R.M.S. Lusitania Museum Fundraiser
Donation protected
We are a group of British and American divers who are proud to support the building of a new Lusitania Museum at the Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland. As divers who explore wrecks around the world, we are keenly aware that shipwrecks more than pieces of metal; they are a way to connect the public to the events and the stories and the people who shaped world history. R.M.S. Lusitania is unique among shipwrecks and is a powerful symbol of the First World War. The new Lusitania Museum will house not only artifacts recovered from the wreck, but hold the memories of those who perished, the stories of those who survived, and the historical context of this maritime tragedy. This fundraiser is being conducted in cooperation with the Old Head Museum and Signal Tower Committee & Lusitania Museum. ALL donations are going directly to the Museum.
R.M.S. Lusitania
On May 7, 1915, during a WWI America had not yet entered, a German torpedo fired by U-20 struck the Lusitania and caused her to sink in twenty minutes. 1,198 people lost their lives as men, women and children struggled to survive a rapidly sinking vessel. The disaster was one that drew worldwide attention to the devastating threat German U-boat's posed to merchant ships and many credit it as one of the sparks that ignited American support for entry into WWI.
Diving the Lusitania
From the moment U-20's torpedo struck R.M.S. Lusitania, the ship and the Old Head of Kinsale have remained inextricably linked. The ship sank just 21 kilometers/13 miles off the Old Head and now rests at a depth of 90 meters/295 feet below the waves. Diving the wreck of the Lusitania has a proud tradition all its own, and those lucky enough to see the wreck up close and personal marvel at her many mysteries.
August 2021 Expedition
In August of 2021, a team of British and American divers, led by British Diver Scott Roberts and D/V Tenacious Captain Joe Mazraani plan to visit Ireland to dive Lusitania. The team is using its expedition to raise public awareness for the new museum and the importance of preserving Lusitania's memory.
The Museum
Few have both the opportunity and technical skill to dive the Lusitania, which is why preserving her memory for everyone to appreciate is so critical. The Lusitania Museum/Old Head Signal Tower group, who are the new owners of R.M.S. Lusitania, are at an advanced stage in the design process of their planned state-of-the-art museum. The previous owner, Mr. Gregg Bemis, gifted the wreck to Lusitania Museum/Old Head Signal Tower Heritage CLG in 2019 in recognition of the achievements of the work of this local community volunteer group and to continue his legacy. As the late Mr. Bemis said when he signed over ownership, "The Museum will be a permanent recognition of our feelings about the importance of the wreck and of the Lusitania’s place in history - and to pay homage to the victims."
We hope that you will contribute even a small amount towards our goal. Please follow us on Facebook page for fundraising events related to the Museum that will go on throughout the year. https://www.facebook.com/DV-Tenacious-2275518302463353
Photo courtesy of Con Hayes, Old Head Signal Tower Committee & Lusitania Museum: This first-class window is just one of the many artifacts the Museum will hold.
Photo courtesy of Con Hayes/Lusitania Museum: Visitor's Centre site. An R.M.S. Lusitania lifeboat davit points directly to the wreck site.
Photo courtesy of Con Hayes/Lusitania Museum: Diagram of the Museum site. The Museum faces out to sea towards the wreck site and overlooks the picturesque landscape of the Old Head of Kinsale.
Photo courtesy of Con Hayes/Lusitania Museum: Memorial plaque dedicated to the 1,198 souls lost aboard R.M.S. Lusitania.
R.M.S. Lusitania
On May 7, 1915, during a WWI America had not yet entered, a German torpedo fired by U-20 struck the Lusitania and caused her to sink in twenty minutes. 1,198 people lost their lives as men, women and children struggled to survive a rapidly sinking vessel. The disaster was one that drew worldwide attention to the devastating threat German U-boat's posed to merchant ships and many credit it as one of the sparks that ignited American support for entry into WWI.
Diving the Lusitania
From the moment U-20's torpedo struck R.M.S. Lusitania, the ship and the Old Head of Kinsale have remained inextricably linked. The ship sank just 21 kilometers/13 miles off the Old Head and now rests at a depth of 90 meters/295 feet below the waves. Diving the wreck of the Lusitania has a proud tradition all its own, and those lucky enough to see the wreck up close and personal marvel at her many mysteries.
August 2021 Expedition
In August of 2021, a team of British and American divers, led by British Diver Scott Roberts and D/V Tenacious Captain Joe Mazraani plan to visit Ireland to dive Lusitania. The team is using its expedition to raise public awareness for the new museum and the importance of preserving Lusitania's memory.
The Museum
Few have both the opportunity and technical skill to dive the Lusitania, which is why preserving her memory for everyone to appreciate is so critical. The Lusitania Museum/Old Head Signal Tower group, who are the new owners of R.M.S. Lusitania, are at an advanced stage in the design process of their planned state-of-the-art museum. The previous owner, Mr. Gregg Bemis, gifted the wreck to Lusitania Museum/Old Head Signal Tower Heritage CLG in 2019 in recognition of the achievements of the work of this local community volunteer group and to continue his legacy. As the late Mr. Bemis said when he signed over ownership, "The Museum will be a permanent recognition of our feelings about the importance of the wreck and of the Lusitania’s place in history - and to pay homage to the victims."
We hope that you will contribute even a small amount towards our goal. Please follow us on Facebook page for fundraising events related to the Museum that will go on throughout the year. https://www.facebook.com/DV-Tenacious-2275518302463353
Photo courtesy of Con Hayes, Old Head Signal Tower Committee & Lusitania Museum: This first-class window is just one of the many artifacts the Museum will hold.
Photo courtesy of Con Hayes/Lusitania Museum: Visitor's Centre site. An R.M.S. Lusitania lifeboat davit points directly to the wreck site.
Photo courtesy of Con Hayes/Lusitania Museum: Diagram of the Museum site. The Museum faces out to sea towards the wreck site and overlooks the picturesque landscape of the Old Head of Kinsale.
Photo courtesy of Con Hayes/Lusitania Museum: Memorial plaque dedicated to the 1,198 souls lost aboard R.M.S. Lusitania.
Organizer
Jennifer Sellitti
Organizer
Millstone Township, NJ