Passenger liner. She was awarded the Blue Riband for the fastest Atlantic crossing, and for a while was the largest ship afloat. She was torpedoed by a German U-boat, off the west coast of Ireland, sinking in 18 minutes, with the loss of about 1,200 passengers and crew.
The high number of American fatalities was a factor in the USA decision to declare war on Germany. Controversy still exists as to whether the ship was carrying munitions, which would have made her a legitimate target. It has also been suggested that the British government deliberately put the ship in danger, in order to provoke the USA to become involved in WW1.
Many of the recovered bodies were brought to nearby Queenstown (now called Cobh), and buried there. Queenstown had been the last port of call for RMS Titanic, before that ship sailed to her doom three years earlier.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
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