#Lusitania100 – RMS Lusitania was given a fitting tribute in the early hours of this morning as Cunard Line's Queen Victoria took up position last night over the wreck site off the Old Head of Kinsale, where she sank 100 years ago marking the single most tragic event in the liner company's 175 year history.
The liner Lusitania left New York for Liverpool on 1st May 1915 with 1959 passengers and crew onboard.
On 7th May 1915, a single torpedo fired from the German U-boat U-20 slammed into the starboard side of the Lusitania off the southern coast of Ireland. The ship listed and sank in just 18 minutes. While 761 of those on board were rescued, most were not so fortunate.
On board Queen Victoria, passengers are taking the 'Lusitania Remembered' commemorative cruise.
As previously reported on Afloat.ie Queen Victoria departed Southampton last Sunday along with her Cunard's fleetmates down the Solent.
Before Queen Victoria called to Cobh this morning, guests were witness to dropping of wreaths and floral offerings into the sea at the ceremony held on board (SEE PHOTOS) in the early hours of this morning in addition to a number of other tributes.
A Commemorative Dinner was held last night on board and today a special service was held ashore in Cobh (Queenstown) as it was known a century ago.
At 2.10pm the Queen Victoria's whistle marked the time when Lusitania was torpedoed and this was followed by a second whistle sounded at 2.28pm to indicate how little time there was between the first hit and the ship's sinking.
Historian Eric Sauder will produce a temporary exhibition of Lusitania memorabilia that will be displayed on board Queen Victoria during her 3 – 10 May 2015 voyage. The exhibit will feature china, silver, brochures, postcards, memorabilia, and souvenirs that will bring to life the story of Cunard's flagship.
Three experts will be sailing as speakers during the cruise: maritime historian Chris Frame, Lusitania expert and owner of the Lusitania artefacts Eric Sauder and Irish Lusitania Expert Senan Molony.
