The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-05-19
How SHIP Was sunk
GRAPHIC STORY OF TORPEDO
ING OF LUSITANIA

ING OF LUSITAMA
GREAT ship MOVED SLOW
As Liner Zigzagged Across Irish Sea
Passengers Sight Submarine-Tor-
pedo Track is Seen as Weapon
Leaves Boat-Explosions Are Ter
rife.
How the Lusitania was sunk, the
story of the fight to save the passen-
gers, the struggle for life in the
water after the giant liner disappear
ed-the story of what happened IL
the great marine tragedy, was re-
lated by survivors. While there IS
much conflict in their narratives
from them have been gathered facts
which, when assembled, form a story
which stands only second 20 that OF
the Titanic disaster.
The Lusitania was stecming ,long
on the last leg Of her voyage to Liv-
e-pool, making Is knots. It was
about 2 O'Clock il the afternoon The
day was clear and calm. The sun was
shining brightly.
It was beautiful day at SEE.
In the morning tho speed Of the
vessel had been reduced by Capt.
Turner when of Fastnet, probably IN
fear Of scattered mines. The ship
was gliding along smoothly. MoSt Of
the saloon passengers were az lIn-
cheon. Some he'd quit the saloon and
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, peeTing anxiously out over
the water. For there was much ner-
yous tension due to the ever present
peril of submarine attack.
On the bridge sharp lookout was
being kept Sharply at EOS 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 the side.
= Suddenly cry rose from scattered
points Of vantage on the starboard
side, There's a submarine -.
About q thousand yards OF the
starboard bow passengers saw break
ing the sun-glinte6 surface the sleek
hull of a dreaded underwater Graf !.
It rested for but a moment on the
surface, then as quickly submerged,
This apparition was the only waru-
ing given. There was an impetuous
rush to the side of the ship on the
saloen deck. On the saloon deck,
faces reflected more of curiosity. than
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 q
more ominous cry from the watchers:
There's torpedo coming straight
at u.s.
From the point where the sub
marine sank, great while streak,
the track Of the torpedo, was traced,
1T was aimed slightly ahead Of the
Lusitania, but as the liner plunged
forward at great speed, the track
seemed to veer 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 trembled from
stem to stern. The decks seemed to
rise under foot. The liner settled as
II sorely wounded. A great column
Of steam and ": rose and coal and
wood splinters were hurled high and
fell in an avalanche on the upper
deck.
The liner appeared to falter, then
steadied as the helm was swung over
and her course was directed for land.
But before she could answer to her
helm a Sec nd torpedo pierced her
bow. About four minutes intervened
between the two. Some passengers
stase that not only a 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.
It was while the ship was making
21 Knots with a heavy list to star
board that the order was given, i'm
mediately after the second missile
struck; to lowe the boats.
Among the saloon passengers re!a-
tive calm prevailed. 1t was the gen.
orally. accepted idea that the Lusi-
tania would float. Cool heads eoun-
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 eonclud
ed.
Below the scene enacted was wide
" different. Women, many Of them
with babies in their arms, became
panic stricken. Officers and passen-
gers did their best to calm them.
Fumes arising from the explosion
permeated the ship and many fell un-
conscious to the deck. Meanwhile the
crew struggled valiautly to lower the
boats. But due to the high speed Of
the vessel and the heavy list the
boats fouled the davits or could not
be swung out to clear the side.
Finally upward of 20 boats were
put into the water. Several were
swamped when they struck the water:
others were capsized in the swell
from the ship.
Life belts had been distributed
among the passengers but many pas
sengers did not wait to equip them
selves with the preservers. Some
jumped over the side and were
knocked unconscious when they
struck: others leaped with life belts
on and swan to overturned boats,
there to await the growing Of 9th T
swimmers to right the craft.
Slowly the LUsitania filled forward
and her bow dipped deeper into the
water. Finally the big liner slowed
down and seemed to settle as if she
had run her race and was spent The