The Harrison times., 1915-05-15

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classes aboard extreme fear gainel
mold and panic was incipient. AnX
ious eyes were turned to the bridge
The first flush Of the excitement had
lust passed when there arose a more
ominous cry from the deck, There's
! torpedo coming straight at us"
From the point where the submarine
sank a great white streak-the tract.
Of the torpedo, was traced 1t was
aimed slightly ahead Of the Lusitania
but as the liner plunged forward at
side Suddenly a cry arose from scat.
tered points Of vantage on the star,
board side, "There's a submarine"
About a thousand yards off the star
board bow passengers saw treakinB
the sun glintcd surface the sleek hull
Of a dreaded underwater craft II
rested for tut a moment o. the sur
face, !hen rs quickly sr)ncrged
The liner plunged forward under the
thrill o. the new impetus. The whole
Of the ships company seemed to
feel the thrill Of the new movement.
Passengers on deck floCked TO the
great speed, the track seemed to veer
more and more toward point amid.
ships until 1t struck fair between the
first and second tunnels.
There was a great tearing Of metal,
followed by a terrific explosion in the
stoke hole The ship trembled from
stem to stern. The planks seemed to
rise under foot. Then the liner set.
tied as If sorely wounded, A great
column Of steam and water 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.
Missile Tears Through Bow.
But before she could answer TO her
helm a second torpedo pierced her
bow About four minutes interviewed
between the two. Some passengers
state that not only a second, but a
third torpedo struck the ship It is
generally believed, however tnat the
explosion Of the second torpedo was
mistaken for the impact Of a third,
1t was while the ship was making
Fl knots with a heavy list to star
board that the order was given, I'M.
modiately after the second missile
struck, TO lower the boats,
Among the saloon passengers rela,
tive calm prevailed. 1t was the gen.
orally accepted idea that the Lusl
tania would float, Cool heads coun.
seled calm and the more timorous
wore quietd, Many Of the first cabin
passengers went about their depart.
ures leisuroly, some even remaining at
the table until luncheon was con.
cludcl.
Below the scene enacted was wide
ly different Women, many Of Their
with babies In their arms, became
panlcstrlcken, Officers and passen,
gers did their best to calm them
Fumes arising from the explosion
permeatcd the ship and many fell un,
conscious to the deck Meanwhile
the crew struggled yalantly to lower
the boats, But due to the high speed
Of the vessel and the heavy list the
boats fouled the daylts or could not
be swung out to clear the side.
Twenty Boats Launched.
Finally upwards Of 20 boats were
pvt into the water Several were
swamped, others were capsizod in the
swell from the ship, Life bolts had
been distributed among the passon.
gers, but many passengers did not
walt to equip themselves with the
preseryers. Some Jumped over the
side and were drowned, others loapod
with life belts on and swan to over.
turned boats, thore to await the com,
Ing of othor swimmers to right the
craft,
Slowly the LusltOnia filled forward
and her bow dipped deeper into the
water
Finally the big liner slowed down
and seemed TO settle as II she had
run her race and was spent,
The wirless appartus still sput.
tered It's call for help on the bridge
stood Captain Turner with his oyocu.
tive officer bosido him directing the
hopeless fight In the water mon and
women struggled for their lives, Five
boats remained ontanged at the
dayits,
with q final lungo forward the Lusl.
tanla sank
Not moro than 20 minutes had
elapsed since the first torpedo struck
her,
She went down by the head,
Aa the big liner took her final
plunge most OF those remaining ON
deck leapcd Somo struck tho sldoa.
Others jumped clear ana struck nva,
II was here that most Of tho llycs
WpPo lhat