Questioning Bailey and Ryan

[Jesse D O'Neill]

Bailey and Ryan claim the U-20's torpedo hit between the 1st and 2nd funnels, but almost all other other books and Scweiger's Log put the hit right under the just slightly aft of the bridge, 10 ft at most. Scweiger although looking from a periscope still had the best view, as the the people on the Lusitania were looking down from the high decks of lusitania, but Scweiger's periscope was at most 11 ft above the torpedo. this also cancels out his Bailey's boiler explosion theory, as the boiler is room is too far aft from the bridge, the closest area's being the coal bunkers and the cargo room as pointed out by the the diagram of the Lusitania in Bailey's book, which are practically right beneath the bridge. which would mean some explosive cargo caused the 2nd explosion, or coal dust or a steam pipe.

 

[Martin Owen Cahill]

How about right under the first funnel?
This would put the aft bulkhead in the coal bunker in range of flying metal thus allowing boiler room 2 to flood.
Any thoughts?

Martin

P.S. still to get a copy of Bailey & Ryan so I can't commemt in depth on their thesis arguement.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

Looks like I'll have to put a copy of this book on my Christmas wish list. I can't really comment intelligently on the whole of their claims unless I know exactly what they are and in what context they're being made.

Perhaps Eric Sauder would care to offer his own views?

 

[Jesse D O'Neill]

the Diagram (or line drawings if you prefer that instead)i referred to earlier is on Pg 7 in Bailey & Ryans book. there is also a line drawing in Simpson's book which agrees w/ the one in Bailey and Ryans book on where the cargo hold is, though it only shows the cargo area and surrounding areas. i think there is also one in Mark Warren's book, but im not sure which page, as its not part of my collection, though i have looked at it a good many times while in the seamans church of philadelphia. i don't believe the torpedo hit under the first funnel, that would've resulted in a boiler explosion and surviing stokers from boiler room 1 or 2 reported any exploding boilers. i believe the torperdo hit between the coal bunker and cargo area, this is right underneath the bridge of the ship, and caused a steam line explosion or aluminum powder explosion, also take to mind that thats where Scwieger reported the hit in his log book and that he had the best vantage point to view the hit from, and i don't think he'd lie about where a torpedo hit a ship.

 

[Jesse D O'Neill]

oh yes. i almost forgot. Bailey and Ryans book can usually be found at libraries, if not it cost between 6 - 18$ on Abes depending on condition, and i wouldnt spend more than that on it as its a fairly common book. Simpson's book is even more common and can be found very cheap averagely at 1 - 4$, Warrens book usual cost is 35 - 80$ (though some dealers get greedy and ask for twice the high end of what i mentioned for warren's book, though can usually be found at those prices listed). other books of interest will be Ballards which runs between 12 - 40$ (try to get 1 on the lower end as these books are fairly common, just high demand, i suppose its the good mix ballard and lusitania) which also shows where coal bunker and boilers are, though not cargo area. diana preston's book has an interesting appendix on the subject of the 2nd explosion, though the rest of the book is largely a repeat of other books. O'sullvan's book is also highly recomendable. last two books are new, though can be found used. feel free to add books to recomendable list.