Memorial S.S. Lusitania

S.S. Lusitania
The Cunard Liner torpedoed and sunk by U-boat U20
of the Cork coast on 7th May 1915
with the loss of 1198 lives.
Many survivors and dead were brought ashore here,
170 of the victims were buried in the nearby
Clonmel (Old Church) Cemetery.

Jerome Connor's Peace Memorial honours the memory of
those who helped in the rescue, gave aid & hope to survivors
and buried the dead"

The liner Lusitania sailed from New York on 1st May 1915 on a voyage to Liverpool with a total of 1962 persons on board. At about 2pm on the 7th May she was torpedoed by German U-boat U20 12 miles off the Irish coast. She sank within 18 minutes taking with her 1198 lives. Most of the 764 that survived were landed in Cobh (Queenstown as it was then known). The Germans had declared unrestricted submarine warfare before the ship sailed and the passengers had been warned of the dangers. She was struck by a single torpedo but a second explosion occurred. 128 of the victims were Americans and their deaths turned public opinion against the Germans and contributed to the Americans joining the war two years later.
There has always been controversy over whether Lusitania was a legal target as she was carrying empty small arms and artillery cases. Also several theories have been put forward for the second explosion but none have been proved.

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!