In Erik Larson's "Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania," a poignant moment occurs when a passenger witnesses a woman giving birth in the water during the disaster. This scene becomes a haunting memory for a boy, who is left to ponder whether the woman was his mother, adding an emotional depth to the tragedy.

The boy's haunting contemplation illustrates the impact of loss and the tragic uncertainty faced by those involved in maritime disasters. The imagery of a mother giving birth amidst chaos serves as a powerful symbol of life and death, resonating with the themes of survival and the human experience in times of crisis.