The Lusitania was hit by a German torpedo on 7 May 1915, and sank off the Old Head of Kinsale with the loss of 1,198 passengers and crew. Rescue boats from Queenstown managed to rescue 761 people.This event ultimately contributed to U.S. involvement in WWI. Closer to home, the Central Council for the Organisation of Recruiting in Ireland tried to utilise the shock of this horrifying event on Irish shores to encourage men to join up. 7,500 copies were printed within weeks of the tragedy.
