See how it looked in 1915

Lusitania Is Sunk Off the Irish Coast

Boston Office of the Cunard Line Says the Steamship Was Torpedoed on Approach to Queenstown Boats Sent to Aid Twenty Small Craft From the Great Vessel Stand By and Other Assistance Said to Be at Hand

At the Boston office of the Cunard line it was stated this afternoon that the steamship Lusitania was torpedoed and sunk off the Irish coast today, according to cable received from the Liverpool office.

No loss of life is reported.

Immediately after the liner was stuck 2 boats were lowered and filled with passengers.

According to the report, boats put out at once from Queenstown in the direction of Old Head Kinsale, off which the attack is said to have taken place. At this point the vessel would normally have been within sight of land.

An unconfirmed report had it that the Lusitania was turned toward the shore and beached.

A cable timed 4:23 p.m. says that several boats, apparently containing survivors have been sighted to the southeast, and that a Greek steamer is proceeding to assistance.

Information given out that the Boston office of the Conard line was to effect that the Lusitania which left New York last Saturday had 200 saloon passengers, 602 second cabin and 361 steerage, all of whom were booked by the Cunard line, besides other passengers who were transferred from the Anchor Liner Cameronia which was cancelled just before its sailing time.

The wireless message sent out from the Lusitania as reported here by cable, read as follows: “Come at once. Big list. Ten miles south of Kinsale.”

Among others are Alfred Gwyane Vanderbilt, Elbert Hubbard and Charles Frohman. Just before the steamer sailed many of the passengers received telegrams advising them not to make the voyage as something was going to happen to the big liner.

These telegrams followed on the publication in the newspapers of an advertisement authorized by the German embassy, warning all Americans that travel to and from England was dangerous.

The Lusitania is commanded by Capt. W. T. Turner, royal naval reserve, Staff Capt. J. C. Anderson in his assistant. On board were a number of British reservists going to join the colors and representatives of many American and Canadian firms who deal in war Materials.