Fiolar a similar incident happened in WWII, my father and his apprentice stood on the banks of the clyde and waved to the lads father as she sailed of down the river, she was torpedoed just of Ireland. I wrote this for my dad just before he died. sorry I can't be more helpful on the Lucitania Farewell My SonI waved to you my son My chef's whites gleaming as proudly as my smile I nudged my apprentice "That's my boy" And as we watched you across the water My heart was filled with joy.
At ships rail and on shore we did wave We weren't to know that sunny day That within the cycle of the sun Our war would start and end And one of us would have a sailor's grave.
The great liner sailed on On shore the mighty shipyards thundered 453 growing daily with honest toil Rivets flying, hammers ringing, little knowing For one of us the war would soon be done.
And on the liner, ladies danced sequinned gowned Men black as hell fed hungry fires Diamonds of sweat their only adornment A gong calling passengers to dinner Soon all would be drowned.
Death stalked round Eire's shore Silent streak towards the mighty hull Ripping into her side, tearing at her life Explosive sound, screams of trapped and dying Stench of burning flesh. She is no more.
Still the shipyards thunder on 453 a silent shadow now waiting in the wings The unborn ghost of Liners yet to come Waiting till men may safely sail round Erie's shore She will not go where I have gone Farewell my son