The Sinking of the Lusitania
The tragic fate of the once-glorious ocean liner and its aftermath.
The torpedoing of RMS Lusitania by a German U-boat was one of the most horrific incidents at sea of WWI. This Gaumont Graphic newsreel was presumably released soon after. Older footage of the formerly glorious liner on the ocean is followed by poignant scenes of the aftermath: the chaos at Cunard's offices as relatives await news, pictures of rescued officers and the first survivors to reach London.
The Lusitania, at one point the world's largest passenger ship, was hit by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland on 7 May 1915. She sank in just 18 minutes, with the loss of 1,198 lives.
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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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