SS Athenia torpedoed by German submarine

The SS Athenia was a British cruise ship that was torpedoed by the German submarine U-30 while traveling from Glasgow to Montreal. This incident occurred shortly after the British declaration of war, highlighting the immediate escalation of hostilities in the Atlantic. The attack took place approximately 250 miles northwest of Ireland, resulting in the tragic loss of 112 lives, including both passengers and crew members. The sinking of the Athenia is often cited as a pivotal event that marked the beginning of the Battle of the Atlantic, a prolonged military campaign that lasted throughout the war. This battle was characterized by the struggle for control of the Atlantic sea routes, which were vital for the supply of troops and materials between North America and Europe. The loss of the Athenia underscored the vulnerability of civilian maritime traffic in wartime and set a precedent for the targeting of merchant vessels by submarines, which would become a significant aspect of naval warfare during the conflict.