Latest news with #Lusitania
The Herald Scotland
08-05-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
1,198 passengers and crew perished in a disaster that shocked world
The ship gently eased out untethered into the Hudson River as the passengers joyfully waved farewell to those on shore. Like all Scottish immigrants to America, James had come with great hope. In America he discovered and embraced abundant opportunities. Though he found what he sought, he never truly left Scotland. As he began this trans-Atlantic crossing at 36 years-old, images of loved ones and special places stirred within him. A German submarine torpedo struck the Lusitania (Image: © Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image) On May 7 in the early afternoon the Lusitania came to the southern coastline of Ireland about 12 miles away from Old Head of Kinsale. Excitement permeated through the ship as it prepared to edge around the coast up through St George Channel into the Irish Sea then to Liverpool. Passengers then heard a loud explosive pop followed seconds later by a second that rocked the ship and made it list. A German submarine torpedo had struck. In a matter of seconds, the joy of cruising across Ireland and moving toward the final stages of the journey shifted to terror and fear. The evacuation was chaotic as water rapidly filled the ship. Only 8 of the 22 wooden life boats made it into the water safely. James was one of the last to leave the ship. The images he saw in the water haunted him. One in particular was a man and his 18-month old infant child. James described how the man had got hold of a hatch cover and had lifted the child on to it. The man was desperately trying to balance the child while holding on for his own life. The waters then swallowed the two up and they were gone. The Glasgow built Lusitania dipped below the water's surface and passed down to the sea's bottom - its final resting place. In all 1,198 passengers and crew perished. Read more James Haldane was first reported dead, but survived. He was the only one to have seen both the birth of the Lusitania as a worker on the project at Clydebank and the death of it that tragic May day. The event so outraged James that upon his return to America, he enlisted in the Canadian Army to avenge and honour those lost. He pledged his life to fight for their memory. James was brave in his faithful commitment to that pledge. While on the front in France this courageous Scot was killed in action in August 1918. He is memorialised alongside many others at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial at Givenchy-en-Gohelle, France. There are many ways we might consider the story of the Lusitania and the ship's eventual demise during this time of remembrance. I choose to remember those who built it, sailed on it, and those innocents who tragically lost their lives that horrible day in May of 1915. I am also reminded as I pondered the story of James Haldane that each day is a precious gift. On certain days the current swings quickly from an unassuming calm to one of deep unrest – the wind shifts directions in an instant from joy to grief. Today I simply write this final sentence feeling gratitude for the day, the moments, and the remaining journey I have been granted alongside thoughtful and decent people. Ian Houston is a regular writer for the Herald. He has spent his career as an advocate for diplomacy, trade, poverty alleviation, and intercultural dialogue. He promotes commercial, educational, artistic, and charitable linkages between Scotland, UK, and the US. He is an Honorary Professor at the University of the West of Scotland. He is located in the Washington, DC area. His views are his own.
The Herald Scotland
07-05-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
110 years ago today, we witnessed a disaster that shocked the world
The ship gently eased out untethered into the Hudson River as the passengers joyfully waved farewell to those on shore. Like all Scottish immigrants to America, James had come with great hope. In America he discovered and embraced abundant opportunities. Though he found what he sought, he never truly left Scotland. As he began this trans-Atlantic crossing at 36 years-old, images of loved ones and special places stirred within him. A German submarine torpedo struck the Lusitania (Image: © Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image) On May 7 in the early afternoon the Lusitania came to the southern coastline of Ireland about 12 miles away from Old Head of Kinsale. Excitement permeated through the ship as it prepared to edge around the coast up through St George Channel into the Irish Sea then to Liverpool. Passengers then heard a loud explosive pop followed seconds later by a second that rocked the ship and made it list. A German submarine torpedo had struck. In a matter of seconds, the joy of cruising across Ireland and moving toward the final stages of the journey shifted to terror and fear. The evacuation was chaotic as water rapidly filled the ship. Only 8 of the 22 wooden life boats made it into the water safely. James was one of the last to leave the ship. The images he saw in the water haunted him. One in particular was a man and his 18-month old infant child. James described how the man had got hold of a hatch cover and had lifted the child on to it. The man was desperately trying to balance the child while holding on for his own life. The waters then swallowed the two up and they were gone. The Glasgow built Lusitania dipped below the water's surface and passed down to the sea's bottom - its final resting place. In all 1,198 passengers and crew perished. Read more James Haldane was first reported dead, but survived. He was the only one to have seen both the birth of the Lusitania as a worker on the project at Clydebank and the death of it that tragic May day. The event so outraged James that upon his return to America, he enlisted in the Canadian Army to avenge and honour those lost. He pledged his life to fight for their memory. James was brave in his faithful commitment to that pledge. While on the front in France this courageous Scot was killed in action in August 1918. He is memorialised alongside many others at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial at Givenchy-en-Gohelle, France. There are many ways we might consider the story of the Lusitania and the ship's eventual demise during this time of remembrance. I choose to remember those who built it, sailed on it, and those innocents who tragically lost their lives that horrible day in May of 1915. I am also reminded as I pondered the story of James Haldane that each day is a precious gift. On certain days the current swings quickly from an unassuming calm to one of deep unrest – the wind shifts directions in an instant from joy to grief. Today I simply write this final sentence feeling gratitude for the day, the moments, and the remaining journey I have been granted alongside thoughtful and decent people. Ian Houston is a regular writer for the Herald. He has spent his career as an advocate for diplomacy, trade, poverty alleviation, and intercultural dialogue. He promotes commercial, educational, artistic, and charitable linkages between Scotland, UK, and the US. He is an Honorary Professor at the University of the West of Scotland. He is located in the Washington, DC area. His views are his own.
Irish Examiner
07-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
Cobh's proud history is told in three top quality museums
Few towns in Ireland treasure their history as does Cobh. There is so much to value. From the early 19th century, as Cork asserted its status as a port of strategic importance for North Atlantic routes, the harbour often accommodated up to 300 ships. Many were British naval and commercial ships stopping off for repairs and refuelling. Tall ships too dropped anchor, when transporting prisoners to Australia or bringing emigrants to America, with export cargo departing for all corners of the globe. Of the six million emigrants who left Ireland from 1848 to 1950, half departed from Cobh. In 1849, Queen Victoria's visit saw the town named Queenstown in her honour. Later, Cobh would become synonymous with Titanic and Lusitania as the curtain of history rose to reveal tragedy of global proportions. Cradled within these events was a social, political and economic landscape that could not save the population from starvation and emigration. Cobh, as a gateway, reflected the turmoil, while offering a route to escape it. As the nation fought determinedly and successfully to survive, Cobh was at the coalface of national evolution and global tragedies. Inside the Cobh Heritage Centre, interactive exhibitions trace the stories of Irish emigrants, convict ships, and the final hours of the Titanic and Lusitania. The centre's atmospheric setting and detailed displays make it a must-visit for anyone curious about Ireland's seafaring and emigrant heritage. Picture Chani Anderson The town not only treasures this legacy, but also shares it through ever-evolving, off-street exhibitions and tours. Cobh Heritage Centre The Queenstown Story is one of several themed tours and exhibitions at the Cobh Heritage Centre. As an interactive, multimedia experience, the Story remembers three centuries of emigration, including the experiences of over 2.5m Irish people who emigrated via Cobh on board steamers and ocean liners. Their lives before and during their departure are poignantly portrayed, as are those journeys on what became known as coffin ships during the height of the Famine from 1848 to 1850. Indentured 17th century Irish servants taken to the U.S. and West Indian colonies are remembered, along with the early Irish settlers in Canada, Brazil, Argentina and America. Mass transportations to Australia are re-lived, as are the Titanic and Lusitania tragedies, which are both strongly connected to Cobh. Individual stories abound, such as doomed Jeremiah Burke throwing a final note in a bottle off Titanic and which was washed up close to his home in west Cork. A bronze sculpture of emigrants stands poignantly outside the Cobh Heritage Centre, overlooking the harbour from which millions departed Ireland's shores. Framed by boats in the background, the scene captures the bittersweet legacy of emigration that defines Cobh's identity as Ireland's last port of call for so many hopeful journeys: Picture Chani Anderson The last photos of Titanic, taken by Catholic priest Francis Browne, are also displayed at a centre that is simply a magnet to the emotions. School and group tours available. Advance booking available online. Open: Daily 9.30am-5pm. Tel: (021) 481 3591 Web: Titanic Experience The Titanic Experience marks the most famous maritime disaster of them all. Using trained personnel, audio visual displays and a sharp eye for detail, the museum creates an 'immersive' experience that comprises a guided tour and access to an unrivalled exhibition. A typical third-class sleeping area on view at the Titanic Experience, situated in the original White Star Line ticket office in Cobh. Notably, the museum occupies the old White Star Line building and the remnants of the dock where the passengers boarded tenders to Titanic remain. Central to the attraction are the personal stories of the 123 men, women and children who boarded Titanic in Cobh. On arrival, visitors receive a boarding card with details of one of those passengers, before undertaking a guided tour in which they experience 'the sights, sounds and smells of the harbour as it was in 1912'. The tour evolves into guides sharing passengers' stories, life on board the luxurious ship and the tragedy as seen through the eyes of survivors. The exhibition area teems with stories of sadness and survival, along with cabin recreations, a touch screen documentary and an interview with a survivor. Visitors learn of Margaret Rice and her five young children who perished, of the Odell family who disembarked in Cobh, of a stoker who secretly and fortuitously sneaked ashore and a Wexford-born chief purser who went down with the ship. Titanic Experience, Cobh, a replica of a first-class cabin on the liner. Artefacts include a chair from the rescue ship Carpathia, an original letter from a surviving passenger and original dinnerware from the White Star Line. On leaving, the visitor learns what was the fate of their assumed passenger. Advance booking available online. Open: 9am-6pm Tel: (021) 481 4412 Web: Cobh Museum Small and intimate, the Cobh Museum occupies a converted church nestled on a hillside close to Cobh Heritage Centre. A voluntary enterprise, its mission statement is 'to preserve and interpret' local history and to 'collect, record and preserve' artefacts and information pertaining specifically to the social, cultural and commercial history of the area. Housed in a former Scots Presbyterian Church, the Cobh Museum offers a more intimate look at local history. Its exhibits include personal artefacts, naval memorabilia, and archival documents that reflect the town's deep connections to the sea, religion, and the changing face of East Cork over the centuries. It too explores the Titanic connection, with a centrepiece featuring the pilots' log book, detailing the exact arrival and departure times of Titanic at Cork harbour on 11th April 1912. The museum meticulously shines a light on Cobh's social and political past but it's excellently researched exhibitions also focus on the town's military connections. A historic Cunard Line plaque hangs in the doorway of the Cobh Museum, marking the town's vital role in transatlantic travel. Cobh served as a key port for Cunard vessels, and the plaque is a lasting reminder of the town's deep ties to maritime history and global migration. Picture: Chani Anderson These currently include exhibitions on the sinking of the Lusitania, WW1 American naval forces in Queenstown and the scuttling of the German gun-running ship, the Aud, in Cork Harbour days prior to the 1916 Rising. Roger Casement and the Rising itself are also portrayed. Cobh's commercial life throughout the 20th century and encompassing two world wars, is also the focus of a current exhibition. A black and white photograph displayed in the Cobh Museum offers a glimpse into the town's history. It is wonderfully explored in a friendly, intimate setting that is tireless in research and rich in fascinating facts and paraphernalia. Open: Monday-Saturday, 11am-1pm and 2pm-5pm. Tel: (021) 481 4240. Web:
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First Post
07-05-2025
- General
- First Post
History Today: How the course of World War I changed after British ship 'Lusitania' sank
One of the most important incidents of World War I took place on May 7, 1915, when the British ocean liner, RMS Lusitania, was hit by a German submarine. It killed nearly 1,200 people, of whom 128 were Americans. On this day in 1945, Germany unconditionally surrendered all German forces to the Allies at Reims, northern France, leading to the war officially coming to an end read more The sinking of the British ocean liner RMS Lusitania is considered to be a turning point in World War I. It was after this incident on May 7, 1915, that the United States, which had maintained neutrality in the war, decided to enter it. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On this day in 1945, Germany signed the unconditional surrender of all German forces to the Allies at Reims, northern France. Here are some important events that took place on this day across the world. German submarine sinks British RMS Lusitania May 7, 1915, is an important day in history as one of the turning points in World War I occurred on this day. The British ship RMS Lusitania sank after being hit by a torpedo fired by a German submarine. The German embassy had issued warnings of attack on ships sailing to Britain in the morning papers on May 7. But, many assumed that a civilian vessel like the Lusitania would be spared. Thus, the fastest and most luxurious passenger ship of its time set sail for Liverpool from New York City on this day carrying nearly 2,000 people. The U Boat 139 which sank the Lusitania in an unknown location. File image/AP However, in the afternoon the ship entered a known war zone off the coast of Ireland. German submarine U-20, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Walther Schwieger, fired a single torpedo that struck the Lusitania on the starboard side. A second, more powerful explosion followed, likely caused by munitions hidden in the cargo hold, causing the ship to sink within 18 minutes. The attack killed 1,198 passengers and crew members of which 128 were Americans. The rapid sinking of the ship severely curtailed evacuation possibilities. Although lifeboats were deployed as a means of escape, a significant portion of them either overturned upon deployment or were rendered unusable by the vessel's steep list. The resulting high death toll among civilians, particularly women and children, triggered widespread international outrage, with the United States expressing particular condemnation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite maintaining neutrality for an additional two years, the sinking of the Lusitania dramatically altered public sentiment in the United States, turning it sharply against Germany and is widely regarded as a significant factor leading to America's eventual involvement in the war in 1917. Germany surrenders unconditionally to the Allies at Reims It was on this day in 1945 that the German High Command General Alfred Jodl signed the unconditional surrender of all German forces at the Allied headquarters in Reims, Northern France. This brought World War II to an end after nearly six years of devastating conflict. Initially, General Jodl sought to restrict the terms of German surrender to only those forces actively engaged against the Western Allies. However, General Dwight Eisenhower insisted upon the unconditional surrender of all German forces, encompassing those fighting on both the Eastern and Western fronts. Eisenhower made it extremely clear that if this demand was not met, the Western Front would be sealed, preventing German soldiers from seeking surrender in the West and leaving them to face the advancing Soviet forces. General Alfred Jodl signs the surrender of all German forces in Rheims, France. He is flanked by Wilhelm Oxenius (left) of the Luftwaffe and Hans-Georg von Friedeburg, representing Germany's navy. File image/AP Consequently, with Russian General Ivan Susloparov and French General François Sevez acting as witnesses and Eisenhower's Chief of Staff General Walter Bedell Smith signing on behalf of the Allied Expeditionary Force, Germany was officially defeated. Although hostilities would persist on the Eastern front for nearly another day, the war in the West had concluded. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While the Reims ceremony marked the end of the war for Western Allies, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin demanded a second signing in Berlin to underscore the Soviet Union's key role in the victory. On May 8, a second surrender was signed in Berlin by German representatives before Soviet Marshal Georgy Zhukov. The surrender at Reims signalled the collapse of the Third Reich and brought immense relief across the globe. This Day, That Year Sony Corporation was founded by Ibuka Masaru and Morita Akio on this day in 1946. On this day in 1861, Rabindranath Tagore was born in Kolkata. The Theatre Royal opened in London in 1663.
Irish Independent
07-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
New gravestones in Kinsale mark today's 110th anniversary of the sinking of the Lusitania in World War 1
Ship stewards George Cranston and Richard Chamberlain, interred in a double grave, have new stones. The former was previously buried under the misnomer 'Craduck'. Newlywed passenger Margaret Shineman is buried in the same graveyard. The remains of her husband of only two weeks, James, washed up in Co Clare months after the sinking and were interred in Carrigaholt. The Cunard Line passenger vessel was about 20km off the Old Head of Kinsale when it was torpedoed without warning by the German submarine U-20, commanded by Walther Schwieger, on Friday, May 7, 1915. A total of 1,198 people died in the tragedy, with justification for the act of war heavily disputed. The German embassy in the US had taken out adverts proclaiming that passenger ships of belligerent countries were liable to attack in a zone drawn around these islands. Few believed the threat would be carried out and there were only a handful of cancellations before the Lusitania – an Atlantic liner which could easily outrun any U-boat on the surface – left New York for Liverpool on its final voyage. However, it was struck by Schwieger's last remaining torpedo as the U-boat headed home to Germany after a long patrol. The ship sank in only 18 minutes, compared with the two hours and 40 minutes it took the Titanic to sink three years earlier after hitting an iceberg in the mid-Atlantic. Last night, associates of the Signal Tower group, who administer a museum dedicated to the disaster, met at the Old Head to mark 10 years in existence, in the company of some relatives of victims and survivors. There will be a further ceremony today from 2pm, marking the hour of the attack.
