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Is the Lusitania still in the water?

The wreck of the Lusitania lies 11.5 nautical miles off the Old Head of Kinsale in a water depth of 93m. Diving and salvage became part of the history of this wreck since its sinking. In 1995 an Underwater Heritage Order was placed on the wreck by the then Minister for Arts, Culture and Gealtacht Michael D.



Yes, the wreck of the RMS Lusitania is still underwater, resting on its starboard side on the seabed approximately 11 miles south of the Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland. The ship was sunk by a German U-boat in 1915 and lies at a depth of about 91 meters (300 feet). Unlike the Titanic, which is in the deep, freezing, and relatively still waters of the abyss, the Lusitania is in a high-energy coastal environment with strong currents. Consequently, the wreck is in very poor condition. Decades of "depth charging" by the Royal Navy during WWII (who mistook the hull for a submarine), illegal looting, and the weight of massive fishing nets caught in its structure have caused the ship to collapse and flatten. It is largely a debris field today, though the bow remains somewhat recognizable. The site is officially designated as a war grave and is protected by the Irish government; diving on the wreck requires a specific license from the National Monuments Service. Despite its deterioration, it remains a haunting underwater memorial to the 1,198 people who lost their lives during the sinking.

People Also Ask

At around 11 degrees C, (52 degrees F), the sea temperature was pretty similar to the day the Lusitania went down.

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