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The Lusitania Sinking: Eyewitness Accounts from Survivors

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The Lusitania was a British passenger liner that was traveling from New York City to Liverpool, England. On board were 1,959 passengers and crew members. At 2:10 pm, the Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-boat, U-20, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Walther Schwieger. The torpedo struck the ship's starboard side, near the engine room. The explosion caused a massive hole in the ship's hull, and the Lusitania began to sink rapidly.

The passengers and crew members were thrown into chaos. Many people were killed instantly by the explosion, while others were trapped below deck. Those who were able to make it to the lifeboats were forced to jump into the cold water.

The Lusitania sank in just 18 minutes. Of the 1,959 people on board, only 764 survived. The majority of the victims were women and children.

The Lusitania Sinking: Eyewitness Accounts from Survivors

by Katie Anderson

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The sinking of the Lusitania was a major tragedy, and it had a profound impact on the course of World War I. The United States was outraged by the attack, and it helped to push the country into the war. The sinking of the Lusitania also led to the development of new anti-submarine warfare tactics.

Here are some eyewitness accounts from survivors of the Lusitania sinking:

Charles Fryatt, a survivor: "I was on the boat deck when the torpedo struck. I saw the water shoot up into the air, and then the ship began to sink. I jumped into the water and swam to a lifeboat. I was lucky to survive."
Margaret Mackworth, a survivor: "I was in my cabin when the torpedo struck. I felt the ship shake, and then I heard a loud explosion. I ran out of my cabin and saw people running and screaming. I made my way to the lifeboats, and I was able to get into one of the last ones. I watched as the Lusitania sank, and it was a terrible sight."
William Turner, a crew member: "I was in the engine room when the torpedo struck. I felt the ship shake, and then I heard a loud explosion. I saw water coming in, and I knew that the ship was going to sink. I ran to the lifeboats, but they were all gone. I jumped into the water, and I swam to a piece of wreckage. I clung to the wreckage for hours, until I was rescued by a lifeboat."

The sinking of the Lusitania was a tragedy, but it also helped to change the course of World War I. The United States was outraged by the attack, and it helped to push the country into the war. The sinking of the Lusitania also led to the development of new anti-submarine warfare tactics.

It is important to remember the victims of the Lusitania sinking, and to learn from the mistakes that were made. We must never forget the lessons of history, and we must always strive to prevent future tragedies.

The Lusitania Sinking: Eyewitness Accounts from Survivors

by Katie Anderson

4 out of 5