The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-05-12
How Mighty Liner
Went to Bottom
age or upturned boats blown off the
ship by the explosion"


dred persons lost their lives, ac-
cording to the British admiralty
when the Lusitania was torpedoed
and sunk yesterday off Old. Head
Kinsale, Ireland. Known survivors
number only 658, while there were
2,160 persons aboard great British
liner when she was attacked. Of
those saved sos landed at Queens
town, II at Kinsale, while 81 others
are reported to be aboard a steam
er. All but one of the rescue fleet
torpedo boats, tugs, trawlers, which
went out of Queenstown, have re-
ported. There is slender hope
that fishing boats may have rescued
a few more.
In addition to living brought
ashore, bodies Of as, who died of in
juries or were drowned, had been
landed at Queenstown early today.
Five more were landed at Kinsale.
1t had been reported that an armed
trawler, accompanied by two fishing
boats, had picked up 100 others.
Work of compiling the list with
those saved progressed slowly today
because of the indescribable confu-
sion at Queenstown, but apparently
few of the first cabin passengers
were among the survivors.
The United States consul at
Queenstown, early today could ac-
count for only 81 Americans saved,
out Of 1873, who were aboard. His
roll did not include the names Of
Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, Charles
Frohman, Ebert Hubbard, Justus
Miles Forman, author, or Charles
Klein, playwright.
Of the Americans aboard 106
were in first cabin, 65 in second; II
in steerage.
Heavy loss of life among the first
cabin passengers is believed to have
been due to their calmness and self
possession in the face of danger.
Most of them were at luncheon when
the vessel received its death blow
and declined to join the rush for the
life boats, and life belts. It was
believed the Lusitania would remain
afloat until assistance could arrive.
"Women and Children First"
A considerable portion of those at
Queenstown are members Of the
crew, including Captain Turner with
the first and second officers. All
other officers of the Lusitania are be-
lieved to have perished. There is no
evidence, however, that the time hon.
ored rule of the sea of women and
children first" was violated. Captain
Turner stood at his post on the
bridge until the ship went down, and
was rescued three hours later
wearing a life belt, according to D.
A. Thomas, of Cardiff, Wales, coal
magnate.. Another of the survivors,
Toronto newspaper man said there
was no panic among the crew, that
the sailors acted promptly in getting
the passengers into boats.
Apparently every precaution was
taken by the ship against a surprise
attack. Lookouts were on the alert
constantly as the Lusitania speeded
toward the Irish coast.
Every Precaution Taken.
Great difficulty was experienced in
launching the boats because of the
heavy list of the liner almost imme-
diately after she was torpedoed. Sew
eral frail craft capsized as they were
launched or almost Immediately af-
terward. Many passengers owed
their escape to life belts, which kept
them afoat, until they were picked
up.
No Warning Given.
Investigation has failed to reveal
that ship given any warning. Look
outs sighted the submarines peri
scope 1000 yards away, and the next
instant they say the trail Of torpe-
do was flashed on it's course. Then
came a terrific crash, followed al
most Immediately by another which
Uttered the decks with wreckage.
The liners course was Immediate