Lost on the Lusitania: The Tragic Story of Annie Kelly

Lost on the LusitaniaThe Tragic Story of Annie Kelly

James M. FarrellUNH Dept. of Communication

Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt:The Most Famous Lusitania Victim

Unknown Except to Her Family

• 3rd Class Passenger• 19 Years Old• Irish Citizen

• Annie Kelly

Annie Kelly of Newgrove

Village of Newbridge, Co. Galway

Annie Kelly, born 1895

9th of 12 Children

5th of 6 Daughters

1901 Census of Ireland

Kellys of Newgrove

1911 Census of Ireland

A Simple Life in Galway

John Kelly’s Immigration, 1910

Mary Kelly’s Immigration, 1911

Delia Kelly’s Immigration, 1912

Letters to Delia

“German Battle Ships”Well Delia I wish to let you know that I had eight pounds from Johnnie yesterday morning but I am afraid it is dangerous to go this time on account of the talks there are of the danger of going on sea. They are all saying I not to attempt to venture & I don’t know anyone yet that will go. They are all putting off till spring as it is only a mere chance to go. So I am writing to Johnnie & I told him as I am telling you. He mentioned in his letter that the German Battle Ships follow the steamers going across from Boston & New York so it must be dangerous. Well Delia I hope to hear from you soon & I am think I wont go until spring for the difference of a few months it would be better make safe. Good Bye for the present

Passage was £8

• 1 GB Pound = $4.70 US• About $38 in 1915 currency • 20 Shillings per Pound. • Old-Age Pension 5 Shillings per

week.– 32 weeks of pension savings

• Irish Female Farm Labor earned less than 4 Shillings per week.– At least 40 weeks of labor savings.

• Johnny was making 30¢ /hour.– 3 weeks wages.

R.M.S. Lusitania

Ticket #3737-1

Outbound UK Passengers

Queenstown (Cobh), Co. Cork

Departed Queenstown 17 April 1915

3rd Class Passage

1st Class Accommodations

Arrival in New York, 24 April 1915

Immigration at Ellis Island

Inspection Card

Immigration Law in 1915

“The following classes of aliens shall be excluded from admission into the United States:

‘Persons likely to become a public charge’ and ‘certified by the examining physician as . . . Physically defective. . . Which may affect the ability of such alien to earn a living’.”

Medical Examination

Immigration Law

“That the physical and mental examination of all arriving aliens shall be made by medical officers of the United States . . . who shall certify for the information of the immigration officers and the boards of special inquiry . . . any and all physical and mental defects.”

Valvular Disease of the Heart

Farm Labor in Ireland

Immigration Law

• “That upon the certificate of a medical officer of the United States Public Health Service to the effect that a rejected alien is helpless from . . . physical disability . . . The master, agent, owner, or consignee of the vessel in which such alien is brought shall be required to return said alien . . .[who] shall . . . be immediately sent back . . . on the vessels bringing them.”

Held for Special Inquiry

Annie’s Last Letter

Written from Ellis Island

Written late April 1915Dear Sister Delia,

Just a line to let you know I am living & all right. I got your card this morning & a letter from Mary. Johnny is into see me for nearly 2 hrs. each day. It was he gave me the letter to day. He got them as he was coming in from Mr. Daly. Mr. Daly sent a wire to Uncle Patk [Brannelly] about the papers. I thought my heart would break, you going without me but I did not care if I knew I would not be sent back. But every one says I will be all right. I was talking to the priest to day after Johnnie leaving. I gave him one of the cards that Uncle Patk sent me. He said I will be all right. What at all came over me to be here let ye not be worrying for me I don’t care if I have not to go back. Poor Johnnie takes me in stuff every day. I feel terrible to think of how everyone is upset. Johnnie was with J. Crowe & Delia if I only could know I would land in Boston I would be happy. Johnnie took me in this notepaper & stamps or I could not write to think I could not tell you or ask you anything. I was so short with you but everyone says I will get out. Good Bye for a day or two, I hope. From Your loving Sister Annie

[Postscript] I am not a bit sick since I came here so don’t be worrying about me. Everyone is doing their best any way. I have a good chance.

Good Bye

Annie’s Brother, Johnny Kelly

Annie’s Uncle, Patrick Brannelly

Immigration Law

“The decision of the appropriate immigration officers, if adverse to the admission of such alien, shall be final, unless reversed on appeal to the Secretary of Labor.”

“That any alien liable to be excluded because likely to become a public charge . . . may, if otherwise admissible, nevertheless be admitted . . . upon giving of a suitable and proper bond.”

Frederic C. HoweCommissioner of Immigration

Port of New York

Powerful Friends

Congressman James Gallivan Mayor James Michael Curley

Mayor Curley’s Telegram

Secretary of Labor William B. Wilson

Ruling on the appeal:

“This is not a bond case as alien’s mother and three brothers and a sister are abroad.”

To Congressman Gallivan:

“her mother is living in Ireland [and there is] no particular hardship involved in deportation.”

Deportation

Lusitania Sailing May 1

Leaving New York, 1 May 1915

German Warning

Berlin’s “War Zone” Decree

Passengers are Warned

Not Taken Seriously

Dire Predictions

Speed, Technology, Arrogance

Capt. William Turner

German Submarine U-20

Capt. Walther Schwieger

Schwieger’s Diary• “Clear bow shot at 700 [meters] . . .

Shot struck starboard side close behind the bridge. An extraordinarily heavy detonation followed, with a very large cloud of smoke (far above the front funnel). A second explosion must have followed that of the torpedo (boiler or coal or powder?). . . . The ship stopped immediately and quickly listed sharply to starboard, sinking deeper by the head at the same time. It appeared as if it would capsize in a short time. Great confusion arose on the ship; some of the boats were swung clear and lowered into the water.”

—From an official translation of Schwieger’s diary

Schwieger’s Diary• “Many people must have lost their heads;

several boats loaded with people rushed downward, struck the water bow or stern first and filled at once. . . . The ship blew off steam; at the bow the name “Lusitania” in golden letters was visible. The funnels were painted black; stern flag not in place. It was running 20 nautical miles. Since it seemed as if the steamer could only remain above water for a short time, went to 24 m. and ran toward the Sea. Nor could I have fired a second torpedo into this swarm of people who were trying to save themselves.”

—From an official translation of Schwieger’s diary

German “War Zone”

Old Head of Kinsale

Torpedo Strike

14:10

18 Minutes

Headline News

Headline News

Boston Papers

Some Cause for Hope

Dashed Hopes

Seeking Information

Boston Inquiries

Warnings Recalled

Dramatic Stories

Survivors in Cobh

List of the 1,198 Dead

Public Grief in Cobh

Respect for the Dead

Burials in Mass Graves

Funerals

Boston Evening Transcript: “Sad Case of Irish Girl”

Outrage

German Propaganda

German Medal

“No Contraband” The Great Steamer Lusitania sunk by a German torpedo boat,

7 May, 1915

"U-Boat Danger” & "Business over all".

Commemorative Postcards

Allied Propaganda

Propaganda

Propaganda

Deportation Postscript

Memorial in Cobh

Special Thanks

• Michael Martin, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland.

• Brian Nolan, Aille, Barna, Co. Galway, Ireland

• Thomas Klug, Professor of History– Marygrove College, Detroit, Michigan