The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1915-05-13
TWO OR THREE SUBMARINES
ATTACKED TIE GREAT OCEAN
LINER.
CAPTAIN TURNER Is SILENT
Grievins For Loss of Ship He Only
Remarks, at is the Fortune of
War;" Broken Down.


No warning Of the attack was
given.
Several torpedocs were hurled
at the ship; some say four and
others seven.
Two. or at most three Of the
missiles struck the Lustania.
One of the tOrpedoes entered
No. l stokehold and another the
engine room
Conflicting reports as to the
side struck suggest that more
than one submarine may have
participated.
There was no panic on TIE yes
sci. the crew going coolly about
the work of preparing to save
passengers.
Captain Turner promptly turn
cd the Lusltania toward shore
The heavy list due to inrushing
water prevented the launching of
many lfeboats.
Some boats were Swamped after
launching. the vessel being un-
able to slow up because of sew
cred pipes.
Many passengers, expecting res.
cue by boats, put on no life.
bolts, and perished.
Others on board, including
members Of the crew, were wound
er or killed by the torpedoes.
The ship. sinking rapidly by
the head. went down with stern
in air ten or fifteen minuts after
she was struck.
Captain Turner, commander of the
Lusitania, one Of the few officers saw.
ed. has refused to make any formal
statement. He remained at his post on
The bridge until the ship went down,
and was rescued two hours later,
life belt.
He was terribly broken down when
ae landed at Queenstown, but his
hrst remark as he went ashore was
one of quiet irony.
WELL" he said, "it is the fortune Of
war"
After strong cup Of tea and a
short rest he seemed to recover from
1is depression.
NioPioy SI0dI STlel over TIT
oss Of his vessel. but expressed no
opinion on the action of the Germans.
After remaining on the Lusitania q
bridge until the structure was sub.
merged, Captain Turner climbed up a
adder, as would diver from a tank.
When he reached the surface he
Srasped an oar and then chair. He
clung to the chair for nearly two
hours, and finally when the chair turn.
ed over he flung up gold-braided
arm. This was seen by a member of
the crew in one Of the boats, and thus
The commander was saved
Many passengers owned their res.
cue to life belts, which kept them
afloat Until they were picked up by
boats
The scene as the big liner sank be
meath the waves is described by the
Survivors as heart-rending beyond
words
Battling for life. the passengers
called to relatives and friends or bade
each other goodbye.
The small boats which had got away
from the side Of the liner picked I'D
a good many survivors, who with
life belts or clinging to wreckage
we're floating on the surface OF the
water. But soon the boats were all
crowded. These boats were in turn
picked up by reScuing steamers, com.
ing at full speed from shore points,
but in many cases four and more hours
elapsed before the rescuors reached
the scene. In many cases the ONLY
work the rescue workers to do was to
collect from the water the floating
bodies Of the dead Several passen
gers were taken aboard trawlcrs SO
much injured that they died before
they could reach shore.
A considerable portion OF those
DrouSht into Queenstown were mem
bers OF the crew. These included Can
'ain Turner, with the first and second
All the other officers arc be
lieved to have pershed. One hundred
and seventeen stewards and steward
'sses Of the ships complement were
saved.
There Is no evidence, however, tina,
the time honOred rule OF the sea
women and children first" was MOI
observed to the last. Earnest Cowper
Toronto newspaper man, has pait
tribute to the discipline Of the crew.
On Watch For The Raiders
Apparently. every precaution hat
been taken by the officers agains
a surprise attack by a submarine
Lookouts were constantly on the aler
as the giant steamship speeded to
ward the Irish Coast.
The lookouts sighted the periscop
Of a submarine thousand yard
away, and the next instant they say
the trail left by a torpedo as it fash
ed on its course. Then came tel
rife crash as the missile pierced tn