On May 7 1915 RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-boat and the ramifications of the event were felt around the world.
At the outbreak of war, the ‘Cruiser Rules’ had been introduced, which required the crew and passengers of civilian ships to be safeguarded, even if their vessel was seized or sunk. But, by the beginning of 1915, the rules of engagement had changed and, in early February, Germany declared the seas around the British Isles a war zone.
The luxury passenger liner affectionally known as 'Lusy' was crossing the Atlantic from New York to Liverpool when it was brought down without warning. The aftermath of the event would see destruction spread across Liverpool.
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The Sinking of the Lusitania
The Lusitania began her voyage from New York to Liverpool on May 1. Carrying over 2,000 passengers the ship was homeward bound as it passed Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland on Friday, May 7.
A submarine, U-20, fired a torpedo into the starboard bow, causing a second massive explosion, and the Lusitania sank within 18 minutes.
Only six out of 48 lifeboats managed to launch successfully. Others broke apart, or overturned, throwing their occupants into the sea.
Of the 1,959 passengers and crew, 1,195 lost their lives, including 128 Americans, and many British-born passengers who had settled in the US or Canada.
More than 200 crewmen with connections to Liverpool also died along with the ship. As news filtered to the city, women, mostly from the north end of Liverpool, descended on the Cunard offices where they kept up a vigil throughout the night in the hope of hearing news of their loved ones.
A news report from the ECHO in the aftermath of the tragedy said: "In the grey dawn of morning a little knot of sad-faced women stood outside, gazing steadily at the notices in the window – waiting and watching.”
Anti-German Riots
As the news of the sinking spread through Liverpool and families wept for sons, brothers, and husbands that would never return, an insidious spark of anti-German sentiment spread throughout the city. Feelings hit a fever pitch on May 8 and the first attacks in what became known as the anti-German Riots took root.
As one of the world's largest ports Liverpool a host of people from across mainland Europe had settled in Liverpool and the majority of the city’s pork butchers, as well as a number of shoemakers, were of German origin. It was these businesses and homes that the mob unleashed their hatred upon.
Police received reports of smashed glass and battered shop fronts as the growing mob sought anyone they believed to be German. A first-hand account written by Pat O'Mara a laborer from Scotland Road said: "Suddenly something crashed up the road near Ben Johnson Street; followed in turn by another terrific crash of glass.
"We ran up the road. A pork butcher’s had had its front window knocked in with a brick and a crowd of men and women were wrecking the place. A little higher up the same thing was happening – everything suggestive of Germany was being smashed to pieces."
Non-German businesses were also caught up in the melee of destruction, including a Yorkshireman whose Birkenhead shop was demolished, and a Russian’s store in Brownlow Hill was also targeted.
It was reported in the ECHO on Monday 10 that over 50 shops mainly pork butchers had been attacked. Many of German descent were advised to leave the city or arrested for their own safety.
While those resolute shopkeepers who remained were chased by crowds numbering 2,000 strong.
The Aftermath
After Liverpool, riots spread further afield, including Manchester and London. When the violence subsided in Liverpool rioters were brought before the magistrate's court in Dale Street, where they faced charges of stealing, looting, willful damage to property, and assaulting police officers. One Irish woman was given six months in Walton prison.
The sinking of Lusitania fueled anti-German sentiment in the United States and hinder diplomatic relations between the two nations and became one of the contributing factors that led to America joining the war in 1917.
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