The Sinking of the R.M.S. Leinster
 

How the sinking of the RMS Leinster jeopardized peace talks.

US President Woodrow Wilson
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson
  • 6 October 1918: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson received the following message from Germany: "The German Government requests the President of the United States to arrange the immediate conclusion of an armistice on land, by sea and in the air."

  • 10 October 1918: German submarine UB-123 torpedoed the RMS Leinster in the Irish Sea. Official death toll 501.

  • 14 October U.S. President Woodrow Wilson replies to the German Government saying, among other things, that there can be no peace as long as Germany attacks passenger ships.

  • 21 October 1918: Reinhard Scheer, Admiral of the German High Seas Fleet, signalled his submarines: "To all U-boats: Commence return from patrol at once. Because of ongoing negotiations any hostile actions against merchant vessels prohibited. Returning U-boats are allowed to attack warships only in daylight. End of message. Admiral."

  • 11 November 1918: Armistice signed between the warring powers. End of First World War.

  • For a few days in October 1918 the sinking of the RMS Leinster threatened the possibility of peace talks to end the First World War.

    Naval vessels rescuing passengers from the torpedoed R.M.S. Leinster
    Naval vessels rescuing passengers from the torpedoed RMS Leinster.

 

Continue reading Why was the RMS Leinster forgotten?...

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The sinking

Why the R.M.S. Leinster was sunk?

How the sinking jeopardized peace talks

Why was the R.M.S. Leinster forgotten?

The City of Dublin Steam Packet Company

The Canadian Connection

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