THE SINKING OF THE

The Sinking of The Lusitania

Key Stage 3 | Learning Resource About

The Creative Centenaries project, led by the Nerve Centre, brings together information and resources about the Decade of Centenaries and the work of Northern ’s creative sector in commemorating these events. From digital storytelling to educational resources to a sharing of knowledge and expertise, Creative Centenaries brings a fresh approach to the study and memory of one of Ireland’s most defining periods.

This graphic novel has been funded by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

With thanks to the team at Uproar Comics, historical consultant Richard Doherty and National Museums Northern Ireland.

For more information and to access a range of innovative educational resources around the Decade of Centenaries, see www.creativecentenaries.org.

Comic designed by

Biographies All of the characters mentioned throughout this story were real people on board the RMS Lusitania during its final voyage.

Martha and Meta Moody Ernest Cowper 70 year old Martha and 38 year Toronto journalist Ernest Cowper old Meta were from Limavady was also travelling to Europe to in County Londonderry and were become a war correspondent. returning home after spending Despite travelling as a second- a year in America having visited class passenger, Cowper often Martha’s brother in San Francisco, crossed into the first-class saloon California. Meta survived the to interview and talk with Elbert sinking of the ship but her mother Hubbard and his wife. After the Martha perished and her body ship was struck Ernest helped to was never recovered. find a life jacket for six year old Helen Smith and got her to safety, Alfred Vanderbilt noticing along the way that Alfred Vanderbilt was a first- and his wife were class passenger on board the retreating to their cabin. He too Lusitania, travelling to made his way onto a lifeboat on a business trip. The 37 year old and survived the sinking. Vanderbilt was a millionaire and part of the Vanderbilt family of Philip Traynor philanthropists. When the torpedo Little is known of Philip Traynor who struck the ship, Vanderbilt was is listed on the manifest as being said to have been trying to locate from Derry, although it is suggested a life jacket to give to a woman may have been born in Liverpool. and her baby. When he was Working as a coal trimmer he unable to find one he offered her would have been responsible for his own despite being unable to moving coal around the bunkers swim. He died and his body was in order to keep the coal level and never recovered. avoid the ship listing to one side. He did not survive the sinking. Elbert Hubbard Elbert was travelling on board the Captain William Thomas Turner Lusitania with his wife Alice. The Captain Turner replaced previous writer and artist was best known Captain Daniel Dow on the for forming the Roycroft Arts and Lusitania because Dow was Crafts movement in New York apparently suffering from stress. in 1895. Hubbard had plans to Captain Turner took control of the interview Kaiser Wilhelm II and after ship on its final voyage and was obtaining his passport, following on the bridge when the torpedo a visit to the White House, he and struck. He survived the sinking and his wife boarded the Lusitania. was rescued from a collapsible The eyewitness account of Ernest boat. He would later take most of Cowper suggests that when the the blame for the disaster during torpedo struck, Elbert and his wife an inquest. retreated to their cabin rather than become separated in the water. Walther Schweiger Schweiger was the commander of U-20 which fired the torpedo that sank the Lusitania. He gave the order to fire on the passenger ship when it was judged to have entered into the war zone. Schweiger was also involved in the torpedoing and sinking of other ships during the course of the First World War before being killed in action in 1917. Background Information The RMS Lusitania was once the It took just 18 minutes from the Both survivors and the bodies of world’s largest passenger ship. The moment the torpedo hit until the those who died were brought to vessel was launched for the Cunard Lusitania sank. During that time Queenstown (now known as ). Line in 1906 and set a high standard crew managed to launch only six Over 100 bodies of those who died for speed, capacity and luxury — lifeboats. A total of 1,960 passengers are buried in the cemetery there. the Lusitania was considered one and crew were aboard the Lusitania 26 of the most luxurious liners of its time. 1193 at the time of the sinking and 1,193 The sinking of the Lusitania caused KNOTS The ship was capable of speeds PEOPLE died as a result. outcry across the world and, with the of up to 26 knots (29-30mph). deaths of over 128 Americans, the Warships and small vessels made event is credited as a starting point LOST their way to the area to assist to the United States entering the war survivors and over 700 were rescued. two years later in 1917. The Lusitania departed from Liverpool heading for New York on May 1st, 1915. At the time there was a significant rise in submarine warfare with Germany declaring Glossary the around Britain and Ireland 01 as a war zone. 202 Lusitania Medallion War Zone Escort ships MAY CROSSINGS The medal was originally produced Germany had declared a war During previous wartime voyages, Ahead of the Lusitania’s return by German artist Karl Goetz to zone around Britain and Ireland in an escort ship would greet the voyage, the German Embassy The ship was making her 202nd mark the sinking of the Lusitania. February 1915. Any ships that entered Lusitania as it approached the British warned against travel on the crossing from New York and was Copies were later reproduced in the area were liable to be attacked Isles and guide her to port. However, ship as it would pass through the scheduled to dock in Liverpool on Britain as part of an anti-German by German U-boats. on its last voyage, there were designated war zone and could the evening of May 7th. Earlier that campaign. no escorts in sight. be liable to attack by German day the ship was just 11 miles from U-boat . A number of passengers, the coast of Ireland and inside the Newspaper Advert A German version of a submarine Queenstown (Cobh) including Alfred Vanderbilt, received designated war zone as identified The German Embassy in the (from the German unterseeboot, Queenstown, now known as anonymous telegrams advising by the Germans. United States placed a newspaper or under- boat) in operation Cobh, in County was the them not to travel on the ship. advert warning against travel throughout the First and Second location where survivors and on the Lusitania as the ship’s path World Wars. They were primarily used the dead were brought ashore would see it enter the war zone to target ships bringing supplies from and is the location for an official as identified by German forces. Britain and the United States. monument to the disaster.

The RMS Lusitania crossed the path Kaiser Wilhelm II Coal Trimmer of German U-boat 20 at 2.10pm Wilhelm II was German Emperor A coal trimmer was responsible for when the commanding officer gave from 1888 to 1918 and was the all coal handling operations on board the order to fire. A torpedo hit the eldest grandson of Queen Victoria. a ship. Trimmers were responsible liner on the starboard side and this Wilhelm had pledged his support for moving coal around the bunkers was followed moments later by a to Austria-Hungary in the July Crisis to keep supplies level and avoid 2:10 second explosion, thought to have of 1914 that eventually led to the the ship listing to one side. occurred when a boiler erupted. PM outbreak of the First World War. War Zone RMS Lusitania as declared left New York by Germany on May 1st 1915

War Zone as declared by Germany

Liverpool (the intended destination of the ship)

Queenstown

RMS Lusitania was just 11 miles from the coast of Ireland when it was attacked on May 7th 1915 War Zone as declared by Germany RMS LUSITANIA FACTS

The Lusitania was taller than the ! 165 FT

LUSITANIA x 7

The Lusitania 40,000 was almost as Tons long as seven 787 football pitches FT

P E O P L E LUXURY SPEED/FUEL LIFEBOATS CARGO U-BOAT

TOTAL 840 Tons of Coal per day 25 1960 Scotch 26 knots Boilers Top Speed

Travelling on board RMS The Lusitania was powered There were 70 lifeboats, life Included in Lusitania’s In the days before coming Lusitania did not come by 25 Scotch boilers which rafts and collapsibles on cargo were boxes of rifle into contact with the cheaply. A one way ticket used 840 tons of coal every board designed to carry bullets and shell cases and Lusitania, U-20 had attacked in a first-class Regal Suite day. It would have taken 2,605 people. However, due it has been suggested that and sank three other vessels would have cost £270 – at a 50 men to operate all the to the speed of the ship’s this caused the second around the Irish coast. With 1343 451 166 6 time when average monthly boilers at one time. The top sinking, only six lifeboats explosion. However, shell a speed of only 15 knots (17 Male Female Children Torpedos earnings in the UK were less speed of the RMS Lusitania were successfully launched. cases are empty metal mph) when surfaced, the than £10! was 26 knots (30 mph). Other people made their cylinders while bullets would U-boat would have been PASSENGERS way onto lifeboats and not have caused a major unable to catch up with the Died Total Survived First-class passengers would collapsibles after they explosion. It is most likely Lusitania if the ship had not have had access to the entered the water. that the second explosion come into direct sight 791 1267 476 Q: The total journey dining room, smoking room, distance between New was that of a boiler bursting. of the submarine. reading room, verandah York and Liverpool was café and a barber shop! approximately 3,500 miles. U-20 was carrying six Calculate how many days Only six Q: Why was Lusitania torpedoes. It used its last FOOD Q: Find out the average and hours the journey would carrying shell cases and one when firing at the monthly earnings for 1915 lifeboats were bullets? Investigate why RMS Lusitania. CREW have taken if the ship was Keeping everyone fed on and compare against the constantly travelling at its successfully the supplies would have Died Total Survived board was of the utmost price of a first-class ticket. fastest speed. been amongst the ship’s cargo and where they 402 693 291 priority. The estimated launched supplies for a one-way were destined for. journey included:

350 130 150 Investigate the sinking of the Lusitania! KEY STAGE 3 CURRICULUM LINKS ducks pigs turkeys Q: Calculate the average Many theories exist as to the fate of the Lusitania including why percentage survival rate Key Elements Personal Understanding; Mutual it was targeted, whether or not it was carrying munitions and what for all those on board. Understanding; Moral Character; caused the second explosion. Citizenship; Cultural Understanding; Media Awareness; Ethical Awareness You will work in groups within your class to compile a report. You will assume the role of the German government, the British government Cross Curricular Skills Communication; Using Mathematics; or the American government and investigate the surroundings that Using ICT led to the sinking of Lusitania and the action you will choose to take as a result of your conclusion. Thinking Skills and Managing Information; Thinking, Problem You should examine areas such as the newspaper adverts warning Personal Capabilities Solving, Decision Making; Working against travel, the captain’s mindset and knowledge of the waters, With Others the weather on the day of the sinking and how it affected travel, and whether or not U-20 was justified in its actions. Areas of Learning English (with Media Education); Environment & Society; Science Present your report to the rest of the class and justify the findings & Technology for your individual government. Classroom Design your KEY STAGE 3 CURRICULUM LINKS Key Elements Personal Understanding; Mutual Activities own newspaper Understanding; Moral Character; Citizenship; Cultural Understanding; front page Media Awareness; Ethical Awareness

Pupils will use digital imaging Cross Curricular Skills Communication; Using ICT software to create the front page of a newspaper in the aftermath of the sinking of the Lusitania. Students should research some Make your Thinking Skills and Managing Information; Thinking, Problem of the headlines and articles from Personal Capabilities Solving, Decision Making; Being Creative own Lusitania newspapers across the world following the sinking and examine animation! the wording and language used. They will then write their own front- Areas of Learning English (with Media Education); Environment & Society; Science The sinking of the Lusitania was widely On this page you will see some page story about the sinking & Technology covered in the media and through examples of drawings and designs and use digital imaging software the medium of film and song. that you can download and use to create the look and feel of Enraged by the sinking and in order to make your own animated film. a newspaper from the time. to give an accurate portrayal of the Download the designs for free from event, American cartoonist Winsor creativecentenaries.org/resources McCay began to make an animated where you can also view Winsor KEY STAGE 3 CURRICULUM LINKS film about the Lusitania in 1916. McCay’s film for inspiration. Designs Record your include everything you’ll need such Key Elements Personal Understanding; Mutual The result was ‘The Sinking of as drawings of the Lusitania, U-20, own radio play Understanding; Moral Character; Citizenship; Cultural Understanding; the Lusitania’, a 12 minute long lifeboats and more. You may also Students will use audio recording Media Awareness; Ethical Awareness animated documentary that was decide to make your own models software to create a radio play acknowledged as the longest piece and designs for use in the animation. Cross Curricular Skills Communication; Using ICT broadcast focused on the of animated film at the time of its actions of someone on board release. The film took McCay over Work in groups in your class to the Lusitania. In small groups, two years to make and included recreate your own animated film Download our pupils should research the over 25,000 individual hand about the sinking of the Lusitania. animation how actions and fate of a passenger Thinking Skills and Managing Information; Thinking, Problem drawings produced in his free time. What type of film will you make? who survived the sinking and Personal Capabilities Solving, Decision Making; Being Creative Will you focus on a specific set to guide! script a short broadcast from Working With Others ‘The Sinking of the Lusitania’ also of characters on the ship? Perhaps their perspective, including what became known as one of the you will tell the story from the Download the Nerve Centre’s they experienced. They will earliest examples of animated perspective of the Germans? Areas of Learning English (with Media Education); specially created ‘Creating then use audio recording Environment & Society propaganda. Or maybe recreate a piece of Animation in the Classroom’ software to record and edit the propaganda? The choice is yours! iBook to help guide you through script and use sound effects the process of making your where appropriate. KEY STAGE 3 CURRICULUM LINKS own animation. The step-by- step guide includes helpful Key Elements Personal Understanding; Mutual Understanding; Moral Character; hints and tips, how-to video Citizenship; Cultural Understanding; Media Awareness; KEY STAGE 3 CURRICULUM LINKS Ethical Awareness guides and examples of work Compile a created. Follow the links at Cross Curricular Skills Communication; Using ICT Key Elements Personal Understanding; Mutual www.creativecentenaries.org/ Thinking Skills and Managing Information; Thinking, Problem Solving, Decision class wiki on Understanding; Moral Character; Personal Capabilities Making; Being Creative; Working With Others resources to download the Citizenship; Cultural Understanding; book for free! Media Awareness; Ethical Awareness Areas of Learning The Arts; English (with Media Education); Environment & Society; the Lusitania Science & Technology Cross Curricular Skills Communication; Using ICT In your class, construct a group wiki on the Lusitania to give a background and detail to A 3D design of the famous liner is available to download from the Creative the events. Each group will be Print and build Centenaries website. From there, you can book a session with the Nerve assigned a number of elements Thinking Skills and Managing Information; Thinking, Problem Centre’s Fab Lab facility to print and build a model for your classroom or aspects of the story and Personal Capabilities Solving, Decision Making; Being Creative your own or group, exploring the design that went behind the ship and create a wiki entry to document Working With Others; Self Management Lusitania understanding the importance of the sinking. it. Certain aspects might include details of shipbuilding, a timeline Areas of Learning English (with Media Education); model! Printing and building the model allows you to gain a perspective of the liner of the disaster, the historical Environment & Society including its shape and size and how a torpedo attack would have caused setting, influences on America irreversible damage. You may even wish to build a model for use in your joining the conflict and a animation – the possibilities are endless! glossary. Each of the separate entries can be compiled into For more information, including how to download the design or to book a complete group wiki and used a session with the Fab Lab, visit: www.creativecentenaries.org/resources by the whole class. www.creativecentenaries.org