The centennial of the end of World War 1 occurred on Nov. 11, 2018. No survivors attended any ceremonies. A few recent films focused on the war years 1914-1918. Many books have been written about the experience for participants and civilians who lived through the war years in areas that saw fighting by opponents, whether German or Allies. The naval war was not a grand match up, with few surface actions to describe. However, the submarine action provided ample fodder for writers and historians both. In "Dead Wake", historian Larsen found a tale worthy of his talents and investigative skills.
His subject is the sinking of the passenger liner, Lusitania, the Cunard Lines modern marvel. Designed to carry its passengers in modern luxury, the 800 ft. steel ship had most conveniences available at the time. Three cabin classes offered various comforts for those on board. On its final, fatal voyage, over 2000 passengers and crew looked forward to a fast, safe, comfortable crossing of the Atlantic Ocean on its passage from New York City to Liverpool, England. England had been at war for over a year with Germany and the German government warned the USA and England that ships flying the British flag were to be considered enemy ships and targeted by submarines on the high seas(or low seas). Amid the joy of departure and the sorrow of separation, passengers settled in for the week long voyage, cruising at a speed of 25 knots- considerably faster than any known submarine. About the time of departure of the Cunard ship, a German submarine prepared for a combat patrol in the vicinity of the Irish Sea as this area had been productive in the recent past.
Author Larsen has the luxury of modern technology, excellent skills, and prosperity that gives him time to dig deep into archives among many locations. Children of survivors, relatives, and troves of official records all helped to shed light on this well known event that happened over a century ago. Many personal letters offered personal accounts described by survivors. The Captain, Turner, was found to be articulate and cooperative during the investigation after the fact. His long maritime career offered great experience which had to reckon with the role of a non-combatant lose during a war when the German military defied convention and identified civilians as acceptable collateral damage(victims/casualties.)
U-20, the submarine that fired the fatal torpedo, was commanded by a young, aggressive captain: Sweigurt. The sub was typical of the type: run on diesel motors for surface cruising, and electric motors for submerged cruising. While under water, the sub could only make about 7 knots, but on the surface, 13 knots was standard. On the fateful Sunday afternoon, the sub observed the 4 stacks of the ship as it approached from the west. The sky was clear, visibility was more than 20 miles, there was little wind, not even enough to ripple the surface. The sub waited about 12 miles south of Kinsale Point, on the Irish south coast. The torpedo hit the ship about 10' below the waterline near one of its 4 engine rooms where coal-fired boilers drove the ship at the 25 knot speed. When the explosion happened after detonation of the explosive, a mighty rumble shook the vessel from stem to stern. The passengers fore and aft were not initially alarmed, and were reassured by captain and crew that nothing could sink this ship.
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