1914-1918

Following the sinking of the Lusitania in May 1915, all members and their clerks of German, Austrian and Turkish birth were suspended from the Baltic Exchange with immediate effect which caused controversy and bad feeling. But the Baltic’s charitable donations were also widely reported in the press - £98,000 was raised during the war years to support the Baltic and Corn Exchange Hospital at Calais. Despite the number of men called up to fight, Baltic traders continued to work throughout the war as the price of ships and freight continued to rise to meet demand. The Baltic Members Roll of Honour can be viewed here.