THE LUSITANIA'S ESCAPE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15884, 3 April 1915, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE LUSITANIA'S ESCAPE.

PURSUED BY KARLSRUHE.

It is recalled that the Lusitania, when closely pressed by the Karlsruhe last sum* mer, owed her escape to Captain Dow's keen sailor wit. It was just after war had been declared and the liners, with doused lights, were emerging from New York at 1 a.m., forwarued that hungry German cruisers were patrolling tho coast. In the gloom of the Wednesday morning the Lusitania left with only three of her four propellers in commission. Captain Dow set the usual course to northward. Three or four hours out, when the darkness had dissolved a little, 'Captain Dow, who was on the bridge, made out a black hulk on his starboard bow. Careful scrutiny convinced him that it was the Karlsruhe. The Lusitania, limping on her three propellers, made a hall-turn and ran south. -Meantime she sent out wireless calls for the British cruiser Essex. As the light grew it was seen that the stranger.waS in full pursuit. A string of bunting proclaimed the message. " You are captured." Six miles away the Karlsruhe was " kicking the sea" astern at a good 24 knots, when a fog bank loomed ahead. The Lusitania had picked up the Essex and received information that the Leipsic was waiting for the fugitive off the Atlantic highlands. The Lusitania was advised to head out to sea and meet the Essex. This could not be done without cutting the course of the pursuing cruiser. Captain Dow kept on his course. Not a passenger was on deck, or suspected the change of course. When well inside the fog-bank Captain Dow stopped the engines. Like a log the big liner lay in the mist. Not a light glowed; no whistles sounded; and even the watch bells wero silenced. Then, still in the darkness and silence, the Lusitania turned on her heel and made off at full speed on her former north-eastward course. Nothing more was seen of the German cruiser. " I didn't think she'd sink us," said l Captain Dow, when he returned three weeks later, "but i knew she'd run us ashore if she got the chance, and the boat would be a total loss." Until recently not a word was printed of tho Lusitania'a adventure, but in view of the fact that in all probability the Karlsruhe was blown up, the ftory may be told.