Lusitania: Wireless in the War Zone The Lusitania's operator sent his distress calls as she listed and lost power - to a shore that could hear her perfectly and reach her too late. This guide tells the eighteen minutes that taught wireless its speed limit. Quick facts Ship RMS Lusitania Struck 7 May 1915 Calls distress, to shore Time down 18 minutes Lost 1,198 of 1,962 The Lusitania's wireless could summon help but not time: no rescue afloat could reach a ship sinking in eighteen minutes. Her calls stand as proof that even perfect communication has a speed limit - the sea's, not the signal's. Keep learning - learn morse code by listening daily: Morse Code Works - free Morse code tools and guides. Reference chart