The Lusitania was a Cunard Line ship.  “It was a floating palace,” said one of its passengers.  The Lusitania left New York City on May 1, 1915, and headed toward Queenstown, Ireland.  Since World War I was going on at the time, the German Embassy sent a notice saying that they needed to watch out for German warships and submarines in certain zones of war.  But they ignored the warning.

When the Lusitania entered a war zone, Captain William Turner slowed down instead of speeding up.  This put the Lusitania in great danger.  When the German submarine U-20 saw the Lusitania, it fired a torpedo.  The captain of the submarine did not expect one torpedo to sink the great ship, but it did.  Many people on the boat were shocked, and were knocked over by the huge explosion.  As soon as the torpedo hit, Captain Turner sent an S.O.S. message.  The lighthouse keeper also heard the explosion, and immediately notified the coast guard.  Fishing boats were the first to arrive.  They went back and forth, picking up and letting off people.  Most people were left in the water for more than four hours, which caused most of the deaths.  Most survivors were taken to Queenstown.  Many of the dead bodies were laid out for friends and relatives to identify.  The Lusitania carried 1,959 passengers, and took 1,195 of them to the bottom of the watery deep.

According to records, the Lusitania was carrying 51 tons of three-inch bullet shells, six million 3.03 caliber rifle bullets, a lot of gun cotton and 200 tons of ammunition.  That is probably the reason it sank in 18 minutes, as well as the reason for the explosion.  Even though it was a luxurious passenger ship, it was being used in the war effort as well.     

Many people wanted President Woodrow Wilson to declare war against Germany for sinking the Lusitania.  President Wilson only sent angry messages to the Germans, which caused them to stop the submarine attacks.  But then, in February of 1917, they started U-boat attacks again.  Finally, on April 6, the United States declared war.  The Lusitania would have her revenge.