LUSITANIA’S END

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1928, Page 6

LUSITANIA’S END

U-BOAT ALAN’S VERSION

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegr a ph—Copy r igh t).

NEW YORK, Oct. 26

The Lusfiitania was sunk “by chance,” rather than by specific German orders, according to the account of Commander Waltlrer Sehweiger, Captain of U-Boat No. 20, in Air Low. ell Thomas’s book, “Seal Raiders,” published to-day. Commander Schvveiger’s story is: “I sighted on the horizon a forest, of masts. and stacks, and at first 1 thought that there were several ships. I perceived that one was coming on, and I dived immediately for a shot. The ship changed its course at two miles distant, making a perfect targod. I waited for a short time. I had only two inferior “bronzes” remaining. At four hundred yards, I ordered “Fire!” The torpedo hit the ship. We approached and the pilot, peering through the periscope, yelled: “My God! It is the Lusitania!” I took the periscope ancl saw the ship sinking with unbelievable rapidity. There was a terrible panic on deck. It was the most terrible sight that I have ever seen. It was impossible to give help.” On returning to Germany. Commander Sehweiger, was appalled with the anger at outraged humanity, and was reprimanded by the.'.ex-Kaiser and by his brother officers. The consensus of opinion, according to Air Thomas, was that Commander Sehweiger merely carried out the orders to sink any ship in the blockaded waters.