by Erik Larson
This month’s reading selection, Dead Wake by Erik Larson coincides with the 100 year anniversary of
the United States entering World War I. This extraordinary nonfiction title
tells the story of the final voyage of the Lusitania
and her 1,959 passengers and crew, of which only 764 survived.
Our discussion was lively and free flowing. I am so glad
most everyone enjoyed the book. One member could not get into the story. By the
end of the discussion she is eager to go home and try again. The other seven
members enjoyed Dead Wake and were
happy we read it.
Larson’s detail of the passengers and their belongings is
impressive. The amount of research and hours spent on this book shows and is
well worth the effort. There is a Kansas City connection with the husband and
wife travelers Theodore and
Belle Naish. Belle survives and cannot stand blue skies because they remind her
of the day the ship sunk. We each had favorite characters including Theodate
Pope, Captain Turner, and Charles Lauriet. Another favorite is Margaret
Mackworth; she survives the sinking and being sucked into the funnel and shot
like a cannon out of the funnel.
One member is especially angry and upset that Winston
Churchill let this tragedy happen to the Lusitania.
Churchill and Room 40 had ample opportunity to warn Captain Turner, protect
the ship, and change the course because they knew German submarines were
patrolling the area. Room 40’s secrecy, though understood, seems too extreme
for the damage it did to the Lusitania and
other vessels. There should have been multiple ways around rerouting ships and
protecting them that did not expose the fact Room 40 is breaking the German’s
codes.
We all felt especially bad for Captain Turner. Turner did
everything he could to avoid trouble and tried to save lives. There is a
perfect storm of events that all lead to the sinking. If only a few things were
different the ship might have made it to Liverpool. To blame Captain Turner is
inexcusable. He did not have the appropriate knowledge of the submarine’s
whereabouts. He receives conflicting reports
The Lusitania sinks
so far, in only 18 minutes. We cannot imagine the panic and horror of the
passengers. However, those aboard seem calm and are not worried the ship is
going down. The failing lifeboats are particularly sad. There are more than
enough life boats however, the ship lists so badly the ships are hanging over
the side and cannot launch. We cannot imagine the horror of seeing one boat
fall on top of another full boat.
We would not want to spend any time in a German submarine.
Death is around every corner. There
are many factors to control and get right and it changes all the time. Water
temperature, depth, and current all affect the submarine. How much fresh water,
number or torpedoes, and weight of food affect the pressure and planes needed
to dive. There are so many things that could go wrong. Some of the
potential deadly events include: asphyxiation from chlorine gas if water
touches the batteries; water seeping in from valves left open; or being struck
by a boat. The very close quarters and smell of the sub are other unpleasant
things to consider. Most of us felt Captain Schwieger got what he deserved. A
few years after sinking the Lusitania His
sub blew up from contact with a mine in the North Sea.
Woodrow Wilson’s depression and almost apathy for the war is
a surprise to all of us. Most did not know his wife died and he remarried while
in office. Edith Gault is interesting because she knows how difficult it will
be to marry the President. She will come under fire for everything she does. We
are glad their love story works out and are happy they marry. Most of us do not
realize it took nearly two years for Wilson to declare war after the Lusitania sinks. We all knew the sinking
sparks a change in the way Americans view the war. Most members say their
knowledge of WWI is much less than that of WWII. This book helps us understand
the tragedy and world events surrounding WWI.
