Mexico weekly ledger., 1916-08-31
DEWI MGHAEL TELLS OF
SINKING OF LUSTANIA

SNNNNNAAuS
Dewi Michael, leader Of the Royal
event weleh Glee Singers, was a pas
serger on the Inflated ship, Lusitania.
Myself and nine of the members Of
oU- party started from New York the
first day Of May, 1915, for 3 six
weeks vacation in Wales" said Mr..
Michael. in telling Of his experience
ut was a beautiful day and we were
singing, singing our farewell to New
York. We SAM America and the Star
Spangled Banner as we left the pier.
~we entered the danger zone on
Friday, May It'll. The life boats were
all hung from the davits ready 70 he
lowered at a moments notice. We
were at lunch when the boat was
struck. There were so many passsn-
gers that WI tables had been install
ed in the dining salon and Il happened
that I was seated at the second table,
We had almost finished our meal and
were eating our desert when we heard
q terrible crash. I well remember
the desert was rice pudding. and /
thought ] will finish this whatever
happens As soon as We finished we
went upon deck to discover what had
happened. 1t was remarkable Cow
cool we kept through it all.
when we reached the deck, we
could see that the ship was doomed.
Many small e~ollapsible boats were
dashed to the deck and we began to IN
fasten these so they could be used
when needed. While we were thus en-
gagged an officer came Il US and said
the air compartments had all been
closed and that there was no danger
Of the ship sinking. 1t was at this
time that | realized that ! had-no life
jacket and started below TO get one.
| met the steward coming up with
three, one of which he handed me. I
put it on and started up to the sec
ond deck, then I felt the great shin
sinking; it felt Just like an elevator
going down.
Il hurried to the second deck.
From there there was a stairway lead
ing to the upper deck. This stairway
was crowded with frightened women
and children, and this sight is what l
always see when l think of the Lusi-
tania. | was unable to ascend the
stairway, 30 l dropped owe the bui-
wark. where l held for a few moments
and then dropped into the water, thin
ty feet below. ] swan as far away
from the sip as possible in the time J
had, in order to escape the suction
caused by her sinking, but no suction
followed, due to the fact, as explain
ed by the captain, that the bow struck
the bottom before the stern was under
water.
"After three quarters of an hour |
saw a boat adrift from the sunkea
ship and swan to it; two more boats
were nearby and with the aid of other
survivors. the three boats were lashe /
together to make a large raft. About
fifty survivors were gathered on this
raft, four Of our party among US. AZ
e ter drifting about a few hours they
asked us to sing, we sang "Abide Witt
Me, Fast Falls the Even Tide" Tn,
e song was exceedingly appropriate for
the conditions, night was coming on
: and We could hear the cries for heir
: from the doomed vessel; but we were
: compelled to stop the song; those or
] the raft were sobbing. 1t wal a ter.
r rible situation.
: 4We saw many boats going to tbs
i rescue, only to return with no pas.
sengers; when we inquired the cause
We were told that the submarine wa.
: circling around the scene and allowins
no boats to approach.
! "We were picked up in the night b!
4 a boat from Queenstown and reach
1 ed that city about midnight, afte.
. spending six hours on the raft. Thre.
{ of the members of our party wer,
drowned, the conductor and two 9th
ers."
When asked if the Lusitania VIZ
given any warning by the attacking
submarine, Mr.. Michael replied: INC
absolutely none; we were at lunch
jollying with each other when the shiI
was struck"