World War I, also known as the ‘Great War,’ led Europe into chaos, and into a new era of warfare. With this, came advances in weapons technology, including the first effective implementation of submarines. These submarines changed how marine warfare was conducted. They were undetectable metal capsules that traversed the ocean floor blindly, torpedoes aimed indiscriminately at any ship in their path. One passenger liner, the Lusitania, sadly felt the brute force of the German U-Boats (unterseeboots). This attack left 1,197 civilians dead, and a vengeful spirit in America, who joined the war shortly after. Erick Larson studied the last crossing of the Lusitania, looking at both the Germans and the passengers telling of their story in his book Dead Wake.
The Lusitania was the fastest passenger liner in its time, as well as a pinnacle of luxury not seen since the Titanic. At its top speed of 25 knots, the Lusitania could cross the Atlantic Ocean in five days. This speed earned the Lusitania the nickname of the ‘Greyhound of the Atlantic’. These speeds were the ship’s main defense against German U-Boats because at the time, submarines could only travel 16 knots at the surface and eight knots when sumeraged. This ‘defense’ was the reason many people chose to travel on the Lusitania, even though the ship was a known target of the German U-Boats. Larson describes the attitude of the passengers and captain as confident in the safety of the Lusitania, with one passenger even stating, “he [William Uno Meriheina] had chosen the Lusitania because he believed it to be the ‘safest’ ship” (Larson 143).
German U-Boats were considered cutting edge technology for the time. Larson describes, in detail, the structure and mechanics of the U-Boats, detailing the weight distribution of the torpedoes, food and waste management, and how the increase and decrease of these items affected a submarine's buoyancy. He described life on the German U-Boats as “cramped” and, “water was rationed… no one bathed… food quickly spoiled” (Larson 62). However, similar to ships, submarines each have their own rules and culture. Larson focuses on U-20, the submarine responsible for the sinking of the Lusitania. Walter Schwieger, Captain of U-20 created a unique environment; it was one filled with camaraderie. He was known in the German navy for, “his kindness and good humor and for maintaining a cheerful atmosphere” (Larson 59).
In addition to factual and anecdotal information regarding German submarines, information and unique perspectives from the passengers on the Lusitania, Larson also details how the American government learned about and defended against German U-Boats. Taking place in “Room 40” this endeavor was considered a top secret government operation. Taking all sides into consideration, Dead Wake provides a comprehensive account of the historic sinking.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I thought the writing was well done and engaging. In parts of the story I lost myself in the descriptiveness of Larson’s writing and felt like I was on the deck of the Lusitania or in the belly of a German submarine U-20. The story is very interesting and informative, and provides a complete picture of the sinking of the Lusitania from every perspective. I would recommend this book to people who love learning about World War I or anyone who wants a true and interesting perspective on the last crossing of the Lusitania. A word of caution, I would not recommend this book to people who are easily claustrophobic. Larson truly transports the reader into Lusitania and the U-Boats, and there are times when the suspense is intense.
The Lusitania was the fastest passenger liner in its time, as well as a pinnacle of luxury not seen since the Titanic. At its top speed of 25 knots, the Lusitania could cross the Atlantic Ocean in five days. This speed earned the Lusitania the nickname of the ‘Greyhound of the Atlantic’. These speeds were the ship’s main defense against German U-Boats because at the time, submarines could only travel 16 knots at the surface and eight knots when sumeraged. This ‘defense’ was the reason many people chose to travel on the Lusitania, even though the ship was a known target of the German U-Boats. Larson describes the attitude of the passengers and captain as confident in the safety of the Lusitania, with one passenger even stating, “he [William Uno Meriheina] had chosen the Lusitania because he believed it to be the ‘safest’ ship” (Larson 143).
German U-Boats were considered cutting edge technology for the time. Larson describes, in detail, the structure and mechanics of the U-Boats, detailing the weight distribution of the torpedoes, food and waste management, and how the increase and decrease of these items affected a submarine's buoyancy. He described life on the German U-Boats as “cramped” and, “water was rationed… no one bathed… food quickly spoiled” (Larson 62). However, similar to ships, submarines each have their own rules and culture. Larson focuses on U-20, the submarine responsible for the sinking of the Lusitania. Walter Schwieger, Captain of U-20 created a unique environment; it was one filled with camaraderie. He was known in the German navy for, “his kindness and good humor and for maintaining a cheerful atmosphere” (Larson 59).
In addition to factual and anecdotal information regarding German submarines, information and unique perspectives from the passengers on the Lusitania, Larson also details how the American government learned about and defended against German U-Boats. Taking place in “Room 40” this endeavor was considered a top secret government operation. Taking all sides into consideration, Dead Wake provides a comprehensive account of the historic sinking.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I thought the writing was well done and engaging. In parts of the story I lost myself in the descriptiveness of Larson’s writing and felt like I was on the deck of the Lusitania or in the belly of a German submarine U-20. The story is very interesting and informative, and provides a complete picture of the sinking of the Lusitania from every perspective. I would recommend this book to people who love learning about World War I or anyone who wants a true and interesting perspective on the last crossing of the Lusitania. A word of caution, I would not recommend this book to people who are easily claustrophobic. Larson truly transports the reader into Lusitania and the U-Boats, and there are times when the suspense is intense.