CHAPTER III
SOUL-STIRRING STORIES OF SURVIVORS OF THE LUSITANIA
[COULD NOT LAUNCH BOATS] — [SAYS SHIP SANK IN FIFTEEN MINUTES] — [SCREAMS INTENSIFY HORROR] — [ON HUNT FOR THE LIFE-BELTS] — [INJURED BOY SHOWS PLUCK] — [MANY CHILDREN DROWNED] — [WOMEN RUSHED FOR THE BOATS] — [PATERSON, N. J., GIRLS AMONG RESCUED] — [THREATENED SEAMEN WITH REVOLVER] — [RESCUED UNCONSCIOUS FROM THE WATER] — [LIFE-BOAT SMASHED] — [REASSURED BY SHIP’S OFFICER].
Among the stories of the Lusitania horror told by the survivors were a few that stand out from the rest for their clearness and vividness. One of the most interesting of these, notable for the prominence of the man who relates it as well as for its conciseness, was the description given by Samuel M. Knox, president of the New York Shipbuilding Company. Mr. Knox said:
“Shortly after two, while we were finishing luncheon in a calm sea, a heavy concussion was felt on the starboard side, throwing the vessel to port. She immediately swung back and proceeded to take on a list to starboard, which rapidly increased.
“The passengers rapidly, but in good form, left the dining room, proceeding mostly to the A or boat deck. There were preparations being made to launch the boats. Order among the passengers was well maintained, there being nothing approaching a panic. Many of the passengers had gone to their staterooms and provided themselves with life-belts.
“The vessel reached an angle of about twenty-four degrees and at this point there seemed to be a cessation in the listing, the vessel maintaining this position for four or five minutes, when something apparently gave way, and the list started anew and increased rapidly until the end.
“The greater number of passengers were congregated on the high side of the ship, and when it became apparent that she was going to sink I made my way to the lower side, where there appeared to be several boats only partly filled and no passengers on that deck. At this juncture I found the outside of the boat deck practically even with the water and the ship was even farther down by the head.
COULD NOT LAUNCH BOATS
“I stepped into a boat and a sailor in charge then attempted to cast her off, but it was found that the boat-falls had fouled the boat and she could not be released in the limited time available. I went overboard at once and attempted to get clear of the ship, which was coming over slowly. I was caught by one of the smokestacks and carried down a considerable distance before being released.