FURTHER DETAILS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3575, 9 October 1916, Page 5

FURTHER DETAILS.

THE WESTPOINT WARNED OF HER DANGER.

TWO MORE STEAMERS SUNK

INCLUDING A RED CROSS VESSEL.

I (Received October 9, 2.25 p.to.) '■ NEW YORK, October 8. t Later details show that the Westpoint (which was a vessel of 2413' tons, owned by Furness, Wethy and Co., of Liverpool), was bound from London for Newport News. She had been wanied^ by the British Embassy and was racing to port, when the submariue suddenly, rose up and fired ashot across her bow/

The next information was a wireless message that tho Westpoint was getting boats ready and asking for assistance. - - ■ '■■:■

The United States ■ Navy sent 30 torpedo boats from Newport and Rhode Island. .

Tho crew were given time to 'leave before the vessel was sunk by torpedoes . The officers and, crew saw the ship sunk while they were in the life*, boats. There were no passengers on the Westpoint.

It is also reported that the steamer Strathdene (not the Strathearn) was torpedoed, bujt this is still unconfirmed. Tho Strathdeno was bound from Now York to "Bordeaux.

Tho fact that the submarine waited almost directly in the path of transAtlantic steamers has caused much comment. Apparently it is the beginning of a submarine campaign against Allied shigs in American waters. It is reported that a third British steamer (the St-epano) has been submarined and tho crew picked up by a United States destroyer.

Tho St-epano was a Rt:<3 Cross ship from Canada.