HMS Lusitania at the end of her record breaking maiden voyage, Port of New York, Pier 56. September 13, 1907. Courtesy, N.W. Penfield, Panoramic Photographs, Library of Congress, PAN US GEOG - New York no. 181 (E size)
On this day, May 1st, 1915, The HMS Lusitania departed from Pier 54 at noon, on what would be it’s last voyage.
Prior to sailing, on April 22, the German Embassy in Washington, DC, issued a notice, saying: “Notice!
Travellers intending to embark on the Atlantic voyage are reminded that a state of war exists between Germany and her allies and Great Britain and her allies; that the zone of war includes the waters adjacent to the British Isles; that, in accordance with formal notice given by the Imperial German Government, vessels flying the flag of Great Britain, or any of her allies, are liable to destruction in those waters and that travellers sailing in the war zone on the ships of Great Britain or her allies do so at their own risk.
Imperial German Embassy
Washington, D.C. 22nd April 1915
The Cunard Line owned ship, left port 2 hours late, owing to passengers from another ship being forced to change to the Lusitania. The other ship had been requisitioned
Six days later, on Friday, May 7, the ship was torpedoed by German U-boat U-20.
The sinking of the Lusitiania, turned public opinion against the German cause in World War I, and directly contributed to the eventual entry of American Armed Forces into the conflict.
Prior to sailing, on April 22, the German Embassy in Washington, DC, issued a notice, saying: “Notice!
Travellers intending to embark on the Atlantic voyage are reminded that a state of war exists between Germany and her allies and Great Britain and her allies; that the zone of war includes the waters adjacent to the British Isles; that, in accordance with formal notice given by the Imperial German Government, vessels flying the flag of Great Britain, or any of her allies, are liable to destruction in those waters and that travellers sailing in the war zone on the ships of Great Britain or her allies do so at their own risk.
Imperial German Embassy
Washington, D.C. 22nd April 1915
The Cunard Line owned ship, left port 2 hours late, owing to passengers from another ship being forced to change to the Lusitania. The other ship had been requisitioned
Six days later, on Friday, May 7, the ship was torpedoed by German U-boat U-20.
The sinking of the Lusitiania, turned public opinion against the German cause in World War I, and directly contributed to the eventual entry of American Armed Forces into the conflict.
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