Sinking of Lusitania

         On May 7, 1915, a British ocean cruise liner Lusitania which carried people and materials across the Atlantic ocean was hunted and shot by a German U-Boat. The Lusitania sunk within 18 minutes of being shot. The death toll was tremendous, of the 1,959 people on board 1,198 died, 128 of which were Americans. The sinking and killing of the Americans on board enraged the Americans and led to the U.S. entering World War 1. 

         Because of the outbreak of WW1 ocean travel had become very dangerous. German Submarines called U-Boats were prowling the ocean sinking almost every ship they suspected of carrying soldiers or war materials. The Germans has suspected the Lusitania of carrying war munitions and at 1:40 p.m. German U-Boat, U-20 launched a torpedo. The torpedo struck the ship starboard side and rocked the ship. Shortly after the torpedo hit and second explosion occurred. Many people believe the second explosion occurred from ammunition hidden in the cargo hold and other say it was from coal dust that ignited. The Lusitania sank within 18 minutes of the initial explosion

128 civilians dying in a war that they were neutral in outraged America. Sinking a ship not known to be carrying war material was an international war protocol that U-20 did not follow. The sinking of the Lusitania escalated the tension between U.S. and Germany and it was a major cause for America joining the war.

sources-http://history1900s.about.com/cs/worldwari/p/lusitania.htm