The Washington herald., 1907-09-08
BEGINS FIRST VOYAGE
Lusitania Starts Maiden Trip
from Liverpool.
EXPECTED TO BREAK RECORD
All England Intensely Interested in
New Turbiner-Leaves Four Hours
Behind Lucania and Immense
Crowds Watch Departures of Two
Cunarders, Filled with Passengers.

Liverpool. Sept. z.-Public Interest in the
first trip Of the giant new turbiner Luz
stania developed into veritable craze
before the monster Cunarder left her
dock this evening.
The Lucania, of the same line, had de-
parted more than four hours earlier and
the two ships between them carried tie
largest company Of prominent Americans
that ever began a voyage together. The
Cunard managers solemnly affirm that
there viii be 10 race, but nobody be-
lieves them and there is more betting on
the result by all classes Of people than
was ever wagered on the Derby
The departure Of the two steamers was
one OF the most remarkable demonstra-
tions Of keen national interest in the
effort to re-establish EngIand's suprem-
acy on the Atlantic in the matter OF
record holding.
Liverpool has witnessed the advent OF
countless ships, each larger and swifter
than its predecessor. with practical
apathy. but there was no apathy to-day.
II was not an event merely for Liver
poolians. but for the entire nation. Spe-
eial trains, motors. wagonettes, and every
mode of conveyance brought thousands
from the utmost corners of the. kingdom
Immense Crowd Sees Start.
From early morning JntH the Lucania
sailed shortly before o'clock in the after
noon the throng was immense, but when
shortly after O'Clock tonight a blast
from the Lusitanias s whistles announced
that she had finally started the crowd Of
sightseers was simply enormous Hun
dreds OF thousands covered every van
tage point from the Princess landing
stage 10 Seafort
There have been important improve
ments made, so It is claimed. IN the
Lusitania since her trial trip. SIZE con-
siderably disappointed her owners on that
occasion in the matter Of vibration which
proved a serious defect II is said that
this has been substantially reduced by
strengthening and other devices and there
is every expectation that she VIII prove
both comfortable and speedy on hcr pres
ent voyage
The throng OF privileged persons ad-
mitted 10 the landing stage. together with
the crush OF over so passengers and the
mountainous baggage. so impeded the
holding OF arrangements that il was i'm
possible for the great boat 70 start az the
scheduled hour Of o'clock. As the Lusi-
tania draws forty-four feet Of water. it
was deemed advisable therefore to wait
until near high water before starting.
Crowd sings Rule Britta MIA"
When the whistle sounded the start
there were answering screeches from the
sirens and whistles OF every steamer and
tug in the river. This was Immediately
followed by enthusiastic evidence of how
keenIy the English regard to-days event,
as spontaneously the crowd broke out
into singing Rule Brittania-" The re-
frain was taken up all along tI8 river
front and made one grand national chorus.
The Lacania made slow progress down
the river. and did not cross the bar until
after O'Clock. The Lusitania made faster
progress, and succeeded in crossing az
about Il O'Clock. a heavy fog prevailed Ia
the channel.
The two great ships are commanded by
two Of the finest captains in the service
I Capt Watt, of the Lusitania, and Capt.
4 Barr, OF the Lucania. Each viii know
/ how 10 get every ounce out Of his vessel.
/ They are quiet-mannered. reticent men.
with closed lips and steady eyes-men
who viii make the great race notable.
/ Point in Lucania's Favor.
/ One point in favor Of the Lucania IS
/ that her stokehold and engine-rcom crews
know what their ship can do and how to
make her do IL They number 221 men,
and the Lusitania's rival battalion num-
/ bers S96. They viii have to handle about
3 !. coo tons OF coal daily.
( All the accommodations on both vessels
have been taken. For the Lueanis, 310
/ frst-class and $50 second-ciass passengers
/ have been booked, and for the Lusitania,
sS0 frst-class and 40 second-class. The
/ lists include many notable people. Among
/ the passengers on the Lusitania VIII be
! Robert Balfour, N. p; z. c. Barber, H.
/ G. Dolan. Mr.. and Mrs Louis Hay, Mr..
and Mrs Robert Goelet Countess Dun
/ more, Mr.. and Mrs. Cyrus II Mccormick,
Lady Victoria Murray and 5. c. Perkins.
The Lucania takes the team OF the
/ Marylebone Cricket Club which viii play
/ a series Of games in America, and Bishop
! P. J. O'Reilly.
Neither of the Lusitania's two regal
suites. the price Of which for a single
voyage is $4,000. has been let complete.
Each has been divided into four rooms
I - -.G--