The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-05-28
CHARLES T. JEFFREY
TELLS OF DISASTER

Charles T. Jeffrey, president of the
Thomas B. Jeffrey Company, has told
to Kenosha people in special cable
the story of his remarkable escape
from death in the sea after the sink
ing of the steamer Lusitania. The
Evening News this morning received
a cable from Mr.. Jeffrey telling of
his experiences. The story, which is
one of compelling interest, follows:
Mr.. Jeffery is an old-time friend of
I. 5. Doan of Caldwell.
London, May 81 was in the
smoking room of the Lusitania when
the explosion took place. 1t shook
the whole ship just like train might
shake if the locomotive suddenly
stopped and backed into it. | did
not know or think it was due to a
torpedo. | fancied it might be due to
a mine or that the steamship had
struck rock. 1t never occurred to
me that anything so horrible would
be done as to torpedo this defense
less ship with its helpless passengers.
l lett the smoking room and went
o n deck | looked over the side where
the explosion took place 1t was 800
feet away, and the ship began to take
list to starboard, but very SLOWLY
There was no panic whatever either
then or any time. Many passengers
came out and looked over the side as
did. but there were no signs of
alarm or any crushing about. | went
down to another deck to see what was
happening there. But there was no
commotion any more than on the
upper one, to which | returned.
he ship listed more and more. The
lteboats had been swung out on the
previous day, and | saw women and
children beng put into them by the
sailors. There was no rushing for
boats; no struggling for places. Every
thing was being done with perfect
calmness and good order.
l went down to my cabin. There
were not many people in the allev-
ways with lifebelts. Others were 90
ing tor them. | had an air life preser-
yer OF my own, such as aviators use,
and | put it on and returned to the
deck. But it occurred to me that the
rubber might get punctured, so | went
below again and put on my coat and
waistcoat over it.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ebert Hubbard had
stateroom close to mine. but | saw
nothing OF them then or afterwards.
:. The ship had now taken a strong
list; so 1t was difficult to get along
the passages. But there was no
screaming or noise o any sort. The
passengers were Just taking rapid pre-
cautions without any furry.
When ! got o deck again one life
boats ropes got jammed in the davits
At once it fell, bow-downward and
the people in it were al spilled into
the water, | also saw young Cana,
dian woman take a sixty-foot header
INTO the sea don't know what be-
came of her,
| made my way aft, and, seeing no
one on the navigating bridge, Scramb-
led up there and could see everything
happening along one side of the ship
IN the distance | saw young fellow
sitting clamly on deck taking snap
ShotS OF the boats being lowered just
as quietly as IT there was no danger
at all. His nerve excited my admira-
ton, but | don't know whether he
was saved,
The ship now hecled over so much
that passengers were clinging to the
deck rail. 1t was a terrible sight
their helpleSsness with the great ship
steadily going down from under us. |
knew there was no place for me in
the boats, so stayed on the navag-
ting bridge waiting for the final
plunge
At this time | did no t think had
any chance of being saved. because
there were no rescurers in sight any
where. | thought my only chance Law
In that when the vessel went down |
might come up again and find some
thing to cling to.
The ship at this time had not lost
its way. and | could see people in the
water and in the boats as we passed
them.
The steampship was now getting at
an agile of forty-hve degrees when