Imperial German Embassy in Washington issued warnings through the newspapers, that vessels flying the flag of Britain would be subject to destruction if they entered the war zone encompassing the British Isles. 

 On the evening of the 6th May, forewarnings were given by the British Admiralty of U-boat activity off the southeast coast of Ireland.  Extra watches were posted and the ships lifeboats were uncovered and swung out of their davits.  Captain Turner for some unknown reason did not adhere to Admiralty instructions, which was to maintain maximum speed and continue on a zigzag course.  Instead the vessel slowed down in order to take bearings off the old Head of Kinsale.  This was around midday on a fine calm sunny spring day, 7th May 1915. 

 The German U-Boat, U-20, under the command of Lieutenant Walther Schweiger, recognising the British vessel, dived at full speed and set course to intercept and attack. As the Lusitania crossed his bow, the order was given to fire.  One single torpedo hit her starboard side, directly below the bridge.  The vessel began to list almost immediately.  Within minutes a second explosion ripped apart the bow section and the vessel sank within 18 minutes.  Survivors maintain that neither a second torpedo or a boiler caused this explosion, but the elicit wartime cargo that she was carrying in her forward hold.  1,198 people in total lost their lives that day.  The sinking of the Lusitania is surrounded by myths, lies, propaganda and more controversy than any other vessel before or since.