Dead Wake: The Last Crossing Of The Lusitania

William Turner is the Lusitania’s captain during its final voyage in May 1915. Born in 1856, Turner develops a passion for sailing as a young boy, first serving on a crew at the age of eight. As Turner grows older, he serves on various crews, eventually joining the Cunard Steamship Company and working his way up to higher positions within the company. It takes nearly twenty years of working with the Cunard Steamship Company before Turner is given command of the Aleppo in 1903. Turner’s personal life is marked by disappointment. His wife eventually leaves him, moving to Australia with Turner’s two sons. However, Turner finds increasing success by working for the Cunard Steamship Company, and he serves as captains for many of its flagship ocean liners. During his voyages as captain of the Lusitania, Turner “broke all records for speed” (16). Though Turner experienced a handful of accidents during his career, none ever culminated in the death of passengers or crew. Turner is known for his work ethic, but he is notorious for not socializing with passengers, a custom practiced by most of the Cunard Steamship Company’s captains.

After a torpedo hits the Lusitania during its final voyage, Turner remains on board the bridge with his life jacket on.