Death accompanies the Lusitania Part two

For a brief three months the Lusitania was the world’s biggest liner until the Mauretania was launched - and had made the fastest crossing of the Atlantic in 1906.
The Lusitania, it had been agreed, would be available in times of war, and had gun positions fitted. But no guns were ever fitted to them, although she was carrying war supplies.
The ship was huge, fitted out with lifts, electricity, wireless telegraph, first class and second class lounges, a cafe that could open out onto the deck during fine weather, a grand staircase that took in six floors and smoking rooms.
It was palatial and even its third class - mostly used by immigrants - was considered much better than previous ships.
James Andrew Gardner, his wife Annie and two of their sons Eric and William were on board.
James had been born in Dunedin in 187,1 to Andrew and Sarah. Andrew was considered “a leading light” of the Trinity Methodist Church in Dunedin. James took after his father and became a lay preacher for the church.
He was educated in Dunedin working as a hosiery manufacturer.
He married Annie Gray in 1893 and they had two sons in Dunedin, Leonard and Eric. Then in 1902, James decided to go to Toronto, Canada where he had a business interest in a costume manufacturing company. Their third son William was born there.
In1915, James decided to come back to New Zealand with his family. Leonard had gone on ahead to Nelson.
James, Annie, Eric and William boarded the Lusitania on May 1 heading first for England.
It was just after 2pm when the torpedo hit the ship. Annie fainted and was unable to be brought round and in the frantic rush never left the ship. It seems unlikely James would have left her.
Eric managed to get to a boat only for him to discover the body of their father was lying in the bottom of a lifeboat. He had no idea what had happened to William.
It was at Queenstown, Ireland (now known as Cobh) that survivors came ashore. And it was where Eric was reunited with William. They were orphaned and penniless. Both returned to New Zealand to their older brother Leonard. Eric however enlisted and died in France of his wounds in 1917.
James and Annie are considered lost at sea.​