In Erik Larson's "Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania," a vivid account captures the harrowing moment when the ship was struck by a massive wave. This wave, compared to a powerful surf corning, overwhelmed everything on deck, including passengers and lifeboats. The imagery portrays a scene of chaos and despair as the wave consumes all in its path.

As the wave engulfs the ship, a collective wail erupts from those affected, expressing the deep anguish and terror felt by hundreds of souls facing their end. Larson effectively conveys the emotional gravity of this tragic moment, making the reader feel the weight of death and loss experienced by those caught in the Lusitania disaster.