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Quizzes > History > Wars & Historic Events

Attack at Sea: Take the RMS Lusitania Quiz!

Ready to dive into WWI naval history? Challenge your Lusitania trivia skills now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for RMS Lusitania quiz with WWI naval history theme on a coral background

Set sail on a history adventure as you test your expertise in our Lusitania quiz! Perfect for naval buffs and WWI enthusiasts, this free Attack at Sea history quiz lets you dive into RMS Lusitania trivia and uncover key Lusitania sinking facts. Challenge your grasp of major events, explore strategic maneuvers and sharpen your knowledge of early sea warfare. Ready to level up? Check out some additional titanic trivia to warm up, then review ship terms with this guide to what does RMS stand for. When you're primed with facts, hit "Start Quiz" to prove you're the ultimate WWI naval history quiz champion!

What type of vessel was the RMS Lusitania?
An Italian cargo freighter
A German battleship
A British ocean liner
A French passenger ferry
The RMS Lusitania was built and operated by the Cunard Line as a British ocean liner for transatlantic passenger service. It was one of the largest and fastest ships of its time. Its design emphasized speed and luxury for civilian passengers. source
In what year was the RMS Lusitania launched?
1905
1908
1907
1906
The RMS Lusitania was launched on 7 June 1906 by the Cunard Line. It was part of a new class of luxury ocean liners competing for the transatlantic passenger trade. The ship made its maiden voyage in September 1907. source
Which company operated the RMS Lusitania?
Cunard Line
Hamburg America Line
White Star Line
Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation
The Cunard Line, formally known as the Cunard Steamship Company, operated the RMS Lusitania and her sister ship Mauretania. Cunard was in fierce competition with other transatlantic lines to offer the fastest and most luxurious service. Lusitania's sinking was one of the most infamous maritime tragedies under Cunard's flag. source
What was the primary route of the RMS Lusitania during peacetime service?
Glasgow to Montreal
London to Southampton
Southampton to Boston
Liverpool to New York
The RMS Lusitania regularly sailed the transatlantic route between Liverpool in England and New York City in the United States. This route was one of the most lucrative and prestigious for passenger liners in the early 20th century. The ship also occasionally called at Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland, en route. source
On which date was the RMS Lusitania sunk?
June 1, 1914
May 1, 1916
May 7, 1915
April 15, 1915
The RMS Lusitania was torpedoed and sank off the southern coast of Ireland on 7 May 1915 during World War I. The attack by German U-boat U-20 marked a pivotal event in the history of submarine warfare. The sinking killed nearly 1,200 people and influenced international opinion. source
Which nation's U-boat was responsible for the sinking of the Lusitania?
Germany
Austria-Hungary
Ottoman Empire
Italy
The German Navy employed its U-boat fleet to enforce unrestricted submarine warfare. On 7 May 1915, U-boat U-20, under German command, torpedoed the Lusitania. This action was part of Germany's strategy to blockade Britain during World War I. source
Approximately how many people died when the Lusitania sank?
About 1,200
About 2,500
About 3,000
About 500
The sinking of the Lusitania resulted in the death of 1,198 passengers and crew, roughly reported as 1,200. The rapid sinking, combined with limited lifeboat deployment, contributed to the high loss of life. Only 761 people survived the attack. source
How long did it take for the Lusitania to sink after being struck by a torpedo?
5 minutes
45 minutes
2 hours
18 minutes
After being hit by a torpedo at 2:10 PM, the Lusitania sank at 2:28 PM, taking only 18 minutes. This rapid descent overwhelmed evacuation efforts and led to significant casualties. The catastrophic structural damage and secondary explosion accelerated the sinking. source
What was the designation of the submarine that sank the Lusitania?
U-35
U-47
U-9
U-20
The German submarine U-20, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Walther Schwieger, torpedoed the Lusitania on 7 May 1915. U-20 was one of the most successful U-boats in World War I before being interned in Norway later that year. source
Who commanded U-20 at the time of the Lusitania sinking?
Karl Dönitz
Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière
Walther Schwieger
Otto Weddigen
Kapitänleutnant Walther Schwieger was the commanding officer of U-20 when it sank the Lusitania. Schwieger had already gained notoriety for attacking Allied shipping. He was later killed in action in 1917 when his U-boat was destroyed by a mine. source
Which U.S. President demanded an explanation from Germany after the Lusitania was sunk?
Woodrow Wilson
William Howard Taft
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
President Woodrow Wilson sent a strongly worded protest to Germany in May 1915, demanding an explanation and reparations for the attack. His diplomatic pressure was an early step toward shifting U.S. public opinion against Germany. The incident eventually contributed to America's entry into World War I in 1917. source
How many American citizens were killed when the Lusitania sank?
300
500
128
64
Of the nearly 1,200 people who died when the Lusitania sank, 128 were American citizens. This loss of American life intensified domestic outrage and challenged U.S. neutrality in World War I. Newspapers and politicians used the figure to rally support against German aggression. source
What controversial cargo was the Lusitania secretly carrying that may have contributed to its rapid sinking?
Gold bullion
Munitions and war contraband
Food supplies only
Diplomatic mail
Lusitania's cargo manifest omitted a declaration of war materiel, but the ship was carrying rifle cartridges and artillery shells bound for Britain. The secondary explosion that followed the torpedo strike is believed to have been caused by these munitions, accelerating the sinking. This fact fueled debates about the ship's noncombatant status. source
How many torpedoes did U-20 fire at the Lusitania?
Two
Four
One
Three
U-20 fired a single torpedo at the starboard bow of the Lusitania at 2:10 PM on 7 May 1915. The initial explosion was followed by a much larger internal blast, likely from munitions, causing the ship to sink rapidly. The submarine did not fire again before Lusitania went down. source
Which distress signal was sent by the Lusitania after it was hit?
CQD
SOS
Mayday
PAN PAN
After the torpedo strike, Lusitania's wireless operators sent the distress signal "SOS" to nearby ships. Although CQD was still in use, SOS had become the standard international distress call by 1915. This call alerted several vessels to attempt rescue operations. source
What German naval policy allowed U-boats to sink ships like the Lusitania without warning?
Prize capture rules
Unrestricted submarine warfare
Naval blockading
Convoy system
Germany adopted unrestricted submarine warfare in early 1915, permitting U-boats to attack enemy and neutral shipping without warning. This policy aimed to cut off supplies to Britain but risked drawing neutral nations into the war. The Lusitania sinking is one of the most notorious examples of this doctrine. source
How many lifeboats were successfully launched from the Lusitania?
Ten
None
Twenty
Six
Despite having 48 lifeboats, only six were successfully launched before the ship sank. The rapid list and internal explosion hampered evacuation, and many davits were destroyed or obstructed. This shortage of effective lifeboat deployment contributed to the high casualty rate. source
Who chaired the British Board of Trade inquiry into the sinking of the Lusitania?
Admiral Jellicoe
David Lloyd George
Lord Mersey
Winston Churchill
The Board of Trade appointed Lord Mersey, a distinguished judge, to investigate the sinking of the Lusitania. His report, known as the Mersey Report, concluded that the ship was lost due to the torpedo attack and denied allegations of wrongdoing by the British government. The findings were controversial and remain debated by historians. source
What was the official title of the British inquiry report on the Lusitania disaster?
The Lusitania Inquiry Act
The Mersey Report
The Board of Admiralty Findings
The London Commission
The British Board of Trade's investigation was formally published as the Mersey Report after its chairman, Lord Mersey. It examined the circumstances of the sinking and exonerated the ship's captain from blame. The report played a major role in shaping public debate about the tragedy. source
Which measure was widely adopted by the Allies after the Lusitania sinking to protect merchant shipping?
Naval bombardment
Convoy system
Blockade running
Unrestricted submarine warfare
Following heavy losses of merchant ships, including Lusitania, the Allies implemented the convoy system in 1917. Groups of merchant vessels sailed together under naval escort to deter submarine attacks. This tactic greatly reduced shipping losses and was a key factor in sustaining Allied logistics. source
Which statement about the Lusitania's cargo manifest is accurate?
It declared small arms only
It omitted mention of war munitions
It fully disclosed all contraband
It listed diplomatic pouches
The Lusitania's cargo manifest did not declare its shipment of rifle cartridges and small shell components, which are considered war contraband. The omission became a focal point for debates over whether the ship was a legitimate military target. Documents and telegrams released later confirmed the presence of munitions. source
How did the sinking of the Lusitania affect American public opinion?
It had no significant effect
It strengthened isolationism
It bolstered support for Germany
It turned many against Germany
The death of American citizens aboard the Lusitania galvanized U.S. public opinion against Germany. Newspaper coverage and political speeches used the event to criticize German naval tactics. While the United States remained neutral until 1917, the sinking marked a turning point in public sentiment. source
In what year did the United States declare war on Germany, partly influenced by events like the Lusitania sinking?
1918
1916
1915
1917
The United States entered World War I on 6 April 1917, after German resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram. The Lusitania sinking in 1915 had already shifted American public opinion but did not immediately bring the U.S. into the conflict. source
At approximately what depth does the wreck of the Lusitania rest?
50 meters
200 meters
120 meters
93 meters
The Lusitania wreck lies about 93 meters (305 feet) below the surface of the sea off the Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland. Its depth and protected status have made direct exploration difficult. Modern submersibles have photographed the wreck while adhering to legal preservation protocols. source
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand RMS Lusitania specifications and voyage details -

    Readers will grasp the ship's design, passenger profile, and planned route before diving into the Lusitania quiz.

  2. Analyze events leading up to the Attack at Sea -

    Readers will piece together the timeline of political decisions, naval movements, and warnings preceding the 1915 sinking.

  3. Recall key Lusitania sinking facts and figures -

    Readers will memorize casualty numbers, torpedo impact data, and rescue efforts during the maritime tragedy.

  4. Evaluate the significance of the attack in WWI naval history -

    Readers will assess how the sinking influenced maritime warfare policies and public opinion in World War I.

  5. Identify strategic motives behind submarine warfare -

    Readers will explore Germany's U-boat tactics and their role in shaping Attack at Sea history.

  6. Apply knowledge through challenging quiz questions -

    Readers will test their mastery of Lusitania trivia with questions that reinforce critical historical insights.

Cheat Sheet

  1. RMS Lusitania's design and specifications -

    The RMS Lusitania measured 790 ft in length, displaced 31,550 tons, and could sustain speeds up to 26 knots, making her a marvel of early 20th-century maritime engineering. A simple mnemonic "LODGE" (Length, Onboard capacity, Displacement, Gear power, Elegance) helps you recall her major stats. According to the Cunard Line archives (University of Liverpool), her combination of speed and luxury set new standards in transatlantic travel.

  2. German U-boat strategy and unrestricted warfare -

    In early 1915, Germany's declaration of unrestricted submarine warfare authorized U-boats like U-20 to sink merchant ships without warning; this policy shift directly endangered liners such as the Lusitania. Remember the acronym "SUB" (Surprise attacks, Unannounced, Blockade enforcement) to capture the essence of this doctrine. Primary sources from the Imperial War Museums outline how this strategy reshaped WWI naval history and forms a key topic in any WWI naval history quiz.

  3. Timeline of the sinking on May 7, 1915 -

    At 14:10 GMT, U-20 fired a torpedo into Lusitania's starboard side, and the ship sank in just 18 minutes after a secondary explosion; these Lusitania sinking facts highlight how rapidly disaster struck. A quick way to remember the sequence is "T-E-D" (Torpedo, Explosion, Descent) for your Lusitania quiz prep. The U.S. National Archives provides deck logs and survivor testimonies that cement this dramatic timeline.

  4. Diplomatic fallout and U.S. entry into WWI -

    The loss of 1,198 lives, including 128 Americans, provoked President Wilson's demand for "strict accountability," turning public opinion in the U.S. against Germany. Recall "APPEAL" (Americans killed, Public outrage, Presidential response, Entry delayed) to track how the sinking shifted U.S. policy. Documents from the Library of Congress show this event as a pivotal turning point in America's road to war.

  5. Controversies, cargo debates, and modern research -

    For decades scholars argued over whether Lusitania carried munitions; recent dives by NOAA confirm explosives in her hold, underscoring the nuance behind many Attack at Sea history quiz questions. Use the rhyme "GUNS & SUNS" (Gunpowder evidence, Underwater survey, Now settled, Shipwreck study) to remember this key debate. Peer-reviewed articles in the Journal of Maritime Archaeology detail how ongoing forensic analysis continues to refine our understanding of this tragedy.

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