In "Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania," Erik Larson recounts the harrowing story of the Lusitania's final voyage. One of the most dramatic incidents involved Margaret Gwyer, a young bride from Saskatoon, Canada. As chaos unfolded during the ship's sinking, she was tragically pulled into one of the ship's large funnels, a perilous situation that could have led to her demise.

Miraculously, Margaret's life was spared when a surge of steam from the ship's machinery propelled her back out of the funnel. Although she emerged alive, she was left covered in black soot, a vivid reminder of the disaster swirling around her. This episode highlights the tragic and unpredictable nature of the Lusitania's sinking, illustrating the narrow escapes and grim fates of its passengers.