The RMS Lusitania, a prestigious ocean liner of the Cunard Line, was launched from the John Brown Shipyard in Clydebank, Glasgow, Scotland, on 07 June 1906. As one of the largest and fastest passenger ships of its time, the Lusitania was designed to offer luxury and speed, significantly enhancing transatlantic travel. Its launch marked a milestone in maritime engineering and design, symbolizing the prowess of British shipbuilding.
The Lusitania later gained historical notoriety when it was sunk by a German U-boat on May 7, 1915, during World War I. This tragic event resulted in significant loss of life and contributed to shifting public opinion in the United States against Germany, influencing the eventual American entry into the war. The legacy of the Lusitania endures both as a marvel of early 20th-century maritime achievement and a poignant reminder of the vulnerabilities of civilian ships during wartime.
