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The Lusitania carried a healthy complement of American passengers when she departed New York for Liverpool on May 1, 1915, despite a published warning from the German authorities that appeared in U.S. newspapers the morning of her departure.
The Lusitania sets sail from New York. Credit
By this time a number of British merchant ships had been sunk by German subs, but the famous liner's speed still seemed the best guarantee of safety. Certainly her captain and crew should have been on high alert. As the Lusitania neared the end of her crossing, a German U-boat sank three British ships in the waters south of Ireland through which she was about to sail, and he received repeated warnings that U-boats were active on his intended course. Yet on May 7, as the Lusitania entered the most dangerous part of her passage, Captain William Turner actually slowed down, apparently worried by patchy fog.
In fact, Turner was ignoring or at least bending every one of the Admiralty's directives for evading German submarines. He was steaming too close to shore, where U-boats loved to lurk, instead of in the relative safety of the open channel. He was sailing at less than top speed, and he wasn't zigzagging (later he claimed to believe that zigzagging was a tactic to be adopted only after a U-boat was sighted). In his defense, it must be stated that Turner was steering the Lusitania farther from shore than had the ship's previous commander on several wartime crossings. And his many years as a merchant captain undoubtedly inclined him to trust his own instincts over bureaucratic directives he didn't fully understand. It can also be argued that so important a ship merited a destroyer escort for the most perilous part of its voyage.
Whether or not Turner's behavior can be justified, it doomed his ship.
The Lusitania is struck by a torpedo. Credit
When U-20 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Walther Schwieger found a huge four-stacker in its sights just south of Queenstown, Ireland, it was able to kill her with a single torpedo, penetrating the hull just below the waterline. The initial explosion set off a violent secondary blast. The ship sank in 18 minutes, with a lost of 1,195 of the 1,959 on board, including 123 Americans. Captain Turner was washed clear of the bridge as the ship sank, and survived after spending more than three hours in the water. The lost of the Lusitania provoked great outrage in the United States and helped create the climate of public opinion that would later allow America to join the war. It also marked the end of any delusions that the "civilized" manners of 19th century warfare could survive into the 20th.
What else can I help you with?
Which was the most compelling cause of the war of 1812?
The three main causes of the War of 1812 were: 1. British impressment of American sailors. 2. British violations of American neutrality by seizing American merchant ships through their rigorous enforcement of their naval blockade of French-dominated Europe. 3. Alleged British conspiring with American Indian tribes.
What was the last American war against the british?
the war of 1812
Why is the war of 1812 called the war of 1812?
The War of 1812 began in 1812. It used to be referred to as the War of 1812-1814, but that name became too cumbersome and ultimately, through general usage, was shortened to the War of 1812.
How was the US able to maintain neutrality during the war between Britain and France even when Britain made it different?
The US took advantage of the fact that Britain and France were at war by invading Canada in 1812, they did not stay neutral.
Why were Americans angry with British at the beginning of the war of 1812?
The US was mad at Britain which caused the War of 1812. The British took American ship and cargo, they were forcing American sailors to work on their boats after seizing America's. They were ignoring our neutrality with the war with France. The still treated us like a colony, even though we were independent and so much more!
Which was the most compelling cause of the war of 1812?
The three main causes of the War of 1812 were: 1. British impressment of American sailors. 2. British violations of American neutrality by seizing American merchant ships through their rigorous enforcement of their naval blockade of French-dominated Europe. 3. Alleged British conspiring with American Indian tribes.
What events drew the US away from neutrality?
The War of 1812, western expansion, and finally the sinking of the Lusitania dragging America into it's first world war.
What day did the war of 1812 begin?
The United States declared war on Great Britain on June 18th, 1812, signifying the beginning of the War of 1812. James Madison also thought of expanding the U.S. into Canada, as a result the White House was burned down by Canada. the war of 1812 also came to be known as the second war of independence.
What has the author Louis Renault written?
Louis Renault has written: 'First violations of international law by Germany' -- subject(s): Neutrality, World War, 1914-1918, Belgium
What has the author Mountague Bernard written?
Mountague Bernard has written: 'A historical account of the neutrality of Great Britain during the American Civil War' -- subject(s): Neutrality, Victorian, History 'A historical account of the neutrality of Great Britain during the American Civil War' -- subject(s): Neutrality, Foreign relations, History 'A lecture on alleged violations of neutrality by England in the present war' -- subject(s): Neutrality, Privateering 'Two lectures on the present American war' -- subject(s): History, Foreign public opinion, Addresses, sermons 'Remarks on some late decisions respecting the colonial church' -- subject(s): Accessible book 'A historical account of the neutrality of Great Britain during the American Civil War' -- subject(s): Neutrality, Victorian, History 'Four Lectures on Subjects Connected with Diplomacy'
What was the last American war against the british?
the war of 1812
Why is the war of 1812 called the war of 1812?
The War of 1812 began in 1812. It used to be referred to as the War of 1812-1814, but that name became too cumbersome and ultimately, through general usage, was shortened to the War of 1812.
How did Washington deal with Britain's policy of impressment?
the war of 1812 .
What was the Month of the war of 1812 was declared?
The war of 1812 was declared in June of 1812.
How was the US able to maintain neutrality during the war between Britain and France even when Britain made it different?
The US took advantage of the fact that Britain and France were at war by invading Canada in 1812, they did not stay neutral.
What war was going on in the year 1812?
The war of 1812.
What year was the War of 1812?
The War of 1812 was declared on Britain on July 17, 1812.
