Lusitania Memorial Service held on 97th anniversary - Liverpool

01/15

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Lusitania propeller info. The four original three bladed propellers were replaced with four bladed ones and this increased the ships speed to 26 knots. This propeller was salvaged in 1982.

02/15

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Propeller on the quayside with officials. The tall ship "Kathleen and May" and the Maritime Museum in the background.

03/15

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Despite the blustery weather a crowd gathered to remember the sinking of RMS Lusitania. The edges of the propeller blades appeared battered. Some of this damage may have occured during the sinking and further damage when the ship was mined.

04/15

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The lady being interviewed lost her grand father in the sinking.

05/15

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The welcome was given by Ian Murphy (left), Deputy Director of Merseyside Maritime Museum. David Roberts (right) - historian.

06/15

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Historical overview given by David Roberts.

07/15

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Lusitania - Act of Rememberance led by Father John Williams.

08/15

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Crowd.

09/15

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Former sailor from the White Star Line (their most famous ship was the Titanic which also sank).

10/15

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Flowers were laid at the base of the propeller to remember those lost at sea.

11/15

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Wreath laid at the base of the propeller.

12/15

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Museum curator wearing a red poppy with David Roberts.

13/15

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Cunard Building is seen near the memorial.

14/15

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The remains of Princes Pier - Landing Stage. The Lusitania used to berth in Liverpool every two weeks.

15/15

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The pier is in a poor state of repair.

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The 97th anniversary of the sinking of the Lusitania is commemorated with a small ceremony. RMS Lusitania was a British ocean liner, named after the ancient Roman province of Lusitania, which is part of present day Portugal.

The Cunard liner RMS Lusitania regularly sailed between Liverpool and New York before the First World War. This continued when hostilities commenced. Initially the U-boats mainly attacked naval vessels but this soon changed.

This warning was printed adjacent to an advertisement for Lusitania's return voyage from New York. The warning led to some agitation in the press and worried the ship's passengers and crew. Lusitania departed Pier 54 in New York on 1 May 1915.
Notice!
Travellers intending to embark on the Atlantic voyage are reminded that a state of war exists between Germany and her allies and Great Britain and her allies; that the zone of war includes the waters adjacent to the British Isles; that, in accordance with formal notice given by the Imperial German Government, vessels flying the flag of Great Britain, or any of her allies, are liable to destruction in those waters and that travellers sailing in the war zone on the ships of Great Britain or her allies do so at their own risk.
Imperial German Embassy
Washington, D.C. 22nd April 1915

The liner was sailing from New York to Liverpool. It approached the Irish Sea from the south, where U20 was lurking. RMS Lusitania was hit beneath its bridge by a torpedo from the submarine U20. There was an initial explosion and a larger secondry explosion. There are many theories such as exploding coal dust or ammunition. The ship sank in eighteen minutes, killing 1,198 of the 1,959 people aboard.

The "Act of Rememberance" was held on Monday 7th May 2012 and was openned by Ian Murphy. David Roberts gave a brief historical overview. Father John Williams led the Rememberance.