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Line 58: − + + + − The most likely cause was not revealed until Robert Ballard and his crew explored the wreck site in the late 1980s. After several possible causes were ruled out by visual inspection, they hypothesized that the torpedo struck a coal bunker. As the Lusitania was nearing the end of its journey, the bunkers would have been almost depleted. There would still be a significant quantity of coal dust, a highly volatile substance. When the torpedo hit the bunker, it ignited the coal dust and caused an explosion that led to severe structural failure.
→Investigation into Sinking: proper name style
==Investigation into Sinking==
==Investigation into Sinking==
For many years, there was speculation as to the exact reason why the Lusitania sank so quickly. The reports of an explosion led many to suspect that the Lusitania was secretly carrying explosives. Examination of the shipping documents in London archives revealed that the Lusitania was carrying ammunition. However, this did not explain the position of the blast or have the ability to cause an explosion of the magnitude necessary to sink the liner.
For many years, there was speculation as to the exact reason why the ''Lusitania'' sank so quickly. The reports of an explosion led many to suspect that the ''Lusitania'' was secretly carrying explosives. Examination of the shipping documents in London archives revealed that the ''Lusitania'' was carrying ammunition. However, this did not explain the position of the blast or have the ability to cause an explosion of the magnitude necessary to sink the liner.
The most likely cause was not revealed until Robert Ballard and his crew explored the wreck site in the late 1980s. After several possible causes were ruled out by visual inspection, they hypothesized that the torpedo struck a coal bunker. As the ''Lusitania'' was nearing the end of its journey, the bunkers would have been almost depleted. There would still be a significant quantity of coal dust, a highly volatile substance. When the torpedo hit the bunker, it ignited the coal dust and caused an explosion that led to severe structural failure.
==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* Bailey, Thomas. "The Sinking of the Lusitania." ''American Historical Review,'' Vol. 41, No. 1 (Oct., 1935), pp. 54-73 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0002-8762%28193510%2941%3A1%3C54%3ATSOTL%3E2.0.CO%3B2-K in JSTOR]
* Bailey, Thomas. "The Sinking of the Lusitania." ''American Historical Review,'' Vol. 41, No. 1 (Oct., 1935), pp. 54-73 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0002-8762%28193510%2941%3A1%3C54%3ATSOTL%3E2.0.CO%3B2-K in JSTOR]