RMS LUSITANIA
The sinking of the Lusitania was a major event of world war one. Many believe it was the first in a series of events, that would lead to the American`s joining the war. Lusitania is regarded as the second most famous ship to be lost at sea, after the Titanic. Much has been written about her sinking on 7th May 1915 off the coast of Ireland, when the German submarine U-20 fired a torpedo into her Hull. Lusitania sank within 18 minutes, the loss of life was on a terrible scale. 1,198 people died (785 passengers and 413 crew). I have added a few links to Lusitania web sites for those interested in her history.
I have added this page as many of the men listed on the war memorial at Our Lady Of Reconciliation church served aboard the liner. Their family and friends would have heard the news, and searched the survivors list in hope of finding them. Sadly for the men below, the only news their loved ones would receive, would be the one they most dreaded. Lusitania hit Liverpool hard, with many of the crew coming from the area. Many a parish in the city would mourn its dead, Our Lady`s was no exception, as the list below shows.
James Breen Leading Fireman, Aged 49
James Brown Fireman, Aged 47
Daniel Daly Fireman, Aged 42
John Ennis Greaser Aged 34
John Ford Fireman, Aged 44
Hugh Jones Greaser, Aged 48
Denis Kehoe Trimmer, Aged 21
John James Kennedy Trimmer, Aged 25
John Lawton Trimmer Aged 32
James Roach Fireman, Aged 24
Lusitania Propellor At Albert Dock Liverpool
Lusitania Memorial At Cobh Old Church Cemetery, Cork, Ireland.
Photograph courtesy of Sean Healy from Cork
The following local men where also victims of The Lusitania. For whatever reasons, their names where never included On the war memorial at Our Lady Of Reconciliation. I have decided to include them here, so that they can be remembered alongside their fellow crewmen, who perished in this awful even.
P. BURNS
Trimmer Peter Burns, Mercantile Marine, S.S. "Lusitania" (Liverpool)
died 07/05/1915, aged 34.
Son of the late John and Mary Burns; husband of Sarah Burns (nee Collins), of 40, Westmoreland Place, Scotland Rd., Liverpool. Born at Liverpool.
Remembered at Tower Hill Memorial, England.
CWGC certificate http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2980142
M. COONEY
Fireman Michael Cooney, Mercantile Marine, S.S. "Lusitania" (Liverpool)
died 07/05/1915, aged 40.
Son of Peter and Margaret Cooney; husband of Elizabeth Cooney (nee Moore), of 92, Hopwood St., Liverpool.
Remembered at Tower Hill Memorial, England.
CWGC certificate http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=2977868
Michael is the father of Michael below.
M. COONEY
Fireman Michael Cooney, Mercantile Marine, S.S. "Lusitania" (Liverpool)
died 07/05/1915, aged 20.
Son of Elizabeth Cooney (nee Moore) of 92, Hopwood St., Liverpool, and the late Michael Cooney.
Remembered at Tower Hill Memorial, England.
CWGC certificate http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=2977867
Michael is the son of Michael above.
J. DOYLE
Fireman John Doyle, Mercantile Marine, S.S. "Lusitania" (Liverpool)
died 07/05/1915, aged 35.
Son of Lawrence Doyle, of 368, Vauxhall Rd., Liverpool, and the late Ann Doyle. Born at Glynn, Co. Wexford.
Remembered at Tower Hill Memorial, England.
CWGC certificate http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=2978621
O. HUGHES
Greaser Owen Hughes, Mercantile Marine, S.S. "Lusitania" (Liverpool)
died 07/05/1915, aged 27.
Son of the late Owen and Mary Ann Hughes; husband of Hannah Hughes (nee Atkinson), of 57, Bevington Hill, Scotland Rd., Liverpool. Born at Liverpool.
Remembered at Tower Hill Memorial, England.
CWGC certificate Remembered at Tower Hill Memorial, England.
J. JONES
Fireman John Jones, Mercantile Marine, S.S. "Lusitania" (Liverpool)
died 07/05/1915, aged 37.
Son of the late John and Margaret Jones; husband of Mary Elizabeth Jones (nee Stephenson), of 192, Limekiln Lane, Liverpool. Born at Liverpool.
Remembered at Tower Hill Memorial, England.
CWGC certificate http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=2976756
D. LEE
Fireman Daniel Lee, Mercantile Marine, S.S. "Lusitania" (Liverpool)
died 07/05/1915, aged 50.
Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Lee; husband of Bridget Lee (nee Bracken), of 101, Gildorts Gardens, Liverpool. Born in Co. Westmeath, Ireland.
Remembered at Tower Hill Memorial, England.
CWGC certificate http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=3059472
J. MOLDEN
Fireman James Molden, Mercantile Marine, S.S. "Lusitania" (Liverpool)
died 07/05/1915, aged 25.
Son of William and Arm Molden, of 70, Blenheim St., Liverpool.
Remembered at Tower Hill Memorial, England.
CWGC certificate http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=2972249
T. PALMER
Trimmer Thomas Palmer, Mercantile Marine, S.S. "Lusitania" (Liverpool)
died 07/05/1915, aged 20.
Son of Mary and the late John Palmer; husband of Margaret Palmer (nee Dobson), of 190, Burlington St., Liverpool. Born at Liverpool.
Remembered at Tower Hill Memorial, England.
CWGC certificate http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=2973099
E. RYAN
Fireman Edward Ryan, Mercantile Marine, S.S. "Lusitania" (Liverpool)
died 07/05/1915, aged 44.
(Served as RICE). Son of Ann Ryan, of Corrags, Newry, Co Down and the late Patrick Ryan; husband of Margaret Ryan (nee Irving), of 94, Gildarts Gardens, Limekiln Lane, Liverpool. Born at Newry.
Remembered at Tower Hill Memorial, England.
CWGC certificate http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=3032385
LINKS
Merseyside Maratime Museum Lusitania Collection http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/collections/liners/lusitania/
Encyclopedia Titanica has an interesting story about a man named " Lucky Tower ", who was reported to have survived three major shipwrecks. Titanic, Empress of Ireland and Lusitania. http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/item/4200/
Lusitania online has the story of Kapitan-Leutnant Walther Schwieger, The captain of U-20, the submarine that sank Lusitania. http://www.lusitania.net/thehunters.html
Spartacus Education has produced a good informative site http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWlusitania.htm
Depending on what you are looking for concerning Lusitania, a google search should produce ample material and photographs.
The following are local Liverpool newspaper headlines, dated 8th May 1915
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