The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-06-18
SUBMARINES
BOTH SIDES
Lay in Wait, says Car
son, for the Lusi-
tania
SEAMEN SAW
TWO 'TORPEDOS
Captain Admits Life Boats
Were Strapped
Together

London, June lS.--The investigation
into the sinking of the Cunard line steam
er Lusitania May by German sub.
marine off the coast of Ireland with a
loss of over ] 100 lives, was resumed in
London yesterday under the direction of
Baron Mersey.
Sir Edward Carson, the attorney gen
leral, expressed his conviction that sec.
port side of the Lusitania. Sir Edward
made this statement in reply to an argu-
ment put forward by Baron Mersey, who
said he thought a mistake had been
made by Seaman O'Neill, one of the wit
nesses before the court, who testified he
had seen the wash of a torpedo passing
the stern of the Lusitana from the port
to the starboard side Immediately after
the liner had been hit on the starboard
side.
O'Neill was formerly in the navy. He
| is positive that he recognized the wash
OF torpedo, although he did not see the
submarine which fired it from the port
side.
This testimony of O'Neill's was corrob-
GRATED by another seaman witness, who
two torpedoes from the starboard side.
These came forward in parallel lines until
they almost reached the ship, when they
parted at slight angle, first one and
then the other striking the Lusitania.
Captain w. T. Turner, who was in
command of the Lusitania at the time
she went down, was recalled to the stand
yesterday and asked why the collapsible
boats had not been freed from their
checks on entering the danger zone. He
replied he feared the boats would slide
about when the ship listed and sweep
passengers into the sea. The captain
admitted further that some OF the boats |
were strapped on the tops OF others.
When asked by Baron Mersey if the
increase in the number of small boats
on liners since the time of the Titanic
disaster was of any advantage, Captain
Turner answered that he did not think
so.
Chief Steward Jones declared he had
not seen any life belts on the upper decks
OF the Lusitania after the liner left New
York. Chief Carpenter Robertson said
the condition of the life boats was good
when the Lustania left New York. In
reply to the statement of the attorney
for a relative of one OF the victims that
4 life boat leaked so badly that all but
two OF the occupants were drowned, the
chief carpenter replied that he was I'M
able to throw any light on this state.
nent, but said il was possible for the
lot sun TO have warped the boats sides.
The evidence showed that staff Cap
ain Anderson countermanded the orders
aptain Turner had given previously TO
ret the women and children into the !
,oats. A number OF witnesses testified /,
hat they got into the boats and had 10
cave them later on orders from Captain I
anderson, who was heard shouting: ''The J
hip is safe"
II was also testified that no lifebelts {
we're available on deck during the voy. II
ge. Bertram jenkins OF New York. i
aloon passenger, said he had remarked q
everal times 10 other passengers on the
bsence Of life belts. 8
That you did not see them well be. !,
Ieve. but that they were not there
annot believe" commented Baron Mcr-
ey.
A woman witness also told the court
he was unable 90 find life belts. Anoth.
r passenger said he helped to launch
fe boat full of women and children. \
at the boat leaked 30 badly that il sank a
, a few minutes after touching water. a
aron Merscy ked whether the boat &
as damaged in being lowered. a. Il was &
n the port side. The witness replied Y
rat II the boat bumped against The hun d
] il was going down he was unaware Of 4
!. q
ID. A. Thomas, known ne the British y
al king who was on the Lusitania. q
as Of the opinion that some members q
the crew did not obey the captains q
-ders 10 attend first 90 the rescue OF b
omen and children. but attempted 10 .
We themselves first. Id