Dead Wake

Author Erik Larson begins his book about the last crossing of the Lusitania in 1915 by introducing the reader to the ship and her captain, William Turner.  Early in August of 1914 war had broken out in Europe.  It quickly spread and involved many nations across the globe.  The Germans had a new weapon, which they started to use to great effect; the submarine.  Initially they planned to use it to force Britain's navy to back down, however it was soon put to use sinking merchant shipping in the hopes of starving Britain into submission.  The waters around Britain were declared a 'war zone' and any ship therein was a potential target.

President Wilson of the USA up until this point should remain neutral.  However, when the German Kaiser said that all ships were targeted, he voiced a strong protest.  The passengers of the Lusitania on that fateful voyage began to congregate in New York City, 187 of them were American, a small portion of the total list.

Meantime, across the Atlantic, Unterseeboot-20 was just putting out to sea, captained by Walther Schweiger.  At this point, Larson discusses the type of captain that Schweiger was, and what life was like aboard a submarine.

In New York City, the Germans had spy's aplenty.  However, the British had Room 40.  Britain had cut the German trans-Atlantic cable at the beginning of the war, so Germany had to send their messages by air, and were easily picked up by the British.  The British also had a copy of the German naval code book, so were able to know when German ships/submarines were and where they were going.  Only a few in the British admiralty knew of Room 40.

On May 1, 1915 the German Embassy posted a warning in the New York newspapers to ships of the danger crossing the Atlantic.  In particular, the Lusitania was picked out.  However, very few paid any attention to it, and the passengers boarded the Lusitania that same day.  Meanwhile back in Room 40, the spymasters were well aware of the threat, and were following the messages of U-20.  They knew exactly where it was headed, as well as several other U-boats.  However, no one informed Captain Turner.

The Lusitania was slightly delayed in its departure, which in itself would be telling.  Also, due to the war, the Lusitania only used three of its four boilers, thereby reducing its speed from 25 knots to only 21.  In Room 40, the admiralty reluctantly allows the superdreadnought, 'Orion' to leave port, despite knowing that U-20 would be in the area it was scheduled to travel through.

And so the hunt begins; Turner unaware of U-20, and Schweiger managing to torpedo ships along the southern coast of Ireland.  Passengers aboard the Lusitania saw the lifeboats being positioned for easy lowering really thought nothing of it.  The Lusitania had departed New York City on Sunday May 1st, and by Thursday, Turner's ship was nearing Ireland.  It was at this time he was warned of submarines off the coast of Ireland.

On Friday May 7 at 2:10 p. m., Schweiger's torpedo struck.  Eighteen minutes later, the Lusitania was beneath the surface with many of her passengers.  Only 764 of the 1 198 aboard would survive.  Of those that died 123 were American.  There are many stories of survival shared by the author, but at the same time many sad stories of loss.

The day following the sinking, an inquest was held in Kinsale, Ireland.  It found the submarine's officers and men plus the emperor of Germany guilty of wholesale murder.  On the other hand, the admiralty set out to place all of the blame on William Turner.  This was done to draw attention away from what naval intelligence truly knew.  Lord Mersey would find in favour of Turner.

Many believe that it was the sinking of the Lusitania that brought the USA into the war, but it actually didn't enter the war until almost two years later when the Zimmerman Telegram came to light.  Germany had also declared all out war on shipping in the Atlantic.  President Wilson asked Congess permission to declare war.

"Dead Wake" is interspersed with many memories of the last voyage of the Lusitania.  Also included are many British naval secrets that have come to light in recent years.  It makes for good reading and is a book that any fan of history will enjoy.