Hauling one of the 'Lusitania's' lifeboats onto the beach, Ireland, 8 May 1915. 'Lusitania' was sunk off the Old Head of Kinsdale by a German u-boat on 7 May 1915. Although an unarmed passenger ship, she was carrying munitions. 1198 people lost their lives, of whom 128 were US citizens. The sinking was a significant contributing factor to America's entry into World War I two years later.