Why was the Lusitania carrying ammunition?

“The size of the shipment was significant and therefore resulted in a valid charge that the ship was carrying war material and as such qualified her as a legitimate target for the German submarine,” said Gregg Bemis, a Santa Fe venture capitalist and sometime Republican candidate for Congress and the state Legislature.

What did the Germans say they would warn before they sank ships?

Sussex Incident The German government responded with the so-called Sussex pledge (May 4, 1916), agreeing to give adequate warning before sinking merchant and passenger ships and to provide for the safety of passengers and crew.

Why did the Germans sank the Lusitania?

It was revealed that the Lusitania was carrying about 173 tons of war munitions for Britain, which the Germans cited as further justification for the attack. The United States eventually sent three notes to Berlin protesting the action, and Germany apologized and pledged to end unrestricted submarine warfare.

Why was Germany firing on ships without warning?

In 1917, Germany became convinced that it could defeat the Allied Forces by instituting unrestricted submarine warfare before the United States could enter the war.

How was the Sussex Pledge broken?

This promise was broken on 24 March 1916 when a German submarine torpedoed the ferry S.S. Sussex which sustained heavy damage, killing fifty and injuring hundreds, including three Americans.

Did anyone survive the Lusitania sinking?

Of the 1,960 verified people on board Lusitania, 767 survived. Four survivors (marked with “*”) died of trauma related to the sinking shortly afterwards, reducing the number saved to 763.

Did the captain of the Lusitania survive?

Captain William Turner (1856 – 1933), 58, was commander of the Lusitania when the ship was torpedoed. Turner stayed at his post throughout the sinking and stayed with the ship until she sank from under him. Captain Turner was rescued from the water by Bluebell.

How cold was the water when the Lusitania sank?

52 °F
Lusitania sank in only 18 minutes, at a distance of 11.5 miles (19 km) off the Old Head of Kinsale. Despite being relatively close to shore, it took several hours for help to arrive from the Irish coast. By the time help arrived, however, many in the 52 °F (11 °C) water had succumbed to the cold.