Friends of the Lusitania

501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization

Friends of the Lusitania is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed in the United States for the purpose of raising the funds necessary to construct the Lusitania Museum at Old Head in Kinsale, Ireland in tribute to the 1,201 victims of the sinking of the RMS Lusitania on May 7, 1915. Friends of the Lusitania also seeks funds ultimately to undertake a maritime archaeological expedition of her cargo holds, the contents of which are at the center of much historical controversy. The Lusitania Museum is the owner of the salvage rights (i.e., the wreckage) of the Lusitania, having been bequeathed these rights by Gregg Bemis upon his death in 2020. None of the officers or directors of Friends of the Lusitania draw salaries or compensation of any kind from donations made. This website serves as the official website of the non-profit organization.

Ownership of the Lusitania

Gregg Bemis originally acquired an ownership interest the wreckage of the Lusitania from John Light in 1968, an American who conducted multiple dives of the Lusitania. Thereafter, Mr. Bemis became the sole owner of the Lusitania in 1982. After Ireland attempted to declare the Lusitania to be a world historical site to prevent exploration, Mr. Bemis was forced to litigate his rights in the United States, Ireland, and Britain. His ownership rights were declared valid by the Supreme Court of Ireland on June 17, 2007 in this decision. These rights of Mr. Bemis were also previously recognized by The High Court of Admiralty on May 14, 1996. Ultimately, the Lusitania Museum in Ireland is the beneficiary of Mr. Bemis’s zeal to quiet and secure title.

Fundraising Goals

The Friends of the Lusitania are committed to realizing the goal of so many that the Lusitania Museum be built on the Old Head of Kinsale and her cargo holds explored. To this end, Friends of the Lusitania seeks to raise $2.9 million U.S. to complete construction of the museum. If funds in this amount can be raised, we believe the Irish National Monuments Department and other governmental organization will fund the rest of the construction. Architectural plans for the museum are already well advanced. Our board of directors is interested in speaking with any interested, large benefactors whose are willing to help make the museum a reality, as well as smaller donors. We would welcome the opportunity to work with trusts or foundations to realize this goal.

All donations will be acknowledged by email receipt to the donor. All donors will be acknowledged by name on a suitably designed plaque in the new Museum unless any donor wishes to remain anonymous. All donors will be acknowledged by name on the Lusitania Museum website unless a donor wishes to remain anonymous.

Archaeological Expedition

In the summer of 2019, the Minister of Culture and Heritage signed a memorandum of understanding (“MoU”) with Gregg Bemis allowing him to explore the wreckage of the Lusitania, which rests at a depth of 350 feet barely inside Irish waters. Minister Josepha Madigan executed the MoU on behalf of the Irish government. The signing ceremony was attended by Gregg Bemis, Minister Madigan, Ted Bemis, Con Hayes, Eoin McGarry, Peter McCamley and Steven Rinehart. Click here for more information on finding and diving the Lusitania.