MAN BELIEVED LOST ON LUSITANIA SAFE

Boston Daily Globe 26 May 1915

MAN BELIEVED LOST ON LUSITANIA SAFE

Thos. McCormack, Nashua, writes from Dublin.

Swam four hours among dead bodies before being picked up

Nashua, N. H. May 25: – Thomas McCormack, the Nashua passenger on the Lusitania, after having been reported lost, then saved, then lost again, is safe in the home which was bequeathed him near Dublin, according to a letter received today by a close friend, Philip Gerety of 8 Whitney St. The letter is dated Robertstown, County Kildare, Ire, May 12 and says:

“I had a good time until we met the submarine. This was just about 2:10 pm. The torpedo struck with a shock such as I never expected to feel. We had no warning at all and no time to get in any of the lifeboats.

“Until about five minutes before the steamer went down I remained on deck. Then I decided that my only chance was to leap into the sea and swim for it. The water was about 40 feet below, but over I went and remained in the water, swimming about without any lifebelt, for about two hours. Then I found one floating in the water and put it on. Then I felt I was all right, for a time at least. About two hours later I was picked up, having been in the water about four hours. While swimming about I was among hundreds of dead bodies of men, women and children. The only thing that saved me was my experience as a swimmer. My left hand was badly cut, otherwise I came- through safely.

“Remember me to all my friends.”

Mr. McCormack had been a boatman on a steamer at the mouth of the River Shannon before coming to America, and his friends say was remarkably expert as a waterman.

Re-typed by Andy Mason.