The sinking of the Cunard ocean liner RMS Lusitania occurred on 7 May 1915 during the First World War, by a German U-boat, hitting the Lusitania twice with torpedoes, sinking within 18 minutes, killing 1198 passengers. Germany released a false statement that the Lusitania carried guns, with two quick-fires behind armoured-shields are shown on the upper deck forward, on either side of the forecastle near bows.