MARY ANN SUTTON is JILL'S 3X GREAT GRANDMOTHER

Sunk by a German Submarine on May 7th, 1915

By Mary Ann Sutton

It is true she has gone, that floating palace grand,

I'll tell you how it happened, that you may understand;

That we have lost that beautiful boat, that was our pride and boast,

And she was used and loved by rich and poor, as she sailed from coast to coast

The Lusitania at her moorings, in New York harbour lay,

The time was early morning, the day the First of May;

Her massive sides showed strength and speed, her colors none too loud,

Truly she was a noble boat, of her we all were proud.

Please keep the gangways dear, was the stewards loud command,

All ashore bawled the sailors, to those going back on land;

Husbands kissed wives and children, lovers were about to part,

For at noon the signal was given, and for England she would start.

It was a cosmopolitan crowd, to sail that day at noon,

People of many nations, filled steerage and saloon;

Tradesmen on business bent, men answering their country’s caIl!,

Whole families going home to stay, were wished Godspeed by all.

At noon they shouted, let her go, the cables quickly rounded,

We’re off, we’re off shouts some aboard, the whistles hoarsely sounded;

Then the great ship, slipped out of the docks, heading for the sea,

The crowd up on the landing stage, cheered long and heartily.

But amongst that crowd were heavy heads, for a rumor was abroad,

That she by torpedoes would be assailed, with two thousand soles on board;

For that cruel GERMAN MONSTER, had decreed it must be so,

And Subs were sent to the ’ IRISH SEA’ to lay in wait below.

What a tower of strength she looked, how majestically she sails,

Yes, she was a "PALACE GRAND' complete in all details; 

Like a city afloat, was that beautiful boat, as she felt New York behind,

None who sailed on her ever thought a watery grave she’d find.

Whole families going home to stay, no more abroad to roam,

Had left the old country years before, to make a western home;

Wives and mothers were crossing the sea, their wounded ones to nurse,

Who had galiantly fought for our freedom, and bravely met reverse.

The engines had been running, now nearly a week,

With only the usual routine, then we saw a welcome streak

Of bright green, then we knew, we were off the 'IRISH COAST’,

And hourly nearing the WAR ZONE’, of which the Germans boast.

That none had forgot tIme German threats, could now be plainly seen,

Far the joking turned to fear, as they searched the waters green;

Men were placed in the 'crows nest , others looked out on deck,

Some sent aft, seeking hostile craft to report the smallest speck.

Friday dawned in all splendor of a glorious summer's day,

Sunshine bathed the ocean, calm and smooth it lay;

We were passing familiar landmarks, at the edge of the Irish Sea,

And everyone was happy, for tomorrow home they would be.

Gallantly she bowed her greeting, as she dipped to the Atlantic swell,

For now we had passed Cape Clear, the head of Kinsale as well;

Only two more hours of steaming, we would reach Queenstown port,

Can it be we are just a target, for those pirates cruel sport.

Captain Turner on the bridge, heard his Officer report,

“There’s a TORPEDO coming for us, by Heavens, we are caught”;

And as he ran to his man, saw it beneath his ship glide,

He ordered the boats lowered level, to the vessels side.

A passenger on deck, was reading a book,

When a friend called to him, there’s a submarine, look;

Just then it rose to the surface, just like a great whale,

Is there any wonder, all who saw it turned pale.

See, see, he cried, she’s taking her aim,

Those cruel German pirates, are playing their game;

And as the torpedo swiftly thru the water slips,

It staggers our boat, we are caught amidships.

Steady, boys, women and children first, save every life you can,

As men gave up their tifebelts, each proved himself a man;

And just at that moment, another shot, had found its deadly mark,

Below was all confusion, the engine room put in the dark.

And as men ran, their duty to do, another one struck the ship,

When the explosion had died away, the boat took an awful list;

T’was a terrible scene we saw, dead and dying everywhere,

Some men clung to rafts and ropes, some grasping for only a chair

Alfred Vanderbilt, stood by the palm saloon, Ronald Denver at his side,

Run and search for all children, and bring them to me he cried;

And with them they ran, two at a bme, and placed them in safety,

And to women near, they gave their belts, true heroes, proved to be.

Greater love hath none, than to give their lives for others,

For in their loss, we all must feel, that we have lost our brothers;

Though both were in their prime, their earthly course is run,

God grant that for their sacrifice, they have earned the great 'WELL DONE’.

That the ship was sinking fast, all now could plainly feel,

Her slanting decks were black, with hundreds near the keel;

How earnestly they prayed, that help from the shore would come,

Some could not speak a word, with horror, they were dumb.

My words fail to describe the horror, you cannot picture the scene,

They had hoped to be home on the morrow, this exceeds their wildest dream;

God comfort those, who suffer in silence, waiting, alas, in vain,

The return of their loved ones, who on earth will never meet again.

They have laid them away on the hillside, resting there in peace,

Until the Eternal morning, and rolling billows cease;

Someone’s Father, Someone’s Mother, Someone’s Sister, sleeping there,

Someone’s Brother, Someone’s Lover, forever free from care.

In a Collision with the Collier Storstad

By Mary Ann Sutton

Twas misty before the dawn of the 29th of May, 

The Empress of Ireland was wending her way;

Bound for the old land - fourteen hundred souls board;

A happy, hopeful, singing crowd who trusted in the Lord.

Few thought as they heard that grand old refrain,

"God be with you till we meet again,"

Before us smite death's threatening wave,

Ere dawn they would find a watery grave.

Quebec left behind; good byes had been said;

Many stayed on deck before going to bed,

Mothers below deck sang their children to sleep, 

Casting their care upon Jesus; He was able to keep.

The Captain was cautious, on the bridge he stayed;

His order 'go slowly' was promptly obeyed.

He sighted a steamer, signaled her, got reply;

Ordered his ship to stop until she passed by.

The Empress lights were burning bright,

So her Captain and crew were free from all blame.

Steaming steadily forward with green headlight

A coal freighted Iron vessel crashing came.

The collier too late tried to steer clear;

She saw her mistake, she had ventured too near.

The Captain did his best the engine to reverse,

But this for the Empress only made matters worse.

As the Storstad withdrew from the Empress' side, 

Fatal damage was done, she was torn open wide.

As the icy water into the boat flowed

Quickly made the Empress' boilers explode.

Captain Kendall quickly flashed S.O.S to the Shore;

Alas! Many aboard would never see it more.

Already for them the last post had been sounded;

For they were aboard when the Empress foundered.

Just what happened after the crash no one seems to know.

Men with children plunged to the depth below.

Mothers clasping their babes leaped into the wave, 

Trusting their Savior's strong arm to save.

Some men jumped with bundles - this was their all;

Some unconscious were rescued; they had a close call.

Many could not swim; their chance it seemed remote -

How they clung to the wreckage to keep them afloat!

Some men were struggling to save their own lives;

Other men tried to save both children and wives.

One little girl lost father and mother;

Some lost father, mother, sister and brother.

Although several children were helped ashore,

Their parents sank - they'll meet on earth no more.

For death's rolling tide has carried their loved ones away - 

This brings the thought home, we may be called to-day.

We read many poor souls never reached the deck.

They were trapped in the berths and sank in the wreck.

We cannot picture the horror of it all;

Let us one and all be ready, tomorrow we may fall.

Only we who have loved and lost know what they feel;

Their hearts are wounded, sore, no earthly aid can heal.

The great Physician is near, you yet may feel His power 

To support and comfort you in this your darkest hour.

In many homes to-day will be the vacant chair;

Many loved ones be missing at the evening prayer,

The house it will be desolate, nearly every member gone;

Leaving sorrowing relatives and friends to mourn.

Some men to-day are lonely and sad;

Bereft of wives, children, all that they had.

We do not know why this should be since God is Love, 

But if submissive to His will they'll meet again above.

The sorrow the Salvation Army feel will be shared o'er all the world;

In every land, 'neath every clime, where'er their flags unfurled 

They do not sorrow without hope; their lives to God were given 

To help to save a dying world that all might go to Heaven.

Valued officers and soldiers have been promoted, too;

They served under the flag, were trusty and true,

Canada loses many of her sons, many of her daughters kind;

We'll do our best to fill the gap their loss has left behind.

We thank God for their lives. What they endured the Master knows;

O'er all the world they now respect the yellow, red and blue.

No matter what their color be, whate'er their faith or creed;

To get their helping hand one has but to prove his need.

Three weeks before two officers of Riverdale were wed;

United 'neath the flag - till death do us part, they said.

In death they are united to-day; they both sleep 

In the St. Lawrence River, so treacherous and deep.

Toronto has not been behind in honoring her dead - 

Cabled sympathy to London to the Army's head.

To headquarters here, speaking for a half million souls or more,

Depend on us to help you as we have done before.

The Arena was thrown open, crowds came with bated breath;

They'll never forget the sight; they were face to face with death.

Children, youth, some in their prime, the middle aged, and grey - 

All clasped in that cold embrace and in their caskets lay.

As the funeral cortege came, fifty thousand bared their head;

Not curiosity drew that crowd, but honor for the dead.

'Twas that touch of nature that makes the whole world kin, they say,

The taking to their long last rest of those who'd passed away.

By Mary Ann Sutton