SABOTAGE?

Industrial Unionist, Volume 1, Issue 8, 1 September 1913, Page 2

SABOTAGE?

The following extract from the New York Times speaks for itself: BIT OF ROPE TIES UP LUSITANIA EIGHT MONTHS. Jammed Telemotor and Caused Giant Liner to Twist Her Turbine Blades. REPAIRS TO COST $500,000. With Loss of Business in the Months Needed to Make Repairs Cunard Company Will Be Out $1,000,000.

It became known yesterday that a piece of marline, a small line of two strands twisted loosely left lianded and used for binding the ends of ropes, winch, bad dropped into tbe telemotor of tbe Lusitania s steering gear, caused tbe trouble that will keep tbe Cunard liner Lusitania out of service for eight months, and make it necessary to reblade three turbines at a cost of $500,000. The accident occurred as the liner was entering tbe Fishguard Harbour on Monday afternoon, December 30. The order was given to port tbe helm to avoid a steamer that was 'Coming out. When tbe quartermaster put tbe wheel over tbe steering gear failed to work. It was found that tbe telemotor bad jammed. To avoid an accident tbe turbines were sent full speed astern without tbe usual precaution of stopping them first and then reversing them slowly.