Clip opens showing Russian Navy exercises in the Black Sea during World War 1. Two battleships underway billowing smoke. Battleships fire heavy guns. Russian sailors on ship deck disperse, running to battle stations. A First World War Russian naval officer on a ship deck looks through binoculars as a Russian Navy sailor stands beside him. Crew striking the colors as ship sinks. Turkish Cruiser Mecidiye sinks off Odessa in shallow waters after hitting a Russian mine on 3 April, 1915. The Ottoman cruiser Mecidiye, also sometimes spelled Medjidiye, is seen partially submerged off the coast of Vorokoskiy-Mayak, near Odessa.
Passengers arrive at Pier 54 in New York City and go aboard the RMS Lusitania passenger ship, during World War 1. Passenger Robert James Timmis is seen at 1:01 into the clip on the left side of frame wearing a flat topped hat. Timmis survived the sinking even after giving up his own life vest. Charles Plamondon and his wife Mary Plamondon, of Chicago, are seen exiting a taxi. The Lusitania's flag is raised. Passengers, including author Elbert Hubbard, pose at the ship's rail. Views of passengers on the decks as the ship readies for departure. Tugs maneuver the Lusitania ocean liner into the channel, bound for Liverpool. The Lusitania was sunk 6 days later, on May 7, 1915, by a torpedo from a German U-Boat.
The SS Lusitania ocean liner leaves New York harbor on May 1, 1915. Crowds on the pier wave to passengers as they depart. Passengers wave back. "Lusitania" seen painted on the ship's hull. On May 8th, passengers are seen playing games on the deck of the Lusitania. The ship begins to rock and passengers seek safety when the torpedo strikes. Ship's officer directing passengers into life boats. Waves crashing over the wreckage of the Lusitania on the rocky coast of Ireland. Debris, including a lifeboat, strewn on the coast. Some of the survivors to the tragedy pose for the camera. (World War i; World War 1; WWI; WW1)
Armed members of the Belgian Expeditionary Armored Squadron, ACM-corps (Autos Canons Mitrailleuses) are seen assembling with their motorcycles in preparation for their unit's parade in Longchamps, Paris, France, on April 17, 1915, before their departure to Russia, during World War I.
Opening slates indicate how seriously Britain views the German U-Boat campaign against Allied shipping in World War 1. Captain Wilhelm Werner of German U-Boat, UB7, is seen on deck with his officers consulting navigation charts. Their navigator sights the sun with a sextant to determine their latitude. Slate tells of their sinking of the British Steamer, "Patagonia." View of the Patagonia, stopped, in the Atlantic, and then listing and sinking. (This occurred on September 15, 1915, in the Atlantic ocean, off the coast of France.) Change of scene shows a crewmember of the UB-7 next to the conning tower, putting on his boots as a wave washes over his feet. Another slate about the seriousness of the U-Boat operations. (World War i; World War 1; WWI; WW1)
Passengers arrive at Cunard deck and exit from their automobiles at Pier 54 in New York City. They board the British liner RMS Lusitania in New York, United States, for its final voyage. People on board the deck of a ship. Views of the ship. The Lusitania leaves New York harbor, aided by tug boats. The Lusitania was sunk 6 days later, on May 7, 1915, by a torpedo from a German U-boat.