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Historical Significance: 

RMS Lusitania was a British luxury ocean liner owned by the Cunard Line. Launched on June 7th 1906, the giant ship could rip through the water at an average speed over 25 knots by engines that produced 68,000 hp. Dubbed the "Greyhound of the Seas", Lusitania soon captured the Blue Ribbon for the fastest Atlantic crossing.

The British Admiralty had secretly subsidized Lusitania's construction. She was built to Admiralty specifications with the understanding that at the outbreak of war the ship would be consigned to government service. In 1913, the Lusitania quietly entered dry dock in Liverpool and was fitted for war service. This included the installation of ammunition magazines and gun mounts on her decks. The mounts, concealed under the teak deck, were ready for the addition of the guns when needed.

As the fastest ship afloat, the luxurious liner felt secure in the belief she could easily outdistance any submarine. Nonetheless, the menace of submarine attack reduced her passenger list to only half her capacity.

On May 1, 1915, the ship departed New York City bound for Liverpool. Unknown to her passengers, almost all her hidden cargo consisted of munitions destined for the British war effort.

On May 7, Lusitania neared the coast of Ireland. At 2:10 PM, her side was hit by a torpedo fired by the German submarine U 20. A mysterious second explosion ripped her apart. Chaos reigned. Lifeboats crashed into passengers crowded on deck. Most passengers never had a chance.   Within 18 minutes the giant ship was under the water.  1,198 of the 1,924 aboard died.

114 American deaths enraged American public opinion. President Wilson protested strongly to the Germans.  Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan, a pacifist, resigned.  In September, the Germans announced that passenger ships would be sunk only with prior warning and appropriate safeguards for passengers.  However, within two years America declared war.

The sinking of the Lusitania is the second most well-known civilian passenger liner disaster, after the sinking of Titanic.

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This Lusitania features:

• Scratch-built

• All wooden and metal parts

• Plank-on-frame hull construction just like the way real ships are built

• As built in 1907

31" long x 11.5" tall  x 7" wide  (including base's dimensions)    $1,200    S & H is $90

62" long   $3,400       S & H is $200

Add light feature to one of the above models:  $200        
(Cord can be unplugged from base for displaying without light.  Adjustable brightness level. Work with both  110v and 220v)

For display case, click here:  https://www.modelshipmaster.com/products/accessory/displaycase.htm

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