Lusitania Murder on the Atlantic
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TVTranscript
00:00:00There are moments in history that change the world forever, when the rule book is ripped
00:00:19up and thrown away and an innocence is lost.
00:00:29One spring day in 1915, 2,000 men, women and children boarded a ship to cross the Atlantic
00:00:34unaware that they would participate in such a moment, unaware that they would become pawns
00:00:41in the great game of war.
00:00:47I was one of those people.
00:01:17I was one of those people.
00:01:47I was one of those people.
00:01:59Alarm!
00:02:08Stop ventilation.
00:02:10Faster, people!
00:02:12Faster, machine!
00:02:14The war had only just started when Germany unleashed a new and deadly weapon, the U-Boat.
00:02:37We'd been trying to starve them into submission with a blockade of their ports.
00:02:42What we were doing was illegal, but effective.
00:02:46In retaliation, their U-Boat commanders were ordered to attack any British vessel they
00:02:51could find, even unarmed merchant ships.
00:03:04The rules of warfare were being rewritten.
00:03:34At the time, the Admiralty, used to ruling the waves, didn't take these underwater tin
00:03:51fish too seriously.
00:03:54Still, to be on the safe side, Naval Intelligence reported any activity to the First Lord of
00:03:59the Admiralty, Winston Churchill.
00:04:02Mr. Churchill?
00:04:04Yes, Tom, what is it?
00:04:08I'm just on my way to see Lord Kitchener about a matter of some urgency.
00:04:27I have half the fleet steaming towards the Dardanelles and no damned infantry to support
00:04:31them.
00:04:32Sir, we've just heard German U-Boats torpedoed another merchant ship yesterday off the Scottish
00:04:36coast.
00:04:37Casualties?
00:04:38Five.
00:04:39No warning given and the ship was totally unarmed.
00:04:45They're flouting every convention of international law.
00:04:47Five.
00:04:48Yes.
00:04:49Well, we mustn't let it rattle us, Hobbs.
00:04:53That is what they want?
00:04:55No.
00:04:56Their submarine campaign is a dismal failure.
00:04:59They are picking off tiny handfuls of small ships out of the many thousands that are using
00:05:04British ports.
00:05:05Water off a duck's back, Hobbs.
00:05:09We must show the world that here it is business as usual.
00:05:14We must continue to attract neutral shipping to our shores, particularly in the hope of
00:05:20entangling the United States with Germany.
00:05:24If some of it should get into trouble, no bad thing.
00:05:29Meaning a few American casualties might hasten their entry into the war.
00:05:35Good day to you.
00:05:51I was returning from a lecture tour of America when I first found out that the Lusitania
00:05:56might be a target for these submarines.
00:05:58There it was, right below the day's sailing times.
00:06:04An extraordinary warning from the German embassy that we might be attacked.
00:06:10America hadn't yet joined the war, so I assumed this was just a bluff to discourage trade
00:06:15with Europe.
00:06:16Surely the Germans wouldn't really contemplate sinking a ship full of innocent people.
00:06:45This was Britain's flagship liner.
00:06:47Not just a ship, but a huge city on the waves.
00:06:51Nothing competed in size and power.
00:06:53She looked indestructible.
00:06:54Mr. Vanderbilt, I understand you can't swim.
00:06:55Did you see the warning in the paper?
00:06:56What was that question?
00:06:57Did you see the warning in the paper?
00:06:58I did.
00:06:59I thought it was scaremongering tactics.
00:07:00They think they can intimidate us that easily, then they're wrong.
00:07:17I don't like it, Tom.
00:07:18Couldn't you talk to him?
00:07:19Tell him we've changed our minds.
00:07:20After all, we've got the children.
00:07:21Don't be daft.
00:07:22No one else is getting up.
00:07:26Isn't your wife worried about you going?
00:07:28Look, three years ago, I booked a passage on the Titanic.
00:07:32Something made me change my mind.
00:07:34I guess someone up there is looking after me.
00:07:37If it was really dangerous, they wouldn't let her sail.
00:07:42Anyway, we'd never get our money back.
00:07:44Don't get yourself all worked up.
00:07:46I'm not getting worked up.
00:07:47I'm just saying it might be worth asking.
00:07:48The fact is, madam, we have a top speed of 25 knots.
00:07:56No ship doing more than 14 knots has ever, ever been torpedoed.
00:08:00We'll get you all safely to Liverpool, I give you my word on that.
00:08:03And you'll be in the capable hands of one of the best ship's masters around, Captain
00:08:06William Turner.
00:08:07Ah, Captain.
00:08:08Can I get you to sign that, please, sir?
00:08:09I don't like carrying munitions.
00:08:10I'm not on a passenger ship.
00:08:11It's only rifle cartridges, shell casings, that sort of thing.
00:08:25All part of the war effort, Captain Turner?
00:08:31Be careful with that.
00:08:32Captain, can I ask what you make of this notice in the papers?
00:08:43Can't believe everything you read in the newspapers, sir.
00:08:46As usual, we're sailing under the guidance and protection of the British Admiralty.
00:08:52They've looked after us very well on all our previous crossings.
00:08:56Now, if you'll excuse me.
00:09:02We've just received this from our people in New York, alongside the sailing times of the
00:09:06Lusitania, sir.
00:09:08Yes?
00:09:09Travelers intending to embark on the Atlantic voyage are reminded that a state of war exists
00:09:14between Germany and Great Britain, and that American sailing and British ships do so at
00:09:19their own risk.
00:09:21It's signed by the Imperial German Embassy.
00:09:29That's a good one.
00:09:31Sir?
00:09:33They talk a good war, Windridge.
00:09:36Threatening something of the Lusitania's size and speed, I hardly think so.
00:09:40Most amusing of the Germans.
00:09:42Not normally known for their sense of humour.
00:09:44Thank you, Windridge.
00:09:45Thank you, sir.
00:09:46As we prepared to set sail, we tried to put all thoughts of submarines and war out of
00:10:15our heads and settle down to enjoy our luxurious surroundings.
00:10:42Morning sir.
00:10:43Morning sir.
00:10:44Take her out.
00:10:45Aye, aye, sir.
00:10:46Start with 15.
00:10:47Start with 15, sir.
00:10:48Dead slowest turn.
00:10:49All engines.
00:10:50Dead slowest turn, sir.
00:10:51Dead slowest turn, sir.
00:10:52We've got to get out of here, we've got to get out of here, we've got to get out of here.
00:11:21At 12.20, we cast off for Liverpool on our seven-day voyage.
00:11:45On board were nearly 2,000 souls.
00:11:49Of my fellow passengers, 200 were Americans and 129 were children.
00:12:08What we didn't know as we sailed west was that on the other side of the Atlantic, 3,500
00:12:14miles away, the German submarine U-20 had also just left its home port and was now heading
00:12:21in our direction.
00:12:35Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on,
00:13:03come on.
00:13:04Aye, aye, sir.
00:13:05Aye, aye, sir.
00:13:06Aye, aye, sir.
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00:15:29Aye, aye, sir.
00:15:39[♪ dramatic music playing ♪
00:15:41♪♪♪♪♪
00:15:45[♪ tall music playing ♪♪♪♪ ♪♪♪♪♪♪ File Playing on Radio Starts Playing♪♪♪
00:16:11Little did the U-boat commander know that the Admiralty had intercepted his coded messages.
00:16:38Intelligence like this was a godsend.
00:16:48It meant ships could be diverted out of harm's way, though it had to be used sparingly, or the Germans would guess their codes had been broken.
00:17:08Sir? Ah, thank you.
00:17:20Sir, what are the eggheads telling us, Windridge?
00:17:22They've deciphered more U-boat signals, sir.
00:17:24Excellent. And?
00:17:26Well, so far they indicate the U-28 here, remaining in the North Sea, while the U-20 is going west about Ireland into the Irish Sea.
00:17:35They also decoded this earlier. It came from German high command to all U-boats.
00:17:42Fastimo Lusitania expected Liverpool 7th or 8th May.
00:17:45She must be a target, sir. What do you want us to do?
00:17:48She's still hundreds of miles off. Nothing we can do, Windridge, for the moment.
00:18:04We were still four days outside the range of any U-boat, but the Lusitania's powerful steam turbine engines were taking us closer by the hour.
00:18:21In first class, we were suffering a strict embargo on German wines and enemy mineral water.
00:18:28But there was no shortage of movie stars, famous philosophers, suffragettes, entrepreneurs, and among them, multi-millionaire playboy Alfred Vanderbilt.
00:18:38We must play this game.
00:18:40Game? I like games.
00:18:42Do you?
00:18:43How do we play it?
00:18:44Oh, you buy a ticket for a dollar, and you have to guess how many miles you're going to do in the next 24 hours, and whoever's closest wins.
00:18:52So what is it? A hundred miles a day or something?
00:18:55Oh, much more than that. I will say 512, because I have 12 racehorses.
00:19:03And I'll say, oh, 509, because the ninth is my birthday.
00:19:11Right. Bring us some cocktails, will you? What will you have?
00:19:17I'll have a ginseng. No, a single porcelain.
00:19:22There you are. A little boat. If you want to go through a road or a little island.
00:19:40Excuse me, is this chair free?
00:19:42Yes.
00:19:53Seasick?
00:19:58Bad luck?
00:20:02Where have your parents got to?
00:20:04My mother's in America.
00:20:08And my daddy is dead.
00:20:14I'm sorry.
00:20:16Grown-ups always say that.
00:20:19Yeah, well, grown-ups have very little imagination.
00:20:23So who's looking after you?
00:20:25My nurse, Hilda.
00:20:28Why are you wearing that hat?
00:20:34It's a Scottish hat. I live in Scotland, under an island.
00:20:40All by yourself?
00:20:42No. My wife and our three boys.
00:20:48There's some other folk live there, too.
00:20:54I know a very good cure for seasickness.
00:20:59Exploring.
00:21:01How about a tour of the ship?
00:21:02Yes, please.
00:21:06Professor Holborn, in your service.
00:21:08Miss Amos Dolphin.
00:21:10Like the fish.
00:21:12It's not a fish, it's a mammal.
00:21:18Climb on it. In you go.
00:21:25It was as if the crew shared the Admiralty's calm confidence that no harm would befall us.
00:21:36They showed little enthusiasm, or competence, during the infrequent lifeboat drills.
00:21:49I know what you're going to say.
00:21:51But our best men have been taken by the Navy.
00:21:53Till then, we need to go on drilling this lot until they at least look like they know what they're doing.
00:22:03Oh, and Mr Vanderbilt has requested a tour of the bridge.
00:22:06What? Oh, God.
00:22:08Apparently the master of the Mauritania entertained him to a cocktail party up there last time.
00:22:12Cocktails? Another bloody nightclub.
00:22:16I've told him no, sir.
00:22:17Cunard regrets special wartime restrictions are in place.
00:22:20Sounded very convincing, if I say so myself.
00:22:23Good.
00:22:29How's she handling, Johnston?
00:22:32Carrying two degrees of port bow to my time course, sir.
00:22:38Weather's closing in, sir.
00:22:40Yes, I think you might be right there.
00:22:43What course shall we be taking, sir, when we get to the war zone?
00:22:46What business is that of yours, Johnston?
00:22:49None, sir.
00:22:50In wartime, navigational orders are confidential to myself and Captain Anderson, understood?
00:22:56Sir?
00:22:58Carry on, Anderson.
00:23:04Forget it, Johnston, it's nothing personal.
00:23:06Thousands of lives in his hands, don't forget.
00:23:09You've worked with him a long time, sir?
00:23:12A very long time.
00:23:21Come.
00:23:24Sir, we've just heard a small merchant ship's been sunk just off the south coast of Ireland.
00:23:29Looks like new 20s started her work.
00:23:31Right, we must alert all warships in the area.
00:23:34Sir.
00:23:37We troopship Orion due out of Devonport tonight, don't we?
00:23:40Yes, sir, heading north.
00:23:41Well, let's hold her in port until further notice.
00:23:43Yes, sir. An HMS Gloucester's on her way from the Medbacks to Liverpool.
00:23:46Get a message sent to her urgently. She's to maintain at least 20 knots and zigzag.
00:23:49Yes, sir.
00:23:50The ship went down here and was last sighted at 14.30 today near Queenstown,
00:23:54so U-20's position must be somewhere near here.
00:23:58The Lusitania's also headed that way.
00:24:01Maybe we could reroute her out of harm's way north abouts Ireland.
00:24:06That would add an extra day or so on to her passage.
00:24:09I don't think we need to impose such a great inconvenience on the many hundreds of passengers, Windridge.
00:24:14Yes, sir.
00:24:21The U-20 was having little success.
00:24:24She'd only sunk a small fishing boat.
00:24:26Now, she was low on fuel and supplies
00:24:29and desperately hunting for a few trophies before her return to Germany.
00:24:34We didn't come all the way here just to sink a few mussels.
00:24:39The Tommies know where we are now. It won't make it any easier.
00:24:45Is it loaded with fuel?
00:24:47Ship ahead! Big steamer!
00:24:50Distance, 2,000 metres!
00:24:53Alarm!
00:24:54Alarm!
00:24:55Alarm!
00:24:56Alarm!
00:24:57Alarm!
00:24:58Alarm!
00:24:59Alarm!
00:25:00Alarm!
00:25:01Alarm!
00:25:02Alarm!
00:25:03Alarm!
00:25:04At last!
00:25:05Clear vents.
00:25:07Clear vents!
00:25:08Clear vents!
00:25:10Flooding!
00:25:12Flooding!
00:25:13Flooding!
00:25:15Switch to battery operation.
00:25:17Switch to battery operation.
00:25:19Seize the front!
00:25:20Seize both!
00:25:24Row the boat!
00:25:27Clear room 1!
00:25:29Clear room 1!
00:25:30Clear room 1!
00:25:31Clear the hall!
00:25:33Clear the hall!
00:25:34Go, go, go!
00:25:44Deeper, Lanz!
00:25:46Five in the back.
00:25:47Five in the back.
00:25:51There he is.
00:25:53No sound protection.
00:25:54Lanz.
00:25:58No signs of recognition.
00:26:00Looks like an English supply train.
00:26:03Approximately 6,000 tons.
00:26:05Opposite track 15.
00:26:06So?
00:26:08Go, men!
00:26:12Opposite track 60.
00:26:14Both machines ahead.
00:26:15Long journey.
00:26:16Both machines ahead.
00:26:17Long journey.
00:26:18Torpedo speed 30.
00:26:20Torpedo speed 30.
00:26:21Distance 600.
00:26:22Distance 600.
00:26:23Torpedo speed 30.
00:26:25Distance 600.
00:26:30And land with us!
00:26:33Tube 1 is clear.
00:26:35Torpedo tube 1 is clear.
00:26:37He saw us.
00:26:42Tube 1.
00:26:44Go!
00:26:45Tube 1, go!
00:26:47And go!
00:26:51Torpedo light!
00:26:54Finger!
00:27:00Five.
00:27:01Six.
00:27:02Seven.
00:27:03Eight.
00:27:04Nine.
00:27:05Ten.
00:27:06Eleven.
00:27:07Twelve.
00:27:08Thirteen.
00:27:11Is there any tea left?
00:27:15Thanks very much.
00:27:21South of Conningberg lighthouse.
00:27:22South of Conningberg lighthouse.
00:27:28Hit!
00:27:29Yeah!
00:27:51Hey, let me in.
00:28:00Do you think the Germans really will try and get us?
00:28:03No, no. I just believe in being prepared, that's all.
00:28:06Prepare for the worst, and you can expect the best.
00:28:09And when we get to Liverpool, Miss Dolphin, where will you be going then?
00:28:12To school. Mother says it will make a lady of me.
00:28:23Oh, yeah.
00:28:24My husband got it from the steward.
00:28:25We got it from one of the students.
00:28:26Oh, yeah.
00:28:27My husband got it from the steward.
00:28:28We got it from one of the stokers in the boiler room.
00:28:31We're carrying loads of it.
00:28:33They wouldn't put that on a ship carrying children, surely?
00:28:36They would, and they have.
00:28:38The cargo hold's full of it.
00:28:39Shells, bullets, all kinds of stuff.
00:28:42We'll be glad when this is over and we get to Liverpool.
00:28:44Right.
00:28:45This one's not been happy.
00:28:46Won't settle unless she's in my arms.
00:28:48Those two are so excited they've hardly slept.
00:28:52Peggy.
00:28:53Tom.
00:28:54I won't have her smoking around with the lads.
00:28:56I'll see you in the dinner while I...
00:29:07Dorothy, look at this.
00:29:09Only 462 miles.
00:29:11That's darn slow.
00:29:19Not bad for today.
00:29:21And now?
00:29:25We need two torpedoes as a reserve.
00:29:28For the return march.
00:29:34We could take course for Liverpool.
00:29:40Or continue along the coast to the west.
00:29:45And play the reception committee for the Lusitania.
00:29:48She should be here tomorrow.
00:29:55Passenger steamer.
00:29:58Do you really think she only has passengers on board?
00:30:02In the British fleet register,
00:30:05she's being led as an armed aid cruiser.
00:30:08Here.
00:30:11We have orders to sink every enemy ship.
00:30:18We won't cause much damage with one torpedo.
00:30:20But we could miss a more powerful one.
00:30:23If we catch them.
00:30:51We've cleared all our ships out of the area, haven't we?
00:30:54Yes, sir.
00:30:56But there's still the Lusitania, sir.
00:30:59Due in on that route first thing tomorrow.
00:31:02Should we send a destroyer escort, sir?
00:31:06Windridge, close the door.
00:31:15We cannot nursemaid every civilian ship out there.
00:31:18The Navy simply hasn't the resources.
00:31:21We've half the fleet in the Mediterranean trying to win the war.
00:31:25Just issue the standard U-boat warning to all shipping in the area.
00:31:29Yes, sir.
00:31:36The Admiralty's standard U-boat warning was nothing new.
00:31:40It was sent out nearly every night.
00:31:43Of course, we knew nothing of how our fate was being decided.
00:31:48We were more preoccupied with that regular feature of transatlantic crossings.
00:31:52The passenger talent contest.
00:31:58Can you juggle, Professor?
00:32:00No, I'm afraid I can't.
00:32:07I could teach you if you like.
00:32:09I taught my nurse, Hilda.
00:32:12Where is your nurse tonight?
00:32:14There's a dance tonight below.
00:32:16She's gone with one of the sailors.
00:32:19Oh.
00:32:21Right.
00:32:23She says he's not much to look at, but he's a good kisser.
00:32:26Thank you, Mr Davison. Marvellous stuff. Marvellous.
00:32:28Next, we are incredibly lucky to welcome straight from Broadway
00:32:33the lovely Miss Dorothy Taylor.
00:32:34As a child I went wild when the band played
00:32:49How I ran to the man when his hand swayed
00:32:56Clarinets were my pets and a slight trombone
00:33:03I thought was simply divine
00:33:12Evening, sir. A signal from the Admiralty.
00:33:16Avoid headlands. Steer mid-tunnel course.
00:33:20Submarines off Irish coast.
00:33:24Is that it?
00:33:26That's all, sir.
00:33:27Well then, gentlemen.
00:33:29We just had a U-boat warning from the Admiralty.
00:33:32They're far off, but we'd better take precautions.
00:33:35Price.
00:33:37What's up?
00:33:39Double the lookouts. Darken the ship.
00:33:41Prepare the lifeboats.
00:33:43Aye, aye, sir.
00:33:45I'll inform the passengers.
00:33:47So you can keep your fiddle and your bow
00:33:50Give me a P-I-A-N-O-O-O
00:33:58I love to stop right beside an upright
00:34:05Or a high-toned baby grand
00:34:19We are truly honoured to witness a performance of such calibre.
00:34:24Ah, Captain Turner.
00:34:28Thank you.
00:34:35Ladies and gentlemen, I shan't be singing a song.
00:34:40We've had a warning from the British Admiralty
00:34:43that German submarines have been reported off the coast of Ireland.
00:34:49However, there's no cause for alarm.
00:34:53Don't worry. I'll look after you.
00:34:54On entering the war zone tomorrow morning,
00:34:58we shall be securely in the care of the Royal Navy.
00:35:04I would only ask you to take the precaution
00:35:07of keeping curtains drawn in your cabins tonight
00:35:11and ask gentlemen not to light their cigarettes on deck.
00:35:16Otherwise, please continue to enjoy the entertainment. Thank you.
00:35:25Get up to the bridge as soon as you finish here.
00:35:28Are they sending us an escort?
00:35:30No word yet.
00:35:34I have to find it.
00:35:36Captain.
00:35:38Sir?
00:35:40I see by the ship's bulletin that we're not reaching top speed
00:35:44and I'd like to know why that is.
00:35:47It's because we've only three out of four boiler rooms operational on this crossing, sir.
00:35:53But that's a disgrace.
00:35:55We were told no U-boat could catch the ship and now he's slowing us down.
00:36:00You know, the chairman of Cunard is an old friend of mine
00:36:05and I'm sure he too would like to know what exactly you're up to.
00:36:09He knows perfectly well what I'm up to.
00:36:12He issued the instructions to conserve coal supplies himself,
00:36:16part of the company's war effort.
00:36:19Oh.
00:36:21But we're only down from 24 to 21 knots, sir.
00:36:27And U-boats can barely make 12 knots with the following sea.
00:36:33Good night.
00:36:37This is madness, Alice. We'll be freezing up there.
00:36:41We'll be warm enough with the blankets.
00:36:43I am not spending the night deep down in our cabin with submarines around.
00:36:47I want to be on top where I can see what's happening
00:36:48and not near a lifeboat, thank you very much.
00:36:56Fog. It's the last thing we need.
00:36:59Still, it's the last thing they need too.
00:37:02In the sub, they'll be waiting for first light, I reckon.
00:37:19It's not so bad, actually.
00:37:22Reminds me of when we were carting.
00:37:25That seems like a lifetime ago.
00:37:27Yeah.
00:37:29We was just kids, weren't we?
00:37:31Yeah. One of us still is.
00:37:37Good night, Professor.
00:37:39Night, night.
00:37:41Good night, Professor.
00:37:43Night, night.
00:37:47It's sleep time.
00:38:10Day 3
00:38:35What's going on with you guys?
00:38:37We missed two ships today.
00:38:38Yeah, two civilian ships.
00:38:43Now listen to me.
00:38:45My family in Hamburg will soon have nothing to eat because of the British blockade.
00:38:49They are also civilians.
00:38:51Think about that, Vögele.
00:38:53Yes, sir.
00:39:09Day 4
00:39:25Reduce speed 15 knots.
00:39:27Reduce speed 15 knots.
00:39:31Down to 15 knots, sir.
00:39:33Down to 15 knots, sir.
00:39:35We can't risk going any faster when we can't see our own hands in front of our faces.
00:39:38I want a full head of steam.
00:39:40We may need full speed at a moment's notice.
00:39:42Aye, aye, sir.
00:39:49Any more from the Admiralty?
00:39:51Nothing.
00:39:53But with any luck, this will burn off in an hour or two.
00:39:55We can get our bearings and begin to pick up some speed.
00:39:58Yes, until then, let's go steam in the head and do God knows what.
00:40:02Lord, how is a decent person supposed to get through a hangover with that racket going on?
00:40:12Always good to wake up to champagne.
00:40:23Surely that noise is just advertising our position.
00:40:26Are you really worried about those submarines?
00:40:29No.
00:40:31No?
00:40:34What if one came now?
00:40:38Boom.
00:40:40Then I'd die in the arms of a beautiful woman.
00:40:43Dying? Forget it.
00:40:45I'll be swimming for sure.
00:40:47Won't you?
00:40:49Can't swim.
00:40:51Oh, I'll give you a tow.
00:40:52What a girl you are.
00:40:54Look at you.
00:40:56You can swim.
00:40:58You sing like an angel.
00:41:00And you earn a darn good living, which is more than I could see.
00:41:03Yeah, well, comes with being born penniless.
00:41:07I look at my life and I think, you know, what have I actually done?
00:41:14Except pay a lot of people to do things for me.
00:41:17Morning.
00:41:19Yes.
00:41:21Yes, indeed, sir.
00:41:23Of course, I understand.
00:41:25May I ask you to hold for a moment, please, sir?
00:41:28Thank you.
00:41:30It's the chairman of Cunard, sir.
00:41:32What?
00:41:34He's heard about the torpedoed ships.
00:41:36What did he say?
00:41:38Nothing.
00:41:40I'm afraid he's gone.
00:41:42What?
00:41:43He's gone, sir.
00:41:45What?
00:41:47He's heard about the torpedoed ships.
00:41:49Want to know what we're going to do to protect the Lusitania.
00:41:51Cunard chairman?
00:41:53I don't telephone him every morning to check he's doing his job.
00:41:55Tell him to bugger off.
00:41:58Thank you so much for waiting, sir.
00:42:00Won't be much longer.
00:42:02All right, tell him we'll issue a special warning, direct to her, captain.
00:42:08Sir, we're going to issue a special warning.
00:42:14Almost 24 hours had passed since the last U-20 attack
00:42:18and only now was that information being relayed to the Lusitania.
00:42:22It's been a long time.
00:42:24It's been a long time.
00:42:26It's been a long time.
00:42:28It's been a long time.
00:42:29And only now was that information being relayed to the Lusitania.
00:42:32It looks like a browhead.
00:42:34I thought we'd have passed that already.
00:42:36Hard to tell.
00:42:38Still at least it's clearing up a bit.
00:42:40Price.
00:42:42Sir.
00:42:44Take her back up to 18 knots.
00:42:4618 knots, sir.
00:42:48At last.
00:42:50Submarines active in the southern part Irish Channel.
00:42:53Last heard of, 20 miles south of Cunningbeg light ship.
00:42:56What does that mean?
00:42:57What does that mean?
00:43:00Last heard of.
00:43:01When?
00:43:02Last week, last night, an hour ago.
00:43:05Oh, they're playing.
00:43:06God knows.
00:43:10I must get a fix in our position in case
00:43:11the weather comes in again.
00:43:13Then, if we get any decent information, I can act on it.
00:43:17I'll bring her in closer.
00:43:20See if that is Browhead.
00:43:22John Stinney?
00:43:23Sir?
00:43:24Starboard 10.
00:43:24Starboard 10, sir.
00:43:28With the fog lifting and the sight of the Irish coast,
00:43:33our spirits rose.
00:43:36Do you see them cliffs, Jo?
00:43:39That'll be Ireland.
00:43:43Not long now.
00:43:44One of us should really go down and pack.
00:43:46I'll go.
00:43:47Jo can help me.
00:43:48Come on, let's go.
00:43:49Be all right.
00:43:50Yeah, we'll be fine.
00:43:57Tsk.
00:44:28Is that?
00:44:30It must be her.
00:44:33The Lusitania.
00:44:36Thank God.
00:44:41All right, let's try it.
00:44:44Attack!
00:44:45To the battle station!
00:44:47To the battle station!
00:44:52Front, middle.
00:44:53Front, middle.
00:44:54Back, middle.
00:44:55Middle.
00:44:58Front, top, 5.
00:44:59Front, top, 5.
00:45:00Point, up.
00:45:01Point, up.
00:45:02Both, middle.
00:45:03Both, middle.
00:45:05Boat, steer to seabed depth.
00:45:07Boat, steer to seabed depth.
00:45:12Boat, steer to seabed depth.
00:45:17She's so slow.
00:45:21Lance?
00:45:22Yeah.
00:45:43Professor?
00:45:46Morning, young lady.
00:45:49You all packed and ready to go ashore?
00:45:52Look, that is Ireland.
00:45:56We're almost there, Avis.
00:45:59We'll soon see my boys again.
00:46:03What is it?
00:46:06Will you come and visit me at my school?
00:46:10I'll tell you what, even better.
00:46:13You can come and visit us.
00:46:15Climb the hills, and my boys will take you out on our boat,
00:46:18and you can catch crabs for your supper.
00:46:21Promise?
00:46:22Really promise?
00:46:23Cross my heart.
00:46:24Hope to die.
00:46:28Come on, let's have some lunch.
00:46:45Unmöglich.
00:46:47Es geht nicht.
00:46:51Sie ist zu weit weg.
00:46:53Mit der Peilung kriegen wir sie nie und nimmer.
00:47:04Sir, headland to port, sir.
00:47:07Two points above the bow.
00:47:09Looks like old Heather can sail.
00:47:11Indeed?
00:47:12Excellent.
00:47:13I want a four-point fix on the lighthouse, please, Mr. Besting.
00:47:18Sir.
00:47:19Steer south, 87 east.
00:47:21South, 87 east.
00:47:23South, 87 east, sir.
00:47:34Meine GĂ¼te.
00:47:37Sie ändert den Kurs.
00:47:39Sie läuft direkt auf uns zu.
00:47:44Eins klar machen zum Unterwasserschuss.
00:47:49Rohr eins klar machen zum Unterwasserschuss.
00:47:52Torpedo, Rohr eins klar machen.
00:47:56Torpedo, Rohr eins klar machen.
00:47:58Torpedo, Rohr eins klar machen.
00:48:18Hey, blow.
00:48:22Imagine.
00:48:23Time for me to take a stroll around the deck.
00:48:25Aren't you finishing your pudding?
00:48:27No, too sweet for me.
00:48:29I'll set up the decoy, shall I?
00:48:31It won't be long.
00:48:33Excuse me.
00:48:55800.
00:48:57Birds.
00:48:59Torpedo speed 30.
00:49:01Distance 800.
00:49:03Torpedo speed 30.
00:49:05Distance 800.
00:49:13Okay, guys. Get in with the thing.
00:49:17O-1 is clear.
00:49:21O-1 is clear for underwater fire.
00:49:23O-1 to O-1.
00:49:25Open the muzzle flap.
00:49:29O-1 to O-1.
00:49:31Open muzzle flap.
00:49:33O-1 to O-1.
00:49:35Open muzzle flap!
00:49:39O-1 to O-1.
00:49:41Open muzzle flap.
00:49:45And?
00:49:47O-1 is clear.
00:49:49Muzzle flap is open.
00:49:51Miss One, ready for the shot. Miss One.
00:50:10Go!
00:50:13Friedle!
00:50:15No, I can't. There are women and children on board.
00:50:17Miss One, just for God's sake!
00:50:19Go, for God's sake!
00:50:21I can't.
00:50:23Go!
00:50:24And go!
00:50:32Velo's running.
00:50:34One, two, three.
00:50:44Torpedo closing on the starboard bow!
00:50:47Where? Oh, my God.
00:50:50Oh, my God.
00:50:5234, 35, 36.
00:50:57Harder starboard!
00:50:58Harder starboard!
00:51:04My God, he's gonna hit us.
00:51:18Hit!
00:51:25Now!
00:51:44What was that?
00:51:46What was that?
00:51:47What?
00:51:51Please, everyone, keep calm.
00:51:55If we have been hit, we shall simply put into port.
00:51:59All of you make your way to the lifeboats,
00:52:01and I suggest you find yourselves a lifejacket.
00:52:04I guess we should do as the man says.
00:52:16We're doing it! We're doing it!
00:52:21Get to land, Captain.
00:52:22This is Pratt, sir.
00:52:23Signal for assistance.
00:52:24Sir, she's not responding, sir.
00:52:25Harder starboard!
00:52:27The ship's not answering, sir.
00:52:29Lost pressure.
00:52:31Oh, God!
00:52:34Get out! Get out! Get out!
00:52:38Boyce, the not-in-command signal.
00:52:40Aye, aye, sir.
00:52:41Go to the engine room, find out what the problem is,
00:52:43see what can be done.
00:52:44Aye, aye, sir.
00:52:46Engines are out of commission.
00:52:48Sir, seven degree less to starboard, sir.
00:52:51At this rate, we won't make it to port.
00:52:53Lower the lifeboats to the rail, Anderson,
00:52:55but don't launch until we've slowed.
00:52:58Yes, sir.
00:53:01Good luck.
00:53:15Come on.
00:53:17We must find Daddy.
00:53:19Come on.
00:53:23Hold on tight, Joe.
00:53:25Don't let go.
00:53:29Look out, Sajid!
00:53:31Dad!
00:53:33Sajid!
00:53:35Sajid!
00:53:37Sajid!
00:53:39Sajid!
00:53:41Sajid!
00:53:42Dad!
00:53:43Joe, where are you? Joe!
00:53:46Dad!
00:53:47Joe, where are you? Joe!
00:53:52Plenty of time, ladies and gentlemen.
00:53:53Tom! Tom!
00:53:55Joe!
00:53:57Tom!
00:54:01Hold on to these for your Daddy and Joe.
00:54:04Plenty of time, ladies. Plenty of time.
00:54:06Plenty of time.
00:54:11Get me through. Get me through.
00:54:16Davis!
00:54:17Hurry up, Sajid. One more. One more.
00:54:20There's room for one more.
00:54:21It's full!
00:54:22Close it.
00:54:24I'll see you upstairs.
00:54:29Davis.
00:54:30There's been a torpedo.
00:54:32There has indeed.
00:54:33Come along. Let's see if we can't find your life jacket.
00:54:35And I want you to hold my hand very, very tightly and not let go, all right?
00:54:38All right.
00:55:02Who's got something to get this open with?
00:55:06Come on! Come on!
00:55:09Signals!
00:55:10Sir!
00:55:11Send an SOS. Come at once. Listing to the south of Oakland Sail.
00:55:35It's unbelievable.
00:55:44Keep the boat deck clear!
00:55:46Stand...
00:55:48Stand back from the boat, please!
00:55:55Hold it! Hold it! Stand back!
00:55:57It's still moving too fast!
00:56:00Stand back, please! Keep calm!
00:56:02We're having a good time!
00:56:06There you are.
00:56:07No!
00:56:09Let's get you your life jacket, shall we?
00:56:11Thank you.
00:56:13Turn round.
00:56:15Okay, you got it.
00:56:16Now, don't fiddle with these straps, all right?
00:56:20Haven't you got one?
00:56:26I'll find one.
00:56:27There's one in my cabin.
00:56:28No.
00:56:30We don't go down.
00:56:31We just stay up here, all right?
00:56:33There we are.
00:56:36Are we going to sink, Professor?
00:56:38In a big ship like this?
00:56:41We'll just be prepared, that's all.
00:56:44There.
00:56:46Come on.
00:56:50The list is 13 degrees, sir.
00:56:54Well, Mr Price?
00:56:55The four bulkheads come.
00:56:57And boiler rooms one, two and three are flooded.
00:56:59I can get no further for inspections.
00:57:02Her speed is forcing water into the hull.
00:57:04She's filling faster.
00:57:05There's nothing that can be done to slow her
00:57:07so we can get the lifeboats down here.
00:57:09No, thanks.
00:57:11The list is 40 degrees starboard, sir.
00:57:22Dorothy!
00:57:24Dorothy!
00:57:32Dorothy!
00:57:35Will you stop grabbing?
00:57:36Just...
00:57:37How do you put these on?
00:57:39You're all... Come on, now, stop it, will you?
00:57:41Just take your time.
00:57:43Can I give you a hand there?
00:57:45They'll all drown anyway.
00:57:47How do you put these on?
00:57:48We'll show them how.
00:57:50Come on!
00:57:51Come on!
00:57:53We will lower the boats as soon as he is safe to do so.
00:57:56Come on.
00:57:57As soon as he is safe to do so.
00:57:58Get out of my way!
00:57:59Wait!
00:58:00We're sinking, you runny fool!
00:58:01Ladies and gentlemen!
00:58:02Get out of my way!
00:58:03Please, for your own safety!
00:58:04Get out of my way!
00:58:09What are you doing?
00:58:11Stop!
00:58:29Someone must have something to get this open with.
00:58:40Oh, my God!
00:59:11Give me those!
00:59:12No!
00:59:13Throw them away!
00:59:14Don't let it stop!
00:59:15Get off!
00:59:16Get off!
00:59:32Oh, my God!
00:59:37Help!
00:59:38I'm going to drown!
00:59:39Ah!
00:59:40Ah!
00:59:41Ah!
00:59:42Ah!
00:59:43Ah!
00:59:44You all right?
00:59:45Yes.
00:59:46Good girl.
00:59:47Come on.
00:59:48Let's get you into a boat.
00:59:49Ah!
00:59:50Come on.
00:59:51Ah!
00:59:52Ah!
00:59:53Ah!
00:59:54Ah!
00:59:55Ah!
00:59:56Ah!
00:59:57Ah!
00:59:58Ah!
00:59:59Ah!
01:00:00Ah!
01:00:01Ah!
01:00:02Ah!
01:00:03Ah!
01:00:04Ah!
01:00:05Ah!
01:00:06Ah!
01:00:07Ah!
01:00:09Gentlemen.
01:00:10Abandon ship.
01:00:11Johnston, get out.
01:00:12Save yourself.
01:00:13Go on, tell Anderson we've slowed enough to lower the boat.
01:00:14Sir?
01:00:15That's an order.
01:00:16Ah!
01:00:17Ah!
01:00:18Ah!
01:00:19Ah!
01:00:20Ah!
01:00:21Ah!
01:00:22Ah!
01:00:23Ah!
01:00:24Ah!
01:00:25Ah!
01:00:26Ah!
01:00:27Ah!
01:00:28Ah!
01:00:29Ah!
01:00:30Ah!
01:00:31Ah!
01:00:32Ah!
01:00:33Ah!
01:00:34Ah!
01:00:35Ah!
01:00:36Ah!
01:00:37Ah!
01:00:38Ah!
01:00:39Ah!
01:00:40Ah!
01:00:41Aargh!
01:00:42Sir!
01:00:43Sir!
01:00:44The captain says you can go ahead and launch the boats.
01:00:47Women and children first, please!
01:00:49I said, women and children first, please!
01:00:51When you get to Britain, find my wife and children for me.
01:00:58Kiss them goodbye for me.
01:01:02I want you to come, too.
01:01:04No chance.
01:01:05No.
01:01:06One more.
01:01:07That's fine.
01:01:08Stand back.
01:01:09Stand clear.
01:01:10Lower the boat.
01:01:11That's it, that's it, that's it, that's it, that's it, that's it, that's it, that's it.
01:01:42One at a time.
01:01:43Don't push, ladies.
01:01:44Don't push.
01:01:45Please.
01:01:46I'm going to get you on the boat.
01:01:47Okay?
01:01:48You ready?
01:01:49Go.
01:01:50Jenny!
01:01:51Come on, darling.
01:01:52I've got you.
01:01:53Jenny!
01:01:54Go down there!
01:01:55Pass the baby!
01:01:56Come on!
01:01:57Pass the baby!
01:01:58Jenny!
01:01:59Jenny!
01:02:00Jenny!
01:02:01Jenny!
01:02:02Jenny!
01:02:03Jenny!
01:02:04Jenny!
01:02:05Jenny!
01:02:06Jenny!
01:02:08Pass the baby!
01:02:09Come on!
01:02:10Pass the baby!
01:02:11I can't!
01:02:12I can't!
01:02:13There's nothing else for it.
01:02:14Come on!
01:02:15We can't hold this!
01:02:16Stand back!
01:02:17Okay, on the count of three.
01:02:18One, two, three.
01:02:19Hurry!
01:02:20Come on!
01:02:21Jump!
01:02:22Go you, go you!
01:02:23Come on!
01:02:24Ah!
01:02:25Ah!
01:02:26Ah!
01:02:27Ah!
01:02:28Ah!
01:02:29Ah!
01:02:30Ah!
01:02:31Ah!
01:02:32Ah!
01:02:33Ah!
01:02:34Ah!
01:02:35Ah!
01:02:36Sit down!
01:02:37Fall down!
01:02:42Jenny!
01:02:43Come on, Jenny!
01:02:44Come down!
01:02:45Oh, she's still there!
01:02:46There she is!
01:02:47She's still lying there!
01:02:48Jenny!
01:02:49Do something!
01:02:50Help!
01:02:51Jenny, help!
01:02:52Pull her down!
01:02:53Oh, sorry!
01:02:54Jenny, come on!
01:02:55It's like she's still there!
01:02:56That's it!
01:02:57She's a miracle!
01:02:58She's a miracle!
01:02:59That's it!
01:03:00It's too late!
01:03:01Go, go, go!
01:03:02It takes so long to become humble!
01:03:03Mama, Mama, Mama!
01:03:04Watching you, and she's just scheduled
01:03:05Oh, it's cold in here!
01:03:07Oh, it's cold!
01:03:10Help!
01:03:13Save me!
01:03:16Help!
01:03:16Give this to anybody who can save me!
01:03:19I'll save you, Miss.
01:03:21No!
01:03:23Come on, Miss.
01:03:24Come on.
01:03:25Give me your hand.
01:03:26No!
01:03:27It's cold!
01:03:28No!
01:03:29No!
01:03:31Help!
01:03:32Help me!
01:03:34Agnes!
01:03:55Agnes!
01:04:00Ivar! Ivar!
01:04:06Ivar! Ivar!
01:04:20Ivar!
01:04:30Ivar!
01:04:41Ivar!
01:05:00Ivar!
01:05:09Ivar!
01:05:16Ivar!
01:05:30Ivar!
01:06:00Ivar!
01:06:26Dorothy!
01:06:28Dorothy!
01:06:32Dorothy!
01:06:58Ivar!
01:07:15That's it.
01:07:2218 minutes.
01:07:28Rescue ships will be here soon.
01:07:32War ships too.
01:07:37Yes.
01:07:41We're going to Heimatkurs.
01:07:43Heimatkurs.
01:07:58Heimatkurs.
01:08:28Heimatkurs.
01:08:49Some held on to life for four hours before being rescued.
01:08:54But for most, the bitterly cold Atlantic proved too much.
01:09:18Sir.
01:09:19Windridge, what the hell do you want?
01:09:22Lusitania's been sunk, sir.
01:09:242.30pm today, eight miles off the Irish coast.
01:09:27Sunk?
01:09:28Torpedo, sir.
01:09:30She went down in less than 20 minutes.
01:09:32Impossible.
01:09:33Coast guards saw her from the shore.
01:09:35Rescue operation is underway.
01:09:37But casualties are expected to be high.
01:09:44Excuse me, gentlemen.
01:09:46Windridge.
01:09:47Sir.
01:09:51Sir.
01:09:53We also intercepted this from U-20 to base,
01:09:55saying she did the job with just one torpedo.
01:09:57One torpedo?
01:09:58Yes, sir.
01:09:59And she sank in 20 minutes.
01:10:04Hell of a damnation.
01:10:09Her cargo must have exploded.
01:10:12This must not get out, understood?
01:10:16In fact,
01:10:18I want every U-boat message we've intercepted in the last week in my office,
01:10:22under lock and key, within the hour.
01:10:24Yes, sir.
01:10:31Mary, I need to get a message to Mr Churchill at once.
01:10:493.30pm
01:11:09All that evening,
01:11:11a ghastly procession of rescue ships brought the living and the dead ashore.
01:11:17Over 1,200 people had perished.
01:11:25Just 35 out of 129 children had survived.
01:11:32And only 4 out of 39 babies.
01:11:36Shh.
01:11:44Have you seen a young brown head boy and his father?
01:11:55Among the survivors was Captain Turner.
01:11:59He had miraculously been pulled unconscious from the water.
01:12:053.30pm
01:12:363.30pm
01:12:46Well, Hobbs, grave news indeed.
01:12:49Indeed, sir.
01:12:51The Prime Minister wants an inquiry.
01:12:53Questions in the House and abroad.
01:12:56Did we do enough to protect her?
01:12:58Could we have done more?
01:13:01Naturally, it is of the very first importance
01:13:03that no blame or negligence is attached to the Admiralty.
01:13:07We welcome an inquiry.
01:13:09We have nothing to hide.
01:13:12I hope not, Hobbs.
01:13:14Our navigational orders to the Captain were full and precise.
01:13:18Sadly, he seems to have chosen not to obey them.
01:13:22Oh?
01:13:23I've been studying his course.
01:13:25Whether he acted out of sheer incompetence,
01:13:28or because he's been got at by the Germans, we don't yet know.
01:13:32Well, let us find out.
01:13:34He must be pursued without check.
01:13:36We are compiling a full report on him.
01:13:38Very good.
01:13:40Now, there is one other matter pertaining to this affair.
01:13:45The German government is seeking to justify the attack
01:13:48by claiming that the ship was carrying armaments,
01:13:51and that these must have exploded in the hold.
01:13:54Why else, they ask, would such a large ship have sunk so quickly,
01:13:58having been struck by only one torpedo?
01:14:01Well, plenty of survivors think they saw more than one torpedo.
01:14:06Funny how the memory plays tricks.
01:14:09And we can see to it that they are the ones called
01:14:12to give evidence at the inquiry.
01:14:14Oh.
01:14:15Of course, with the ship at the bottom of the ocean,
01:14:18it's impossible to prove absolutely either way.
01:14:21Good work, Hobbs.
01:14:52Can you manage this?
01:14:58Anyone here by the name of Holborn?
01:15:00Here.
01:15:22Are you all right?
01:15:30Yes, child.
01:15:34You're not going to die, are you?
01:15:39I wouldn't dream of it.
01:15:41Good.
01:15:44I had lemonade and biscuits for breakfast.
01:15:48Can I save one for you?
01:16:13Avis and I were among the lucky ones.
01:16:17Less than 300 bodies were ever found.
01:16:21The rest lost at sea.
01:16:43It's all right.
01:17:13Worldwide reaction to the sinking was unanimous in its condemnation of Germany.
01:17:20Rioters destroyed German-owned shops in British cities.
01:17:26The New York Times devoted an entire edition to the disaster,
01:17:30featuring photographs of the sinking.
01:17:34The New York Times was the only newspaper in the world
01:17:38The New York Times devoted an entire edition to the disaster,
01:17:42featuring photographs of the mass graves.
01:17:51Our own personal tragedies were quickly turned into wartime propaganda.
01:17:59And Germany was struck off the list of civilised nations.
01:18:08Now the British Admiralty had to make sure its own house was in order.
01:18:12Why didn't you go down on your ship?
01:18:14Like hundreds of others did.
01:18:16Awkward questions might just undo the propaganda victory they had so roundly won.
01:18:20Would you like to make a comment, sir?
01:18:24I think that those of us who survived have, well, almost a duty
01:18:28to those that didn't, to find out why they didn't.
01:18:31I think that those of us who survived have, well, almost a duty
01:18:36to those that didn't, to find out why we were left so open to attack.
01:18:40Especially when we were given assurances right at the outset
01:18:42that we would be under the protection of the British Admiralty.
01:18:48The judicial inquiry was held just a month after the sinking.
01:18:54Captain Turner arrived, unaware of the trap that had been set.
01:19:06Better give us some bloody answers.
01:19:09All rise!
01:19:21I declare this investigation into the sinking of the Lusitania open.
01:19:25All sit!
01:19:31Mr Carson?
01:19:34My Lord, this isn't an ordinary case for inquiry,
01:19:37where we must determine the cause of the accident for that is known.
01:19:40In this inquiry, the questions are with regard to the conduct of the captain.
01:19:47Whether or not he navigated his ship in accordance with his strict instructions
01:19:51and thus whether or not he could have done more
01:19:53to save the 1,198 lives that were lost that day.
01:20:03Captain Hobbs, you have, I believe, prepared the Admiralty's evidence.
01:20:08Indeed, sir, and I shall, if I may, remain in court
01:20:11in case I can be of any assistance in clarifying matters.
01:20:18My Lord, without further ado, I call Captain Turner to the stand.
01:20:26Captain Turner, you were given strict instructions to steer a mid-channel course, were you not?
01:20:31Yes, but first I had to find...
01:20:33And yet, when the torpedo hit, you were just a few miles from shore.
01:20:36We'd come in close because I needed a bearing on our position.
01:20:40You disobeyed orders.
01:20:42There'd been a fog earlier. I needed...
01:20:45You willfully disobeyed your strict orders from the Admiralty.
01:20:50In doing so, Captain Turner, you were inviting disaster.
01:20:55Were you not?
01:20:58The Admiralty's broadside was relentless.
01:21:01Our traumatised captain was questioned about instructions he couldn't remember
01:21:06because, in truth, he had never been sent them.
01:21:10You were just a few miles from shore.
01:21:27Hard day for you, sir.
01:21:29But you stuck to your guns.
01:21:32I'm beginning to think it doesn't matter much what I say.
01:21:36Seems like they've already made up their minds.
01:21:41Sir, that officer from the Admiralty who interviewed me...
01:21:45What about him?
01:21:48Well, he told me it would help the inquiry if I told them I'd seen at least two torpedoes, even three.
01:21:55The more, the merrier, he said.
01:21:58But I told them there was only one.
01:22:01And I swear that on the Bible.
01:22:03They don't want anyone thinking it was the munitions exploding
01:22:08that took us down so quickly.
01:22:11So we were carrying munitions, then?
01:22:13Oh, yes, lots of them.
01:22:15Rifle cartridges, shell casings, that kind of thing.
01:22:20I don't like it any better than you.
01:22:23But there are thousands of our lads in the trenches, desperate for that ammo.
01:22:28This is what happens in war.
01:22:30Everybody gets their hands very dirty, very quickly.
01:22:36What with all those women and children on board?
01:22:39That's just what they were afraid people would say, which is why they're trying to cover it up.
01:22:44They're not interested in the truth.
01:22:56Lord Mersey, might I ask what impression the Captain made on you today?
01:23:01My impression is a perfectly straight and honest man.
01:23:04No shred of evidence to suggest that he's in the pay of the Germans.
01:23:09I think the Admiralty has been quite improper to suggest it.
01:23:15Are you minded, then, to judge the man simply incompetent?
01:23:21Captain Holmes, you may be very clear to me what the Admiralty wishes the findings of this independent inquiry to be.
01:23:27However, my duty is to see that the truth prevails.
01:23:31And to me, he seems to have been a very good Captain.
01:23:37But in wartime, my Lord, there are things more important than the truth.
01:23:44In wartime, my Lord, the survival of the nation as a whole becomes paramount.
01:23:48Any hint of discredit to the Admiralty could lose us important friends among the new recruits.
01:23:53Any hint of discredit to the Admiralty could lose us important friends among the neutral countries. Do you understand?
01:24:01Are you suggesting that I declare an innocent man guilty?
01:24:07I'm suggesting, my Lord, that you find a way to conclude this inquiry without damaging our chances of winning the war.
01:24:24Well, what happens, sir, if they find you guilty?
01:24:28God knows. At best, stripped of my ticket and kicked out.
01:24:36At worst, tried for treason and hanged. Or shot.
01:24:43I don't know what they do these days. Whatever's cheapest, I expect.
01:24:54All rise.
01:25:07All set.
01:25:09Sir.
01:25:17The conclusions of this inquiry are as follows.
01:25:20That the Admiralty diligently and fully advised the Captain of the Lusitania of the route best calculated to avert peril.
01:25:29And that Captain Turner was a competent man who did his best in difficult and perilous circumstances.
01:25:43The Commission therefore finds that the loss of the Lusitania was due solely to the damage caused by two, possibly three, torpedoes fired by one or more submarines of German nationality.
01:25:59It was a deliberate attempt to murder the passengers on board.
01:26:04And the entire blame for this cruel destruction of life must rest with them.
01:26:16All rise.
01:26:18All rise.
01:26:27Captain Turner. Captain, sir. Captain Turner, sir.
01:26:32Sir, would you like to say a few words?
01:26:35Captain Turner, sir, can I have a photograph, Captain Turner?
01:26:38It all had the feeling of a charade being played out for the press, with the real questions left unanswered.
01:26:48Was the ship deliberately left exposed in order to bring America into the war?
01:26:54We'll never know.
01:26:56The Admiralty did an excellent job of covering its tracks.
01:27:09Many years later, Churchill wrote...
01:27:13In spite of all its horror, we must regard the sinking of the Lusitania as an event most important and favourable to the Allies.
01:27:22Although two years were to pass before the United States declared war on Germany,
01:27:27the poor babies who perished in the ocean struck a blow at German power more deadly than could have been achieved by the sacrifice of a hundred thousand fighting men.
01:27:42On that day, the idea of a good, clean war, with a code of honour that protected civilians, vanished forever.
01:28:01The gloves came off, and a new age of total warfare began.
01:28:07I used to think a government was there to protect its people, but of course, it's there to protect itself.
01:28:19Professor!
01:28:23Avis!
01:28:37Avis!
01:29:07Avis!
01:29:37Avis!
01:29:38Avis!
01:29:39Avis!
01:29:40Avis!
01:29:41Avis!
01:29:42Avis!
01:29:43Avis!
01:29:44Avis!
01:29:45Avis!
01:29:46Avis!
01:29:47Avis!
01:29:48Avis!
01:29:49Avis!
01:29:50Avis!
01:29:51Avis!
01:29:52Avis!
01:29:53Avis!
01:29:54Avis!
01:29:55Avis!
01:29:56Avis!
01:29:57Avis!
01:29:58Avis!
01:29:59Avis!
01:30:00Avis!
01:30:01Avis!
01:30:02Avis!
01:30:03Avis!
01:30:04Avis!
01:30:05Avis!
01:30:06Avis!
01:30:07Avis!
01:30:08Avis!
01:30:09Avis!
01:30:10Avis!
01:30:11Avis!
01:30:12Avis!
01:30:13Avis!
01:30:14Avis!
01:30:15Avis!
01:30:16Avis!
01:30:17Avis!
01:30:18Avis!
01:30:19Avis!
01:30:20Avis!
01:30:21Avis!
01:30:22Avis!
01:30:23Avis!
01:30:24Avis!
01:30:25Avis!
01:30:26Avis!
01:30:27Avis!
01:30:28Avis!
01:30:29Avis!
01:30:30Avis!
01:30:31Avis!
01:30:32Avis!
01:30:33Avis!
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01:30:35Avis!
01:30:36Avis!
01:30:37Avis!
01:30:38Avis!
01:30:39Avis!
01:30:40Avis!
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01:31:00Avis!
01:31:01Avis!
01:31:02Avis!
01:31:03Avis!