Sinking of the Lusitania: Key Events

Date and Location

• Date: Evening of May 6th
• Location: Off the coast of Ireland, entering the war zone

Initial Concerns

• Lusitania enters the war zone without an escort, causing concern among passengers.
• Escorts were avoided as they would slow the Lusitania down, which was not ideal as the ship was nearing Liverpool.

Weather Conditions

• Morning of May 7th: Heavy fog envelops the area.
• Captain Turner slows the ship to sound the fog horn due to poor visibility.
• Uncertainty about the ship’s exact position off the Irish coast.

Navigational Markers

• Passengers notice the Old Head of Kinsale as the fog lifts, marking their proximity to the southern coast of Ireland.
• This sighting provided a sense of safety and excitement among passengers.

U-20 and Captain Schwieger

• Time: 1 PM
• The German U-boat U-20 surfaces, commanded by Captain Schwieger.
• Schwieger identifies a large passenger liner in the distance, stirring the crew.

Warning and Response

• Captain Turner receives a telegram from the British Admiralty about U-boat activity in the Irish Channel.
• The ship had been adjusting its course due to morning fog, making the warning potentially ineffective.
• Turner orders the Lusitania to increase speed towards Liverpool, unintentionally setting it up for attack.

The Attack

• The Lusitania turns its course along the Irish coast, inadvertently positioning itself ideally for Schwieger's attack.
• U-20 waits in position to fire a torpedo at the Lusitania.
• Schwieger attempts a challenging hit on a target running at 22 knots, something unprecedented at this speed.
• The torpedo is launched, traveling at 40 miles per hour, and hits the Lusitania in less than a minute.