The American Liner "Lusitania" Entering New York Harbour
This stunningly-photographed newsreel item captures the majestic but ill-fated RMS Lusitania in happier days.
RMS Lusitania was one of the most luxurious liners of the age, and certainly the fastest plying the Atlantic (Liverpool - New York) route. Her capacity to attract celebrity passengers made her comings and goings extra newsworthy. This stunningly-photographed newsreel item captures her halfway through her all-too-short life: tragically, she would be sunk four years later by a German U-boat.
The title announcing that the "Lusitania has entered our port", suggests that this newsreel item was intended for a local American audience.
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The Sinking of RMS Lusitania
Remembering one of Britain's worst maritime disasters and a pivotal moment of World War One.
It was the worst maritime disaster of World War I so far: 1,197 souls were lost when the Cunard liner RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by German U-boat 20 off Ireland's south coast on the 7th May 1915. The mighty Lusitania, once one of the proudest vessels in Cunard's fleet, took just 18 minutes to sink. The tragedy had profound repercussions on the international stage, sparking anti-German riots in Britain and outrage across the globe. The death of 148 American citizens started a process that ultimately led to neutral America entering the war on the Allied side.
This small collection gathers together films of the Lusitania, from her heyday as one of Britain's most popular luxury liners, to reportage of her sinking and its aftermath, and the official commemorations on the anniversary of the tragedy. The films highlight some of the issues surrounding the disaster, from the personal tragedies to official reactions and the Lusitania's use as a powerful symbol in war propaganda.
7 videos in this collection
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The Sinking of the Lusitania
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John Bull's Animated Sketchbook No. 4
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Anti-German Riots in Liverpool following the Loss of 'Lusitania'
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Funeral of the Lusitania Victims
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Remember the Lusitania!
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