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Explosion of a hatch on the Athenia, September 1939
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Explosion of a hatch on the Athenia, September 1939
Illustration of the explosion as a torpedo from a German submarine hit the port side No. 5 hatch of the Athenia, a British transatlantic passenger liner. The Sphere describes how five people were killed in the blast.
September 1939
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Media ID 23266962
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Civilian Civilians Glasgow Jul19 Liners Macpherson Passengers Steamer Steamship Submarine Torpedo Transatlantic U Boat Vessels Liner
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EDITORS COMMENTS
"September 1939: The Explosive Beginning of World War II on the High Seas This haunting illustration depicts the explosive aftermath of a torpedo strike on the British transatlantic passenger liner, Athenia. The image, published by The Sphere in October 1939, captures the intense chaos and destruction that ensued when a German submarine targeted the No. 5 hatch on the port side of the vessel. The Athenia, a steamship of the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company, was sailing from Glasgow, Scotland, to Montreal, Canada, with a diverse passenger list that included British, American, and Canadian civilians. On September 3, 1939, as tensions between Britain and Germany escalated, the ship was caught in the crossfire of the unfolding conflict. The torpedo hit the Athenia's port side, causing a massive explosion that claimed the lives of five innocent passengers. The image above illustrates the devastating impact of the blast, with debris and water flying everywhere, and the ship's crew and passengers scrambling to safety. The sinking of the Athenia marked the first civilian casualties of World War II and served as a stark reminder of the realities of war on the high seas. The incident fueled anti-German sentiment in Britain and the United States, and ultimately led to the declaration of war by both countries against Germany on September 3 and 11, 1939, respectively. This poignant illustration serves as a testament to the human cost of the conflict and the unpredictability of war, even for civilian vessels sailing the peaceful waters of the Atlantic Ocean." Illustration: Explosion of a hatch on the Athenia, a British transatlantic passenger liner, after being hit by a torpedo from a German submarine, September 1939. (Illustration by Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans from Mary Evans Prints Online)
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