When she was launched on June 7, 1906, RMS Lusitania, which had been constructed for England’s Cunard Line, was a marvel of modern ship building. Until her sister ship Mauretania was launched in September 1906, Lusitania, at 787 feet LOA, was the longest ocean liner in service. On her second crossing, she won the Blue Riband, awarded to the passenger liner that crossed the Atlantic Ocean with the highest average speed.
Lusitania made 202 ocean crossings on Cunard’s Liverpool to New York City route during her seven-year career. She could accommodate approximately 2,198 passengers across nine decks and had a top speed of 28 knots. Power was provided by four direct-acting steam turbines capable of producing a total 76,000 horsepower.
On May 7, 1915, a year into World War I, a German U-boat struck the ship with a torpedo 11 miles off the southern coast of Ireland. Lusitania sank within 18 minutes, resulting in the loss of almost 1,200 lives. Among the dead were 128 Americans. which turned U.S. public opinion against Germany. Two years later, America entered the war, turning the tide against Germany.
You can read more about Lusitania in this Soundings’ article.
