RMS Lusitania

Abstract

<p>The sinking of the Royal Mail Ship Lusitania on 7 May 1915 remains an infamous incident among the horrors of the First World War. The significance of the loss lies in the apparently flagrant disregard for the laws of naval warfare early in the war by Germany, as much it does in the tragic and large-scale loss of innocent life aboard a prestigious passenger liner close to its port of destination. Lastly, the Imperial Government must specially point out that on her last trip the Lusitania, as on earlier occasions, had Canadian troops and munitions on board, including no less than 5,400 cases of ammunition destined for the destruction of brave German soldiers. The German government believes that it acts in just self-defence when it seeks to protect the lives of its soldiers by destroying ammunition destined for the enemy with the means of war at its command.</p>