Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1915-07-14

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pool, all going well.N. Last night al
midnight we entered the war or dan
er zone. I can't tell you that we
have seen the periscope Of a subma'
rine, for we have not, and l think
mast head, also the words, American
every precaution is being taken. To-
night the American, flag illuminated
by electricity, will be run up to the
mast head, also the words, American
Line, printed large on the side OF
the boat will be illuminated, and
las all through the voyage, ports
will remain uncovered, allowing the
boat fully lighted to be seen, IN
marked contrast to the British boats
that slip through the water with all
lights extinguished. .
Passengers to, are taking their
individual precautions. We, have
been instructed how to adjust our
1ife-be1ts, tightening our shoulder
straps, so as to make them fit snug
ly under the arms and strapplng
them securely around the waist.
The stewardesses have cautioned us
not to try to put them on before as
cending to the deck, II the alarm Is
given, but to wait to. put them on
afterward, as stair cases would be
rendered impossible, If every one
wore life belt while ascending. l
think many passengers will sleep on
deck tonight or if below, fully cloth
ed, They tell me some have even
tried sleeping in their life belts. !
should think that might be a sure
cure for snoring.
Some of the men and women, too,
on board, are doing their best to
drown apprehensive thoughts in
drink, and should say, were sue
ceeding admirably. From where I
am sitting on deck this morning, in
the open space between first and
second class, which they call the
after hatch-way,- can look up to- the
bridge deck and see operations. On
each side Of the life boats are, swung
out, and I can count dozen RATS
from my view point, with kegs Of
water and small boxes of provisions
attached to the end. ~ $Ss ss ~ ~
One Of the stewardesses on! board
has been telling us of their crossing
the track Of the Lnsitania,& a$afew
hours aftsr she was : sunk bysEas- Ger=
man torpedo, or more accurately, by
two or more torpedoes. She says
the sights she saw can never be ef-
faced from her mind. One Of the
stewards on our boat lost brother
on the Lusitania, one Of the passen-
gers, her sister, and others, friends.
and several of the passengers are
going over to bring back survivors
1t is the horror of this recent disas-!
ter which makes even the bravest on
board "a little iapprehensiye, as we
pursue our course thro these danger
Gus waters. We believe we are per-
fectly safe, yet at night, little ex-
ira lurch of the boat, an unusual
commotion on the deck above us,
sends our hearts to our throats, and
we find ourselves sitting up in our
berths, awake and trembling.
An officer has just told us that
they are communicating with several
battle cruisers which are standing off
ready to render any assistance nee
essary. From one of the cruisers
has come a wireless message sent by
authority Of the British Admiralty;
changing our course somewhat, be-
cause of lurking submarines, SO we
may be late into Liverpool tomor-
row. .-. IT..
It is now afternoon, and in the
after hatchway, where I sat this
morning are piled deck chairs and
RATS, for quick siezing, and the sail
ors are busy preparing three large
electric light reflectors, two to be
placed over the American flag at the
mast head, and one over the name,
American Line on the side Of our
this account can give our friends no
concern, for when it is received, we
boat. Still we apprehend, no danger,
shall be. safe in London-only I might
add, my husband contemplates TAX
ing out Zeppelin insurance, as soc
as we reach that city. =