First-class window, Lusitania
In August of 2021, a team including Sea Rovers Joe Mazraani and Rick Simon, will dive the wreck of the Lusitania. The team of four American and four British divers will spend two weeks exploring and documenting this iconic shipwreck. The expedition will also be a part of a larger effort to raise awareness for the new Lusitania Museum, which was the vision of Lusitania’s longtime owner Gregg Bemis. This presentation will be given by Rick Simon and Jennifer Sellitti, who are both members of the 2021 Lusitania Expedition Team.
Lusitania fell victim to U-20’s torpedo in 1915, prior to America entering WW1. She sank in approximately 20 minutes. 1198 died, including 128 Americans. So many men, women and children died the disaster it caused many Americans to pressure the U.S. government to enter WW1. Although we will discuss the wreck’s history, we will also explore Lusitania’s historical connection Kinsale and to the tradition of Irish wreck diving. Much like the Andrea Doria in the U.S., the Lusitania is a rite of passage for Irish technical divers. Divers in the 1990s pioneered new techniques to be capable of reaching the wreck’s 300 ft depth. Our expedition is working with legendary Irish diver Eoin McGarry, who has dived the wreck of the Lusitania more than any man alive.
This presentation will include footage of the 2021 dives, interviews with McGarry, and a behind the scenes look at the museum and some of the artifacts it will house.
Of course – there is always the possibility of a new discovery we cannot predict!