The Sinking of the Lusitania (1907, United Kingdom)

An illustrated history story from Wonder History — free to read, with narration.

The Sinking of the Lusitania (1907, United Kingdom) — an illustrated history story, featuring Leonard Peskett, James Bain, William Thomas Turner, set in United Kingdom. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder History.

The Sinking of the Lusitania (1907, United Kingdom) — book cover — Wonder History
The Sinking of the Lusitania (1907, United Kingdom) — an illustrated history story, featuring Leonard Peskett, James Bain, William Thomas Turner, set in United Kingdom. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder History.

Page 1

The ocean liner, sliced in two, listed violently to starboard. Screams pierced the air as passengers scrambled for lifeboats, many already capsized.
The ocean liner, sliced in two, listed violently to starboard. Screams pierced the air as passengers scrambled for lifeboats, many already capsized. "This can't be happening!" a woman shrieked, clutching a child. But where did this unimaginable disaster begin?

The ocean liner, sliced in two, listed violently to starboard. Screams pierced the air as passengers scrambled for lifeboats, many already capsized. "This can't be happening!" a woman shrieked, clutching a child. But where did this unimaginable disaster begin?

Page 2

Liverpool, England, 1907: Cunard Line officials, Leonard Peskett and James Bain, reviewed the Lusitania's blueprints. "She must be the fastest, most luxurious…
Liverpool, England, 1907: Cunard Line officials, Leonard Peskett and James Bain, reviewed the Lusitania's blueprints. "She must be the fastest, most luxurious ship afloat," Peskett declared, adjusting his spectacles. Bain nodded grimly. "And we must recoup the cost of her construction quickly. The Germans are making serious headway."

Liverpool, England, 1907: Cunard Line officials, Leonard Peskett and James Bain, reviewed the Lusitania's blueprints. "She must be the fastest, most luxurious ship afloat," Peskett declared, adjusting his spectacles. Bain nodded grimly. "And we must recoup the cost of her construction quickly. The Germans are making serious headway."

Page 3

Six years later, Captain William Thomas Turner paced the bridge of the Lusitania, staring out at the Atlantic. A junior officer approached, nervously.
Six years later, Captain William Thomas Turner paced the bridge of the Lusitania, staring out at the Atlantic. A junior officer approached, nervously. "Captain, we've received new warnings about German U-boats in these waters." Turner scoffed, "We're faster than any U-boat. Maintain course!"

Six years later, Captain William Thomas Turner paced the bridge of the Lusitania, staring out at the Atlantic. A junior officer approached, nervously. "Captain, we've received new warnings about German U-boats in these waters." Turner scoffed, "We're faster than any U-boat. Maintain course!"

Page 4

"It is no exaggeration to say that the Lusitania was a floating palace," Lady Allan remarked to her daughter, Anna, as they strolled along the promenade deck.
"It is no exaggeration to say that the Lusitania was a floating palace," Lady Allan remarked to her daughter, Anna, as they strolled along the promenade deck. Anna tilted her head, "Do you really believe we're safe, Mother? There are rumors of war everywhere." Lady Allan squeezed her daughter's hand, "Nonsense, darling. Enjoy the voyage."

"It is no exaggeration to say that the Lusitania was a floating palace," Lady Allan remarked to her daughter, Anna, as they strolled along the promenade deck. Anna tilted her head, "Do you really believe we're safe, Mother? There are rumors of war everywhere." Lady Allan squeezed her daughter's hand, "Nonsense, darling. Enjoy the voyage."

Page 5

On May 1st, 1915, German Embassy officials placed a warning advertisement in American newspapers: 'Travelers intending to embark on the Atlantic voyage are…
On May 1st, 1915, German Embassy officials placed a warning advertisement in American newspapers: 'Travelers intending to embark on the Atlantic voyage are reminded that a state of war exists between Germany and her allies and Great Britain and her allies.' Ignoring the warning, thousands boarded the Lusitania.

On May 1st, 1915, German Embassy officials placed a warning advertisement in American newspapers: 'Travelers intending to embark on the Atlantic voyage are reminded that a state of war exists between Germany and her allies and Great Britain and her allies.' Ignoring the warning, thousands boarded the Lusitania.

Page 6

Off the coast of Ireland, U-20 Commander Walther Schwieger peered through his periscope. "That's her," he muttered to his first officer, Karl Doenitz.
Off the coast of Ireland, U-20 Commander Walther Schwieger peered through his periscope. "That's her," he muttered to his first officer, Karl Doenitz. "The Lusitania. Prepare torpedoes!" Doenitz hesitated. "Sir, she's carrying passengers, civilians!" Schwieger snapped, "Orders are orders!"

Off the coast of Ireland, U-20 Commander Walther Schwieger peered through his periscope. "That's her," he muttered to his first officer, Karl Doenitz. "The Lusitania. Prepare torpedoes!" Doenitz hesitated. "Sir, she's carrying passengers, civilians!" Schwieger snapped, "Orders are orders!"

Page 7

The torpedo struck. A deafening explosion rocked the Lusitania. Captain Turner shouted, "Hard a starboard! Try to make land!" But it was too late.
The torpedo struck. A deafening explosion rocked the Lusitania. Captain Turner shouted, "Hard a starboard! Try to make land!" But it was too late. A second, more devastating explosion tore through the ship's hull. "Mayday! Mayday! We are sinking!"

The torpedo struck. A deafening explosion rocked the Lusitania. Captain Turner shouted, "Hard a starboard! Try to make land!" But it was too late. A second, more devastating explosion tore through the ship's hull. "Mayday! Mayday! We are sinking!"

Page 8

As the Lusitania slipped beneath the waves, Elbert Hubbard, the writer, held his wife, Alice, close. "'To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be…
As the Lusitania slipped beneath the waves, Elbert Hubbard, the writer, held his wife, Alice, close. "'To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing,'" he said, quoting himself with a sad smile. "We lived, Alice. Let them say what they will." They vanished beneath the churning water.

As the Lusitania slipped beneath the waves, Elbert Hubbard, the writer, held his wife, Alice, close. "'To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing,'" he said, quoting himself with a sad smile. "We lived, Alice. Let them say what they will." They vanished beneath the churning water.

Page 9

News of the Lusitania's sinking sent shockwaves across the world. Over 1,100 lives were lost, including 128 Americans. President Woodrow Wilson addressed the…
News of the Lusitania's sinking sent shockwaves across the world. Over 1,100 lives were lost, including 128 Americans. President Woodrow Wilson addressed the nation. "There is such a thing as a man being too proud to fight," he declared, facing fierce criticism for his initial reluctance to enter the war.

News of the Lusitania's sinking sent shockwaves across the world. Over 1,100 lives were lost, including 128 Americans. President Woodrow Wilson addressed the nation. "There is such a thing as a man being too proud to fight," he declared, facing fierce criticism for his initial reluctance to enter the war.

Page 10

The sinking of the Lusitania galvanized public opinion against Germany. Two years later, the United States entered World War I. The world was forever changed.
The sinking of the Lusitania galvanized public opinion against Germany. Two years later, the United States entered World War I. The world was forever changed. The 'floating palace' became a symbol of the brutal realities of modern warfare.

The sinking of the Lusitania galvanized public opinion against Germany. Two years later, the United States entered World War I. The world was forever changed. The 'floating palace' became a symbol of the brutal realities of modern warfare.

About this story

  • Historical figures: Leonard Peskett, James Bain, William Thomas Turner
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Period: Modern
  • Audience: kids (ages 6–12)

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