Page:The Lusitania's Last Voyage (lusitaniaslastvo00lauriala).djvu/159

 to be swung out. He had ordered all bulkhead doors to be closed except such as were required to be kept open in order to work the ship. These orders had been carried out. The portholes were also closed. The lookout on the ship was doubled—two men being sent to the crow's nest and two to the eyes of the ship. Two officers were on the bridge and a quartermaster was on either side with instructions to look out for submarines. Orders were also sent to the engine-room between noon and two of the 7th to keep the steam pressure very high in case of emergency and to give the vessel all possible speed if the telephone from the bridge should ring.

Up to 8 on the morning of the 7th the speed on the voyage had been maintained at 21 knots. At 8 the speed was reduced to 18 knots. The object of this reduction was to secure the ship's arrival out-