The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-28
TWAS MIRACLE NO
CONTINUED From First Page.)

swallowed up the ocean giant-im-
pertur baby they kept sending the
fateful 8, O. s. signal Save our
Souls"
Al a speed of seventeen knots, the
LAconia was gliding through the wa
tiers OF the Irish sea Sunday night on
the last lap OF her voyage from New
York to Liverpool. II there had been
any fear among her passengers. it
had been pretty well dispelled by the
proximity of the liners destination
and OF the British navy. But every
man. woman or child was ready for
any eventuality, Under the cautious
direction OF her master, Captain Ir-
vine. the ships passengers and crew
had drilled every day from the time
they had left the Statue of Liberty
behind Everything was prepared TO
the minutest detail
Approached Lusitania's Grave.
The great majority of the passen-
gers had gone TO bed Isolated c5u-
pies still walked to and fro on the
decks In the saloons men smoked.
played cards or told stories. or all
those on board probably only the cap
tain. patrolllng the bridge on twenty
four hours vigil. knew that the wa
ters through which the liner was just
then speeding were favorite hunting
grounds OF the U-beatsi that the La
COMA was approaching the Lusitania's
grave.
Starts to Join Lusitania-
The bridge clock had just sounded
the erst Of the two bells announcing
"fe:1a" The second was drowned
in crash that shook the sea levia-
than as IL IL were g. skeleton. tor
pedo had struck on the star board
abEst the engine room, penetrating
the ships vitals. the engines. A sec
@ne later the huge vessel, now a help
less monster and d tool of the sea.
stood edgewise, listing heavily to star
hoard. sinking inch by inch into It's
grave whence the wreck of the proud
I.usitania beckoned welcome.
Under the direction Of Captain Ir-
vine and his officers the disembark-
ing of passengers began. There was
no panic, no mad trampiing down
Of fellow passengers. ne violent push
ing aside. Through the darkness OF
the night rang out sharp. clear COM
mands, responded 10 by an almost
ugcAnnily measured shutting Of feet
toward the starboard side, for II was
there that most OF the life boats were
launched only the cries OF children
rudsly awakened from their slumber
indicated that all was not well. Glar-
sng rockets shot skyward, illuminat-
sLY LIAN "alETE AIcu mere Was
no sign Of the sinister assailant In
the wireless room, two youths, Don
res and Taylor by names. quietly.
r<rsistenuy tucked away on their APP
pArxtus: e. o. e.; +. q. s." Not a
VERY In the world seemed theirs.
se&th set with grim determination,
their eyes calmly gazing out OF the
window where fear haunted faces
psAees aks shadows, they stuck TO
fhe3f jobs.
'~csoAe&t cali ever had" said one
~ their tonight. laughingiy. II was
31ssy vsa happy that the old appa-
nt4k E.2ek ~ us"
Aesrue Work lake Machinery.
Near while the rescue work went
Dn In aS orcsrly, egstsnAtic fashion.
4 ~ tie Zig Hnsf teamed lower and
iGysr sswkra stsrcpArs. the launch
4EG Of t@s4s on tfsa-t side became more
AnA more rfaenaesrx. One Of them
~teS4ssxssS Ia sks launching Mos,
~ ahs D1s.s were fasaE ~ thls time.
1k3s tssss.- ~x9 fae~ssass2s ssssesiisy In
Gexsa@g ss< Feaa&4Easr 81
T<<x 4 GSS 1s&at aifSss.. ia tfse cir
@SassAsrss. q seSo1A mssx5e hst ,hs
NAef. THIS tfrss I'm ssygk2ng Ehe en-
n5See o. ssse port SIZE Axsit ths big