Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-17
Indignant Over the Complete
Exoneration of Ships Cap
tain and Crew.
ASSERTS GERMANS SOUGHT
DEATH OF ALL ON BOARD
British Inquiry Court Relieves Gu.
nard Company From All Blame
for Disaster.

LONDON, July II, 1854 am.
-"TorPedoes fired by a subma-
rine of German nationality
caused the loss OF the steamship
Lusitania and its passengers, ac-
cording to the findings of the
court of inquiry appointed to in
vestigate the disaster.
The court held that no blame
Tor the tragedy attached either to
Capt. Turner, commander OF the
vessel, or the Cunard line, the
owners.
Charges Deliberate Intent.
After having carefully inquired into
the circumstances of the disaster" says
the formal report of the court. "the
court finds the loss of said ship and
lives was due to damage caused the
ship by torpedoes fired by a subma-
rine of German nationality.
LII tHS OpIIllOH Vi Tie COuTG luC dCS
was done not merely with the inten-
tion of sinking the ship. but also with
the intention of destroying the lives
of the people on board"
Other features of the report are that
the lifeboat and, lifebelt facilities were
adequate; that the demeanor of the
crew was above all blame, and that
the conduct of the passengers, barring
a slight panic when the steerage pas
sengers came on deck, was praise
worthy.
The court also found that the ship
was unarmed and carried a general car
go. while ammunition consisting only of
5000 cases of cartridges. from which
there was no explosion.
Americans Are Disappointed.
A small gathering composed almost
entirely of survivors of the Lusitania
and their relatives listened to the
reading of the findings by Baron Mer-
sey of Toxteth.
The report was a distinct disappoint-
ment to the American survivors, who
expressed indignant surprise at the
and the Cunard line from all blame
and commended the discipline Of the
crew.
Several attorneys representing Ameri-
can clients listened closely to the read
ing of the Judgment, which may have
against the steamship company.
Among the spectators were Walter
Webb Ware, representing the Wander
bilt family; Maj. F. Warren Pearl and
Mrs. Pearl of New York and F. B.
Jenkins of Chicago. survivors. and
william Crichton of New York. whose
wife was lost.
Before the reading began Maj. Pearl,
who has followed the whole case closes
ly, expressed the opinion that the deci-
fcers of the ship and the Cunard line
for negligence. mo doubt there were
mishaps in handling the ropes Of the
boats" Lord Mersey said, but in my
opinion there was no Incompetence or
neglect"
Advised by the Admiralty.
Baron Mersey found that Capt. Tur-
ner was fully advised by the British
admiralty as to the best course to fol-
low, and added that in some respects
he did not follow these out.
The court pointed out, however, that
the admiralty instructions were not
intended to prevent Capt. Turner from
exercising his individual Judgment
and that his failure to follow the ad-
miralty's advice to the letter was no
reason for blame.
The reduction of the Lusitania's
to twenty-one knots still left the yes
sci faster than any other boat on the
Atlantic, said Baron Mersey, and he
found there was no reason to blame
the Cunard company for this econ
omy during wartime.
Relative to the admiralty instruc-
lions. the court said this phase of the
inquiry was in camera and that it
would be contrary to public interest
to discuss it.
Praises Officers and Men.
Lord Mersey. in handing down the
judgment, said, in part:
THE captain of the ship, Mr.. Thomas
Turner, gave his evidence truthfully
and well. 1 am quite satisfied that the
two captains and the officers are COM
petent men and that they did their
duty. Capt. Turner remained on the
bridge till he was swept into the sea
and Capt. Anderson was working on
deck until he went overheard and was
drowned"
The court here praised Leslie N. Nor
ton. member of the crew. who shipped
at New York and who was acting as
extra lookout man at the time the Lusi
tania was torpedoed. saying:
He was only eighteen years of age,
but he seems to have exhibited great
courage, self-possession and resource.
He was the first to observe the ap-
proach of the torpedoes and before
they had touched the ship he had re-
ported them to the bridge by means of
a telephone"
Though knocked off his feet when a
torpedo hit the Lusitania and later
having to swim for his life, Lord Mer-
sey said, the youth, aided by member
of the crew named Perry, righted a
collapsible boat and was instrumental
in saving nearly a hundred lives.
Passenger List Analysed.
The court here analysed the passen-
ger list, giving the saved and lost by
sex and nationality and commenting