Preston argues that the second explosion was caused neither by a second torpedo, nor by secret munitions, but instead by the steam-line rupture. The aura of suspicion still surrounds the sinking, as many of the papers have either disappeared or are still classified documents.

She argues that explorations, using sophisticated technology, within the last few years have only now been able to give some accurate answers to these questions. In a largely narrative format, Diana Preston, author of numerous works of history designed for the general reader, re-examines the events surrounding the sinking of the Lusitania, focusing in the latter sections of the book on the unanswered questions. Why did the British not provide sufficient naval protection, especially when they were aware of submarine activity within the vicinity of the Irish coast, through a successful cracking of the German codes? Was the Lusitania, as the Germans claim, secretly carrying Canadian troops and munitions to aid the war (thereby making it a perfectly legitimate target), munitions that caused the second explosion, or did the Germans fire two torpedos as the British claimed? However, from the time of the sinking there have been many disputed questions, particularly the crucial question of the cause of the second explosion. It also led to considerable power wrangle among the German authorities and ultimately led to a decision to suspend unrestricted sinking of merchant and passenger ships by German submarines. The sinking was successfully utilised for recruiting purposes by the pre-conscription British Army. It was a powerful propaganda tool for the allies who claimed that the sinking was an unprovoked attack upon women and children, particularly citizens of a neutral country.

The event provoked moral outrage among the British and their allies, but particularly in the USA, which was then still a neutral country.

In just 18 minutes the ship sank, killing 1195 people, 128 of whom were American citizens, including prominent people such as Alfred Vanderbilt. Standard histories of World War One cite the sinking of the Lusitania on May 7, 1915, off the Irish coast, by a German submarine as one of the chief catalysts in America’s entry into the war. WILFUL MURDER: The Sinking of the Lusitania by Diana Preston

Wilful Murder by Diana Preston