The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1915-05-13
Number Al

their fate, doubtless even then
believing that with land so close
they would still be saved.
However the torpedoes had
torn such gaping holes in thc
liner that she did not remain 4
float for more than 20 minutes,
and the call for help which the
wireless sent out, although an
swered quickly, could not bring
the resculng steamers III time to
be of any service.
There is much difference of
opinion as TO how many torpedoes
struck the ship and as to whether
AN explosion of her boilers fol-
lowed. In fact, after the first
torpedo hit the Lusitania forward
the crew were busy getting TO
the stations, and the passengers
who escaped, in getting TO the
boats and providing themselves
with life belts. In shipping cir
cles and among many survivors
the impression prevails that more
than one German submarine at
tackled the Lusitania and that
two or more torpedoes found
their mark.
How the Lusitania was sunk,
the story of the fight to save the
passengers, the struggle for life
in the water after the giant lin
er disappeared-the story of what
happened in the great marine
tragedy, was related by the sur
vivors. While there is much
conflict in their narratives from
them have been gathered facts
which, when assembled from a
story which stands only second to
that of the Titanic disaster.
The LuSitania was steaming a.
long ON the hast leg of her voy-
age to Liverpool. 1t was about 2
o clock in the afternoon. The
day was clear and calm. The
sun was shining brightly. II was
a beautiful day at sea-.
In the morning the speed Of the
vessel had been reduced by Capt.
Turner when off Fastner, proba-
bly, in fear of scattered mines.
Most of the saloon passengers
We're at lunch. Some had quit
the saloon and were ON deck. A
majority of the second class and
stearage passengers also were on
deck.
Passengers lolled in steamer
chairs or played at quoits. Other
lined the raillings, peering an
xiously over the water. For there
was much nervous tension due
to the ever-present peril of sub
marine attack.
On the bride a sharp lookout
was being kept.
Sharp at 2:05 the signal was
given from the bridge;
Full speed ahead" "
The liner plunged forward un-
der the new impetus. The whole
of the ships company seemed to
feel the thrill of the new move
ment. Passengers on the deck
flocked to the side.
Suddenly a cry arose from the
scattered points of vantage on the
starboard side, "There's s a sub
marine. "
About thousand yards off the
starboard bow passengers saw
breaking the subglinted surface
the sleek hull of dreaded under
water craft. IL rested for a
moment ON the surface, then as
quickly submerged.
The apparition was the only
warning given. There was an Inn
petuOus rush to the side of the
ship. On the saloon deck faces re-
Elected more of curiosity than
fear Among the other classes
aboard excitement fast gained
hold and panic was incipient. An
xious eyes were turned to the
bridge.
The first flush of the excite
ment had just passed when there
arose a more ominous cry from
the Watchers
There s torpedo coming
straight at lis. "
From the point where the sub
marine sank a great white streak
the track of the torpedo, was
traced IL was aimed slightly a.
head of the Lusitania, but as the
liner plunged forward at a great
speed, the track seemed to veer
more and more toward a point
amidship until il struck fair be-
tween the first and second fun
nels with a dull thud.
a