SURVIVORS' STORIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 10 May 1915, Page 5

SURVIVORS' STORIES

I .... , . • , ' MAGNIFICT&T COtiRA&E AND DISCIPLINE. DISPLAYED. RAFTS SAVE A LARGE NUMBER. {Rec. May 10, 8.40 a.iic.-) LONDON,. May 9. Mr Variderbilt is ciohsiiiered to t be dead. ■ ; ' Mr Frohman's body has been recovered. . ' _ Mr. S. Peargon, an American financier, Survivors, while in the boats, saw a submarine's periscope after the Lusitania foundered." • : , ' , _F. Gaiintlettj of Washington 1 , - interviewed/'said'he quitted a boat winch was beinff lowered,, and...swam' to a piece {of •wreckage. This proved to. b.e a collap-, . sible boatj .arui he was ripping it open vtibti vfewie when, another passenger en-;

lored' it, and both were on.il/ied to rescue thirty people struggling in the water. He' noticed a cluster of women and children under men's protection on the Lusitania's port side, and as the vessel plunged the little army slid down to the starboard side, dashing against each other until engulfed. There are fifty-four American survivors.

Dr. Moore, the American, states that at one o'clock he saw a submarine's conning tower on the port side, appearing and disappearing, and altering its speed. Tho Lusitania meanwhile was zi-zagging at eighteen knots. Presently the submarine disappeared, and the Lusitania ceased to zigzag. "We sat at lunch," continued the doctor, "and about two we heard a muffled drum-like noiso from forward. The ship trembled, and began to list, to starboard. Unless the first submarine had been able to run rings round the Lusitania, there must have been a second hidden on the starboard. I heard no second explosion. There was general excitement; "and the second saloon was soon quitted.* By the time I reached the deck the list made walking difficult. Most of the passengers went on the promenade deck. Within a few minutes the rail was a only twelve feet above tho water. A stewardess struggled along the promeade under a load of lifebelts as the ship was settling." Dr. Moore entered a boat, which got clear. The boat leaked, and was bailed with hats; but it sank.

Many rafts were set afloat, and saved a large number.

All accounts state that there was no panic.

Passengers and crew behaved with magnificent courage and discipline. The passengers firmly believed the steamer would not sink, especially as after the first heeling she did not list anv farther. . '

One passenger states that eight boats were hanging over tho side when the vessel sank.

TORPEDO IN THE BUNKERS,

BOILERS EXPLODE

(Rec. May 10, 9.35 a.m.) LONDON, May 9.

John Davis, n member of the crew, said they had a. splendid voyage to the <)bast. The vessel was travelling at half-speedi near Fastnet, owing to fog. She then increased lier speed to 16 knots. "Full speed." was rung for at 2,5 and the vessel ziggagged. An explosion fol-; lowed almost immediately- The torpedo struck the bunker, -all. divisions being rent. Coal was scattered, in all diThe ship finally stood on end arid dived like a. cluck. The boilers exploded and the funnel, was .blown out.