The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-05-14

about o'clock in the a1teFllooh'
Gay was clear and calm, The sun WAC
shining brightly. 1t was a beaNlilN'
day at sea.
In the morning the speed OF 'he
vessel had been reduced b. captain
Turner when off Fastnet, probably IL
fear of scattered mines. The ship was
gliding along smoothly. Most OF the
saloon passengers were at luhcn'
Some had quit the saloon and were
on deck. A majority of the secoho
class and steerage passengers also
were on deCK.
Passengers at Their Ease.
Passengers loiled in steamer chairs
or played at Quoits. Others lined the
ratings. peering anXiously out over
the water. Tor there was much nerV'
Gus tension due to the eVerpresent
peril of submarine attack.
On the bridge a sharp look out was
being kept Sharply at 2:O5 the sig
nal was given from the bridge "ful!
speed ahead"
The Torpedo Sighted.
This apparition was the only warn
inC given. There was an impetuous
rush TO the side of the ship. On the
saloon deck, faces reflected more OF
curiosity than fear. Among the other
classes aboard extreme fear gained
mold and panic was incipient. AnX'
ious eyes were turned to the bridge.
The first flush of the excitement had
just 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 cry arose from scat
tered points of vantage on the star.
board side, There's a submarine
About thousand yards off the star
board bow passengers saw breaking
tho Sun glinted surface the sleek hull
Of a dreaded underwater craft. It
rested for tut a moment o. The .ur.
face. then rs quickly sI)n.urged.
The liner plunged forward under the
thrill Of the new impetus. The whole
of the ships company seemed to
feel the thrill of the new movement.
Passengers on deck fiocked to the
great speed, the track seemed TO veer
more and more toward a point amid.
ships until it struck fair between the
first and second tunnels.
There was great tearing of metal,
followed by 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 grea.
column of steam and water rose and
coal and weed 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
he.m second torpedo pierced her
bow. About four minutes interviewed
between the two Some passengers
state that not only a second, but
third torpedo struck the ship. It is
believed, however, tnar the
explosion of the second torpedo was
for the impact of third.
1t was while the ship was making
Il knots with a heavy list to star.
board that the order was given, I'M.
medlately after the second missile
struck, to lower the boats.
g Among the saloon passengers rela-
tive calm prevailed. 1t was the gen.
orally accepted idea that the Lusi
tanla would float Cool heads coun.
seleo calm and the more timorous
were quietd. Many of the first cabin
passengers went about their depart
ures lelsurely, some even remaining a.
''e taole until luncheon was con-
cluded.
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.
vohSclous to the deck. Meanwhile
'he crew struggled valiantly to lower
Tue ooats' But due to the high speed
OF the vessel and the heavy list the
"'ats 1ouled the davits or could not
oe swung out to clear the side
ExpI sion Mains Maov
rugs and trawlers remained m tho
scene TO pick up the bodies NJ thoeo
drowned. Many rescued were severely
li.a'inea from the effects of the exnlo.
sion. which scattered steel fraeman,s
broadcast. '"''''S
SURVIVORS generally are aoraod .ho.