Germany's Great Crime

Te Puke Times, Issue II, 11 May 1915, Page 3

Germany's Great Crime

Loss of The Lusitania Over 1,500 Lives Lost London, May 8. The Press Bureau states that there were 21G0 persons on the Lusitania, but there are only SGB survivors. Nearly all the first-class passengers perished. Captain Turner, the commander, was saved, but nearly all the officers perished.' Twenty-two rescued passengers died. According to the best available information the Lusitania was toipedoed about 2 in the afternoon. The signalman at the Old Head of Kinsale noticed that the liner was in difficulties at 2.12. The liner was struck on the starboard side, and immediately took a heavy list. Those people who were on that side had very little chance of saving their lives. The first-class passengers were lunching at the time of the disaster. Survivors state that when the ship struck there was a great crash, and in the first confusion husbands, wives, and children were separated. There was no panic, however. The liner shivered from stem to stern, and she settled down immediately. It was impossible to launch the boats on one side. The women and children were placed in the boats first. Twenty of the liner's boats were counted on the scene immediately after the vessel sank, Each _was capable of carrying from 50 to*6o passengers. Meanwhile, on receipt of the Lusitania's message Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Coke ordered four naval vessels and all the available tugs, trawlers, and lifeboats to proceed to the scene of the disaster. A fleet of motor-boats was despatched from Cork to meet the survivors many of whom were in a pitiable condition. The Admiralty states that the total number of survivors is GSG, and it is possible the fishing boats have a few more. The Cunard Company states that the -number of persons on board the liner when she was struck was 21G0. It is stated that 10G Americans perished. Five boats reached Queenstown on Friday night, and there were pitiable scenes. Many of the men and women were barefooted and thinly clad, Among the passengers were Sir Hugh Lane, of Dublin, Mr A. G. Vanderbilt, the American millionair, Charles Frohman, the actor manager, Justus Forman, the famous author, Mr and. Mrs J. Macky, of New Zealand, Lady Mackworth, Rev Father Basil Maturin, and others.