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The Lusitania Story
The Lusitania Story is the complete story of this famous ocean liner, told for the first time in a single volume with verified passenger and crew lists as well as an accurate record of those who survived and perished. The value of this book is enhanced by its many illustrations.
- GenresNonfiction
192 pages, Hardcover
First published April 10, 2015
5 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Mitch Peeke
7 books4 followersBorn in 1962, Mitch spent the first part of his career in the photographic and printing trades before becoming a Black Cab Driver. After fifteen years behind the wheel of a “Black Rat”, Mitch decided to change his profession and since 2007, he has been a Driving Instructor. He is currently to be found with the well-known Kent-based Driving School, A Class Driver Training. He has also passed the RoSPA Advanced Driver's test.
A founder member of Lusitania Online, (website www.lusitania.net) Mitch co-authored Lusitania and Beyond: The Life of Commodore William Thomas Turner (Avid Publications 2001), as well as The Lusitania Story (Pen and Sword Books, 2002 and US Naval Institute Press, 2003). This book was updated and republished in February of 2015 in time for the centenary of the Lusitania disaster.He also wrote Lost Souls Of The River Kwai (Pen and Sword Books, 2004) with the late Bill Reed.
Mitch's latest project is an e-book titled 1940:THE BATTLES TO STOP HITLER. (Pen & Sword Books Ltd). Telling the story of that momentous year, this e-book was released in June of 2015.
Mitch was recently fortunate enough to have been allowed to sit in the cockpit of a Mk IX Spitfire and run through the start-up sequence, which short of actually being able to go up in it; was for him, something of a dream come true! (As is clearly evidenced in his profile picture)!
Mitch writes for numerous journals, magazines and web blogs and has contributed to programmes on BBC Radio Kent. He has also acted as a historical adviser to The Discovery Channel as well as smaller, independent film-makers such as Spa Films.
Mitch lives with his wife Jane, their daughter, Katie and their son, Mylo, (plus Jane’s menagerie of rescued animals!) at Allhallows-on-Sea, near Rochester, Kent. All the Author's royalties from his books are donated directly to the Medway Queen Preservation Society, to help save the ship that became known as "The Heroine Of Dunkirk".
In June of 2019, Mitch was successful in raising a memorial to the crew of a B 17 bomber which crashed on the beach at Allhallows in June of 1944, killing all but one of its crew.
Any spare time Mithe has is spent riding his classic and rather unique 1450cc custom Harley-Davidson.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 18, 2020
This is a good, basic, modern book about the 1915 sinking of the Lusitania, a luxury British ship, by a German U-Boat, during World War I. The ship was torpedoed off the coast of Ireland with no warning, and despite its size, watertight compartments, and only being struck by one torpedo, far forward, sank with over 1,000 lives, including 100+ Americans. Since the day the ship was sunk, questions have swirled. Why did the Cunard line disregard a newspaper ad from the German embassy warning ships sailing into the war zone would be subject to attack. Why did the British Navy recall the escort ship sent to guard the liner after submarine activity was detected. Was the ship illegally carrying ammunition for Great Britain and thus a legitimate target of attack. Why did the ship sink so quickly? While a short book, this is a readable account that covers almost every aspect of the disaster based on the most modern information.
What comes across most clearly in this book is the almost criminal incompetence of the British Navy and government. Yes they did carry ammunition hidden in the Lusitania. Yes they did disregard the newspaper warning and allow the ship to sale. Yes the Navy did recall its escort vessel once the submarine activity off Ireland was detected. Yes the British Navy did send a message to re-route the Lusitania at the last moment, which required the ship's captain to take a bearing instead of the zig-zagging that might have avoided the submarine attack. Yes after the incident the British Navy and government sought to cover up what happened to the point the Wreck Commissioner resigned and continue to lie about the Lusitania to this day.
What also comes across is a Captain who was completely oblivious to the danger of attack by submarine and a captain so unfriendly and old fashioned the line had actually hired a "staff captain" just to interact with the passengers on his behalf.
Moments after the Lusitania was struck, the ship's hidden munitions cargo detonated, causing tremendously more damage than the torpedo. The captain tried to steer the ship towards shore, but the helm stopped responding, then when he reversed the engines to stop, a known defect in the turbines caused an additional explosion. A severe list developed, resulting in half the lifeboats swinging inboard and panic driven passengers tried to launch the other lifeboats before the ship stopped moving, and they swamped. Particularly powerful accounts are included of the inswung lifeboats crashing down the decks, crushing people.
Left unexplained is why the ship's watertight compartments failed to stop the flooding, why there were open portholes in a war zone, leading to faster flooding. In the end, the ship struck the bottom still half afloat, nearly capsized then sank down in a mess of explosions and toppling smokestacks. The water was too cold to allow many of the survivors in the water to make it.
The British Navy lied about the munitions onboard, lied to its own official inquiry and tried to blame the captain, who was exonerated when the navy's hidden wireless messages were exposed. The Wreck Commissioner resigned afterwards. So desperate to hide the truth, the British government and Navy for years afterwards, had bombing and depth charge practices made on the wreck to damage it to prevent inspection, and conducted secret salvage operations to hide the truth which they do not admit to this day.
This is a book which hits each aspect of the story well, but the actual sinking is not well detailed and is the shortest shrift part of the work. But if you want a readable, interesting, short account of the Lusitania tragedy, up to and including modern exploration of the wreck, this book is a good account.
What comes across most clearly in this book is the almost criminal incompetence of the British Navy and government. Yes they did carry ammunition hidden in the Lusitania. Yes they did disregard the newspaper warning and allow the ship to sale. Yes the Navy did recall its escort vessel once the submarine activity off Ireland was detected. Yes the British Navy did send a message to re-route the Lusitania at the last moment, which required the ship's captain to take a bearing instead of the zig-zagging that might have avoided the submarine attack. Yes after the incident the British Navy and government sought to cover up what happened to the point the Wreck Commissioner resigned and continue to lie about the Lusitania to this day.
What also comes across is a Captain who was completely oblivious to the danger of attack by submarine and a captain so unfriendly and old fashioned the line had actually hired a "staff captain" just to interact with the passengers on his behalf.
Moments after the Lusitania was struck, the ship's hidden munitions cargo detonated, causing tremendously more damage than the torpedo. The captain tried to steer the ship towards shore, but the helm stopped responding, then when he reversed the engines to stop, a known defect in the turbines caused an additional explosion. A severe list developed, resulting in half the lifeboats swinging inboard and panic driven passengers tried to launch the other lifeboats before the ship stopped moving, and they swamped. Particularly powerful accounts are included of the inswung lifeboats crashing down the decks, crushing people.
Left unexplained is why the ship's watertight compartments failed to stop the flooding, why there were open portholes in a war zone, leading to faster flooding. In the end, the ship struck the bottom still half afloat, nearly capsized then sank down in a mess of explosions and toppling smokestacks. The water was too cold to allow many of the survivors in the water to make it.
The British Navy lied about the munitions onboard, lied to its own official inquiry and tried to blame the captain, who was exonerated when the navy's hidden wireless messages were exposed. The Wreck Commissioner resigned afterwards. So desperate to hide the truth, the British government and Navy for years afterwards, had bombing and depth charge practices made on the wreck to damage it to prevent inspection, and conducted secret salvage operations to hide the truth which they do not admit to this day.
This is a book which hits each aspect of the story well, but the actual sinking is not well detailed and is the shortest shrift part of the work. But if you want a readable, interesting, short account of the Lusitania tragedy, up to and including modern exploration of the wreck, this book is a good account.
June 3, 2016
RMS Lusitania was a magnificent transatlantic liner and the pride of the Cunard fleet. She was fast and she was luxurious, and on 7th May 1915 she was sunk by a torpedo fired by submarine U20.
The authors run a Lusitania Historical Society and a website: http://www.lusitania.net/index.htm. They have structured their book as a 'biography' of the ship, from her conception and design, through building, launching, fitting out, sea trials and pre-war service on the important transatlantic run, including winning the prestigious 'Blue Riband' for the fastest crossing. The final voyage, sinking and resulting enquiry are covered in detail.
This is a short factual book, focused on the ship. There is not a lot of information about the passengers and the human interest aspects are a small part of the book and about the ship's officers. This is fine by me as I prefer my history books uncluttered by superfluous waffle, but this may not be the best book for those who want more human interest.
Some facts about the sinking are uncertain. Where exactly did the torpedo hit the ship? What caused a second explosion? The authors have researched the available information and then drawn up a most likely scenario. The difference between how much is fact and how much is informed speculation is always kept very clear. Greater weight is given to eyewitness testimony from the most reliable observers, such as Kapitan Schweiger who watched the torpedo impact through his periscope. Since publication of this edition and independent of the authors, Herr Ralf Bartzke has built a simulation of the U-boat attack which puts the impact range between frame 247 and frame 269. The authors original estimate was between frames 251 and 256, within Bartzke's range. Information about the simulation is included on the Lusitania website and probably in the updated edition of the book.
The authors run a Lusitania Historical Society and a website: http://www.lusitania.net/index.htm. They have structured their book as a 'biography' of the ship, from her conception and design, through building, launching, fitting out, sea trials and pre-war service on the important transatlantic run, including winning the prestigious 'Blue Riband' for the fastest crossing. The final voyage, sinking and resulting enquiry are covered in detail.
This is a short factual book, focused on the ship. There is not a lot of information about the passengers and the human interest aspects are a small part of the book and about the ship's officers. This is fine by me as I prefer my history books uncluttered by superfluous waffle, but this may not be the best book for those who want more human interest.
Some facts about the sinking are uncertain. Where exactly did the torpedo hit the ship? What caused a second explosion? The authors have researched the available information and then drawn up a most likely scenario. The difference between how much is fact and how much is informed speculation is always kept very clear. Greater weight is given to eyewitness testimony from the most reliable observers, such as Kapitan Schweiger who watched the torpedo impact through his periscope. Since publication of this edition and independent of the authors, Herr Ralf Bartzke has built a simulation of the U-boat attack which puts the impact range between frame 247 and frame 269. The authors original estimate was between frames 251 and 256, within Bartzke's range. Information about the simulation is included on the Lusitania website and probably in the updated edition of the book.
June 27, 2019
A quick easy read that would be a great introduction to anyone interested in the story of the Lusitania.
June 21, 2022
Could this now practically forgotten disaster have been prevented? What exactly happened? How could the ship sink so quickly? Why did so many people die? Is that the whole story surrounding this ship?
These are just a few questions asked and answered in this thin, but very readable book. I read it, because a new translation had come out - but ended up reading an English edition. The book first appeared in 2002, but has gone through reprints - with translations available.
To start with "is the disaster all there is to tell?": the author states everybody focuses on the over 1200 dead, not the complete history. And who remembers the Lusitania disaster anyway? After all, it is completely overshadowed by the Titanic and all those Hollywood movies.
Yes, the Titanic and other passenger ships are also mentioned. Because the story starts at the end of the 19th, beginning of the 20th century: the heydays of the floating hotels that tried to cross the Atlantic in the fastest possible time. A period in which Kaiser Wilhelm's Germany and the British Empire of his grandmother and then his uncle Edward, were already competing.
Though slim (I think), this book is well researched. It is based on and mentions preceding works on the Lusitania, its history and the disaster. In addition, experts were asked to give their opinion on problems and questions related to it sinking so fast. Yet the book is totally not written in an academic style: I started and finished it within a few hours and naval history is not my favourite topic. It is that engrossing.
But as mentioned above, this book describes the complete history of the ship. I was really baffled: imagine an Admiralty and a shipping company working together? And it resulted not just in one but two ships built? And the Lusitania and Mauretania had to serve two roles: passengership and warship?
Yes, of course this led to compromises. But as with so many disasters: the first few might not have caused the loss of so many lives. Actually, as is explained in the chapters on the designing and building of this ship: it posed challenges which were solved in positive ways. The Lusitania and its sistership were really state of the art.
After reading the descriptions of the luxury on board? After reading what passengers could expect in first, second, third class? After reading that both ships steamed across the Atlantic from England to New York or back, in less than five days? That photo of a menu? Sign me up for a trip!
Um, yes: a trip in peacetime and preferably not third class. Read the first few chapters on why first class travel was definitely to be preferred. For readers only interested in disasters: the story of Lusitania's fatal voyage starts past the middle of the book.
It is dreadful to read how one fatal decision is followed by another one. While reading, I wondered: how many disasters was Churchill responsible for? But then: I am not just thinking of WWI. The book firmly focuses on one ship at the start of WWI. Though the Dardanells Campaign (think Gallipoli) and a meeting in which Churchill might have been already focusing on a visit to the front in France crops up. Read the book.
Personally, I found the most moving bits to read the description of the attempt to save the children followed by the rescue of the stricken captain, followed by him being put on trial with an Admiralty set on making him a scapegoat. The description of the trial and its outcome is followed by a very good explanation on how the Lusitania could sink so fast, the current situation of the wreck and finishes the story with an epilogue.
After the epilogue follow appendices and a list of sources used. It may not interest most readers, but I read through the first appendix. It is the complete passenger list, including crew and the German spies. (Read the book.) I found it very moving to read about servants accompanying some passengers, people being 'deported back', the names of the nearly 130 children who were on that last, fatal voyage.
These are just a few questions asked and answered in this thin, but very readable book. I read it, because a new translation had come out - but ended up reading an English edition. The book first appeared in 2002, but has gone through reprints - with translations available.
To start with "is the disaster all there is to tell?": the author states everybody focuses on the over 1200 dead, not the complete history. And who remembers the Lusitania disaster anyway? After all, it is completely overshadowed by the Titanic and all those Hollywood movies.
Yes, the Titanic and other passenger ships are also mentioned. Because the story starts at the end of the 19th, beginning of the 20th century: the heydays of the floating hotels that tried to cross the Atlantic in the fastest possible time. A period in which Kaiser Wilhelm's Germany and the British Empire of his grandmother and then his uncle Edward, were already competing.
Though slim (I think), this book is well researched. It is based on and mentions preceding works on the Lusitania, its history and the disaster. In addition, experts were asked to give their opinion on problems and questions related to it sinking so fast. Yet the book is totally not written in an academic style: I started and finished it within a few hours and naval history is not my favourite topic. It is that engrossing.
But as mentioned above, this book describes the complete history of the ship. I was really baffled: imagine an Admiralty and a shipping company working together? And it resulted not just in one but two ships built? And the Lusitania and Mauretania had to serve two roles: passengership and warship?
Yes, of course this led to compromises. But as with so many disasters: the first few might not have caused the loss of so many lives. Actually, as is explained in the chapters on the designing and building of this ship: it posed challenges which were solved in positive ways. The Lusitania and its sistership were really state of the art.
After reading the descriptions of the luxury on board? After reading what passengers could expect in first, second, third class? After reading that both ships steamed across the Atlantic from England to New York or back, in less than five days? That photo of a menu? Sign me up for a trip!
Um, yes: a trip in peacetime and preferably not third class. Read the first few chapters on why first class travel was definitely to be preferred. For readers only interested in disasters: the story of Lusitania's fatal voyage starts past the middle of the book.
It is dreadful to read how one fatal decision is followed by another one. While reading, I wondered: how many disasters was Churchill responsible for? But then: I am not just thinking of WWI. The book firmly focuses on one ship at the start of WWI. Though the Dardanells Campaign (think Gallipoli) and a meeting in which Churchill might have been already focusing on a visit to the front in France crops up. Read the book.
Personally, I found the most moving bits to read the description of the attempt to save the children followed by the rescue of the stricken captain, followed by him being put on trial with an Admiralty set on making him a scapegoat. The description of the trial and its outcome is followed by a very good explanation on how the Lusitania could sink so fast, the current situation of the wreck and finishes the story with an epilogue.
After the epilogue follow appendices and a list of sources used. It may not interest most readers, but I read through the first appendix. It is the complete passenger list, including crew and the German spies. (Read the book.) I found it very moving to read about servants accompanying some passengers, people being 'deported back', the names of the nearly 130 children who were on that last, fatal voyage.
February 18, 2019
Excellent and well researched account of the fatal sinking of the Lusitania in 1915. The authors have gone to great pains to ensure the information is as accurate as possible, given the shroud of mystery and intrigue of the events leading up to the sinking by a German Submarine.
It is extremely factual and could be used no only as a biographical account but also as a reference book. Anyone interested in this disaster should read this book.
It is extremely factual and could be used no only as a biographical account but also as a reference book. Anyone interested in this disaster should read this book.
August 17, 2024
The Forgotten Lusitania
Not being a maritime expert, this book fills in the blanks. Reconizable names, dates and history at one's fingertrips. Great reference. Well worth the read.
Not being a maritime expert, this book fills in the blanks. Reconizable names, dates and history at one's fingertrips. Great reference. Well worth the read.
May 9, 2015
Really interesting read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews