Unbelievably Amusing

[unmerged(4989)]

Where the ship was registered or what it was carrying are irrevelant. The only thing that matters is that it was flying neutral colors (if I remember correctly).

Perhaps, but the german u-boat captains had the registry book which would have shown that it was british. But, again, if it was flying an american flag (which I beleive the british captains did), you're right.

How off-topic is this, eh?

 

[Arentak]

It was a british ship carrying lots and lots of ammunition made in american factories to benefit the british war effort against germany. That some american civilians decided to get on it is somewhat important. The German Ambassador to the USA did warn americans not to get on that ship.

British ships were enforcing a blockade against Germany, and Germany U-Boats were attempting to enforce a blockade against the UK and France. British transport ships would frequently put up the "colors" of a neutral ship, like the USA or Norway, in order to "deter" attack by the Germans. Nevertheless, the Lusitania was a british ship carrying american war material to Europe. In the eyes of all rational historians, it was a legitimate military target.

 

[OriginalRafiki]

Norwegian ships were sunk in fairly large numbers during WW1; don't remember any numbers, tho'.

Rafiki