The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1915-05-19
HOW SHIP WAS sunk
GRAPHIC STORY OF TORPEDO
ING OF LUSITANA
GREAT SHIP MOVED SLOW

GREAT SHIP MOVED SLOW
AS Liner Zigzagged Across Irish Sex
Passengers Sight Submarine-Tor
pedo Track is Seen as Weapo1
| Leaves Boat-Explosions Are Ter
rife.
| How tho Lusitania was sunk, the
story Of the fight to save tho passen
gers, the struggle for life in the
water after the giant liner disappear
ed-the story of what happened i
the great marine tragedy, was re
lated by survivors. While the-:e Is
much conflict in their narrative;
from them have been gathered f5.ct:
which, when assembled, form story
which stands only second 20 that Of
the Titanic disaster.
The Lusitania was steaming llons
on the last leg Of her voyage to Liv
/ erpool, making 16 knots. 1t was
about 2 o'clock il the afternoon The
day was clear and calm. The sun was
shining brightly.
It wSs a beautiful day at sea.
In the morning the speed of tho
vessel had been reduced by Capt
Turner when off Fastnet, probably il
fear of scattered mines. The sh-I
was gliding along smoothly. Most OF
the saloon passengers were at lun
cheon. Sumo had quit the saloon ant
| were on deck. A majority of the sec.
ond class and steerage passengers
also werc on deck.
Passengers lolled in steamer chairs
or played at quoits. Others lined the
ratings, peeiing anxiously out ovel
the water. For there was much ner'
vous tension due to the ever present
peril of submarine attack.
On the bridge sharp lookout was
being kept. Sharply at 2.05 the sig.
nal was given from the bride:
Full speed ahead"
The liner plunged forward under
| the new impetus. The whole of the
ships company seemed to feel the
thrill Of the new movement. Pas
sengers on deck flocked to tie side
Suddenly a cry rose from scattered
points of vantage on the starboaro
side, There's a submarine"
About a thousand yards off the
starboard bow passengers saw break
ing the sun-glinted surface the sleek
hull of dreaded underwater Graf
It rested for but moment on the
surface, then as quickly submerged
This apparition was the only warn
ing given. There was an impetuous
rush to the side of the ship on the
saloon deck. On the saloon deck
faces reflected more of curiosity thar
fear. Among the other classes aboard
excitement fast gained hold and panic
was incipient. Anxious eyes were
turned to the bridge.
The first flush of the excitement
had just passed when there arose {
lmore ominous cry from 1she watchers
! "There's torpedo coming straight
at u.s." .
| From the point where the sub
marine sank, a great while streak
the track of the torpedo, was traced
It was aimed slightly ahead Of the
Lusitania, but as the liner plunged
forward at great speed, the track
seemed to Yeer more and more to-
ward point amidships until it struck
fair between the first and second fun
nels with a dull thud.
There was great tearing of metal
followed by a terrific explosion in the
stoke hold. The ship trem bled from
stem to stern. The decks seemed tc
rise under foot. The liner settled as
if sorely wounded. A great column
of steam and water rose and coal an6
wood splinters were hurled high anc
fell in an avalanche on the upper
deck. .
The liner appeared to falter, theI
steadied as the helm was swung over
and her course was directed for land
But before she could answer to he1
helm sec> nd torpedo pierced he1
! bow. About four minutes intervened
between the two, Some passengers
state that not only second but a
third torpedo struck the ship. 1t is
generally believed, however, that>the
explosion of the second torpedo was
mistaken for the impact of third.
| 1t was while the ship was making
21 Knots with heavy list to star
board that the order was given, i'm
mediately after the second missile
struck, to love-, the boats.
Among the saloon passengers rela,
tive calm prevailed. 1t was the gen
orally accepted idea that the Lusi-
tania would float Cool heads coun,
selled calm anG the more timorous
were Quieted Many of the first cabin
passengers went about their depar-
ture leisurely, some even remaining
at table until luncheon was conclud'
ed go, .D
Below the scene enacted was wide
ly different. Women, many of them
with babies in their arms, became
panic stricken. Officers and passen-
gers did their best to calm them.