Few people know that the Titanic and the Lusitania were not the greatest maritime disasters in history. During a span of a few months in 1945, prior to the end of World War II, several large ships were sunk, resulting in a loss of lives far greater than anything before or since.
- January 30th, 1945 - A passenger ship named Wilhelm Gustloff is hit by three torpedoes from a Soviet submarine in the Baltic Sea, and between 5,000 and 9,400 people are killed.
- April 16th, 1945 - A luxury ocean liner named SS Cap Arcona is sunk by the British Royal Air Force, with around 5,000 people losing their lives.
- May 3rd, 1945 - A ship named Goya, carrying approximately 7,000 people (either Wermacht troops or refugees and wounded soldiers, there seems to be some debate about that), is ambushed by a Soviet submarine. Fewer than 200 people survived.