Dead Wake: The Last Crossing Of The Lusitania

As Larson traces the journeys of the Lusitania and the U-20 throughout Dead Wake, he pays special attention to how the fateful encounter between the two ships occurs due to a multitude of small incidents and actions. When isolated from each other, each of these events seems to have no particular bearing on the journey of the Lusitania. When considered together, however, these small incidents directly lead to the Lusitania’s destruction. Larson notes often throughout Dead Wake that it was highly unlikely that the Lusitania would ever cross paths with the U-20 or that the U-boat would successfully torpedo the massive passenger liner. However, a “convergence of disparate forces” places the Lusitania directly in the U-20’s firing line on May 7, 1915 (117).

On May 1, the day of the Lusitania’s departure, Larson describes a number of small events that would have historic consequences for the Lusitania. One of these events occurs after the British Admiralty requisitions a small passenger liner, the Cameronia. The passengers of the Cameronia are transferred to the far larger Lusitania. This delays the Lusitania’s departure for two hours as baggage is transferred and passengers are brought on board. During the two-hour delay, Captain Turner decides to invite his niece on board for a tour of the ship.