On May 7, 1915, the world was shaken by the sinking of the RMS Lusitania, a British ocean liner torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland. This tragic event claimed the lives of nearly 1,200 passengers and crew, including 128 Americans, and played a significant role in shifting public opinion against Germany during World War I. The submarine responsible for this deadly attack was U-20, one of the German Imperial Navy’s most infamous underwater vessels. The incident highlighted the dangers of unrestricted submarine warfare and its potential consequences on international diplomacy.
Background of the RMS Lusitania
A Luxury Liner of Its Time
The Lusitania was a British ocean liner operated by the Cunard Line. It was launched in 1906 and quickly became known for its speed and elegance. At the time of its maiden voyage, it was the world’s fastest passenger ship. Designed primarily for transatlantic travel, the Lusitania symbolized modern luxury and technological progress.
A Civilian Ship with a Military Twist
Although the Lusitania was a civilian vessel, it was known to carry small amounts of military supplies during wartime. When World War I broke out in 1914, the British government quietly encouraged the use of such ships for transporting munitions and war materials. This decision would later play a crucial role in Germany’s justification for attacking the Lusitania.
The German U-Boat Campaign
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Germany’s strategy during World War I included a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare. This meant that German U-boats would target any ship, military or civilian, that approached the British Isles, without warning. The aim was to cut off supplies to Britain and weaken its war effort.
The Role of U-20
U-20 was a German Type U-19 submarine commanded by Kapitänleutnant Walther Schwieger. This vessel was part of the German navy’s elite underwater fleet. On its seventh patrol, U-20 was deployed to the waters off southern Ireland, where it would make history by attacking one of the most well-known ships of its time.
The Sinking of the Lusitania
The Final Voyage
On May 1, 1915, the Lusitania departed from New York City en route to Liverpool, carrying nearly 2,000 passengers and crew. Despite warnings from the German embassy that ships entering the war zone around Britain could be attacked, most passengers believed that the Lusitania, a fast and renowned vessel, would be safe.
The Fatal Attack
At 2:10 p.m. on May 7, U-20 fired a single torpedo at the Lusitania. The torpedo struck the ship on the starboard side, followed by a second, more powerful internal explosion likely caused by munitions stored onboard. Within 18 minutes, the Lusitania sank into the sea near Kinsale, Ireland.
- 1,198 people died in the disaster.
- Among the dead were 128 Americans, including prominent figures like Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt.
- 761 people survived the sinking.
U-20’s Perspective
Kapitänleutnant Schwieger recorded the attack in his logbook, noting how the torpedo hit was followed by a much larger explosion. He expressed surprise at the speed with which the Lusitania went down and observed passengers and crew scrambling for lifeboats. Schwieger later faced both praise and criticism for his actions, depending on one’s perspective on the war.
International Reaction and Aftermath
Outrage in the United States
The death of American citizens led to widespread condemnation in the United States. Although President Woodrow Wilson maintained a policy of neutrality, the Lusitania’s sinking shifted American public opinion and was a key factor that eventually led to U.S. involvement in the war in 1917.
Germany’s Justification
Germany claimed that the Lusitania was a legitimate target because it was carrying war materials. Indeed, the ship’s cargo included small arms ammunition and other supplies. However, critics argued that targeting a civilian vessel without warning was a violation of international law and basic human decency.
Changes in Naval Policy
In response to the outrage, Germany temporarily halted its policy of unrestricted submarine warfare. However, the policy would be reinstated in 1917, further escalating tensions and contributing to the global conflict.
Legacy of U-20 and the Lusitania
What Happened to U-20?
After sinking the Lusitania, U-20 continued its operations until it ran aground off the coast of Denmark in November 1916. The crew scuttled the submarine to prevent its capture. The wreck of U-20 remained visible for decades and served as a physical reminder of one of the war’s most controversial moments.
Historical Significance
- The sinking is often cited as a turning point in public sentiment during World War I.
- It underscored the destructive power of submarine warfare.
- It highlighted the ethical and strategic dilemmas of modern naval combat.
Commemoration and Investigation
Over the years, numerous investigations and dives to the Lusitania wreck have taken place. These explorations aimed to determine the cause of the second explosion and to examine whether the ship was indeed carrying significant military supplies. The findings have been debated, but the event remains a focal point in discussions about war ethics and naval warfare.
Ethical Implications
Was It a War Crime?
The sinking of the Lusitania sparked debates about whether the act constituted a war crime. While Germany maintained that the ship was a military target, the presence of civilians made the attack morally controversial. International law at the time prohibited attacks on civilian ships without warning, making the event legally questionable.
Civilian vs. Military Targets
This event blurred the line between military and civilian targets in warfare. It raised questions that remain relevant today: How should civilians be protected during war? Are there ever justifiable reasons to target dual-use vessels? These ethical questions continue to be explored by historians and legal scholars.
The German U-boat U-20 and its sinking of the Lusitania marked one of the most consequential moments in naval warfare during World War I. It demonstrated the devastating power of submarines, the blurred lines between civilian and military targets, and the profound effects such acts can have on international relations. The legacy of the Lusitania continues to remind the world of the high cost of war and the importance of maintaining ethical standards, even in times of conflict. While U-20 is long gone, its actions and the debates they provoked continue to echo through history.