Judsonia weekly advance., 1915-05-12

'laSseS aboard extreme fear gainei hold and panic was incipient AnX- ous eyes were turned to the bridge. | The first flush of the excitement had 'ust passed when there arose a more )minous cry from the deck, There $
 torpedo coming straight at us."
 From the point where the submarine 'ank great white streak-the tracl- If the torpedo, was traced. It was aimed slightly ahead of the Lusitania. tut as the liner plunged forward at ide- Suddenly a cry arose from scat .ered points of vantage on the star board side, There's a submarine"
 About a thousand yards off the star board bow passengers saw treatinE he sun glinted surface the sleek hull of a dreaded underwater craft. 1t rested for Ut moment oa the sur face, then IS quickly sIoa.trged.
 The liner plunged forward under the thrill of the new impetus. The whole of the ships company seemed to feel the thrill of the new movement. Passengers on deck Hooked to the great speed, the track seemed to veer more and more toward point amid ships until it struck fair between the first and second tunnels.
 There was a great tearing of metal, followed by a terrific explosion in the stoke hole. The ship trembled from stem to stern. The blanks seemed to rise under foot Then the liner set tied as if sorely wounded. great column of steam and water rose and coal and wood splinters were hurled high and fell in an avalanche on the upper deck.
 The liner appeared to fa1ter, then Steadied as the helm was swung over and her course was directed for land,
 Missile Tears Through Bow.
 But before she could answer to her helm second torpedo pierced her bow. About four minutes intervened between the two. Some passengers state that not only a second, but third torpedo struck the ship. It is generally believed, however, that the explosion of the second torpedo was mistaken for the impact of a third
 It was while the ship was making 21 knots with a heavy list to star board that the order was given, lm- mediately after the second missile struck, to lower the boats
 Among the saloon passengers rela- VT lo1 f111 IL. erally accepted idea that the Lusi- tania would float. Cool heads coun- seled calm and the more timorous were quietd. Many of the first cabin passengers went about their depart ures leisurely, some even remaining al the table until luncheon was con- cludel.
 Below the scene enacted was wide ly different Women, many of thep with babies in their arms, became Panic-stricken. Officers and passen. gers did their best to calm them.
 Fumes arising from the explosion permeated the ship and many fell un. conscious to the deck Meanwhile the crew struggled valiantly to lower the boats. But due to the high speed of the vessel and the heavy list the boats fouled the davits or could not be swung out to clear the side.
 Twenty Boats Launched.
 Finally upwards of 20 boats were put into the water Several were swamped, others were capsized in the swell from the ship. Life belts had been distributed among the passen- gers, but many passengers did not wait to equip themselves with the preservers. Some jumped over the side and were drowned, others leaped with life belts on and swan to over turned boats, there to await the com ing of other swimmers to right the craft
 Slowly the Lusitania filled forward and her bow dipped deeper into the water
 Finally the big liner slowed down and seemed to settle as if she had run her race and was spent.
 The wirless apparatus still smut. teIeu US call TOT help. On the bridge stood Captain Turner, with his execu- tive officer beside him directing the hopeless fight. In the water men and women struggled for their lives. Five boats remained entangled at the davits.
 With final lunge forward the Lusi. tania sank
 Not more than 20 minutes had elapsed since the first torpedo struck her.
 She went down by the head.
 As the big liner took her final plunge most of those remaining on deck leaped. Some struck the sides. Others jumped clear and struck away. It was here that most of the lives were lost
 Explosion Mains Many. Tugs and trawlers remained on the scene to pick up the bodies of tbosa drowned Many rescued were severely maimed from the effects of the explo- sion. which scattered steel fragments broadcast