NEW ZEALAND DISASTERS AND TRAGEDIES
THE SINKING OF RMS LUSITANIA
OFF THE IRISH COAST
07 MAY 1915
At ten past two, on Friday 07 May 1915, eleven miles (18 km) off the Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland, the German submarine U-20 fired a single torpedo at the Lusitania, triggering an explosion which sunk the ship within 18 minutes. Only six of several dozen lifeboats and rafts were successfully lowered, and of 1,960 people on board, only 767 survived. Those killed included 128 US citizens, and this helped turned American opinion against Germany. However, the United States did not declare war with Germany until April 1917.
Seven New Zealander's were on board the Lusitania. The two Gardner boys survived. Those on board were: -
| SURNAME | FORENAMES | AGE | NEE | OTHER |
| CHARLES | Eleanor (Nurse) | 29 | Born Central Otago. On way to UK to enlist for war service | |
| GARDNER | James Andrew | 43 | Returning to NZ from Toronto | |
| GARDNER | Ann (Annie) | 46 | GRAY | Returning to NZ from Toronto |
| GARDNER | Eric Clarence | 16 | Killed Passchendaele 1917 | |
| GARDNER | William Gerald | 11 | Died Nelson 1984 | |
| MACKY | Joseph Cochrane | 60 | Ex Mayor of Devonport | |
| MACKY | Janette Mary Isabell (Mary) | 56 | BIRRELL | Born Melbourne |
| WICKHAM | Ann (Nina) | 50 | BUCK | Visiting sons from England |
For more information on the Lusitania see the excellent site THE LUSITANIA RESOURCE - History, Passenger & Crew Biographies and Lusitania Facts.