LOSS OF THE TUSCANIA.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16142, 21 February 1918, Page 5

LOSS OF THE TUSCANIA.

"WE WILL TRUST JOHN BULL'S DESTROYERS."' (.From Australian Files.) LONDON, February 7. Tiio Tuscania had a smooth and prosperous passage until the calamity. A gale on Monday night had loft a rough sea on Tuesday. The first intimation of danger was at half-past 4 in tho afternoon, when all the men were ordered on deck with lifebelts, and tho ship's course was sharply altered. She was torpedoed on the starboard sido of the engine-room at 6 o'clock. Many of the troops were below preparing supper. Tho periscope of the I;-boat was not seen; but a hissing sound was heard immediately before the explosion. The ship was instantly disabled, and the lights went out. The order rang out for tho troops to go to the boat stations and get the lifeboats out. A second torpedo missed. Naturally there was some confusion, but no panic the troops behaving splendidly. Taey hastened to boat stations. Some of the boats were blown up and others tangled, in the tackle, faulty handling of the boats throwing a number of men into the water. _ lJeforo some aboard had grasped tho situation eight British destroyers dashed alongside. S.O.S. soon brought patrols and_ other craft to assist in tho rescue, which -was difficult owing to the heavy list to starboard. The only two women aboard wont down a ropo into the first lifeboat. An American officer states that while tho ship was sinking he was uncertain whether to go to tho lifeboat. The sailors' cry—"We will trust John Bull's destroyers''—decided him to stick to the ship. Tho other ships of the convoy got through safely. "The Huns succeeded in getting, a fraction of our fine follows," he said, "but they have put the iron into our souls, and wo will ropay." Other accounts state that the ship immediately listed to 6tarboard tremendously, and that eight lifeboats on that side were blown uj» or useless. The troops and the British crew lined the decks at attention, singing "My j Country, 'Tis of Thee," and "God Save the King." Numbers of survivors were suffering from shock, exposure and hurts: Some had boon two hours in the water, and were naked when landed. A willing band of helpers, nurses, and doctors made them comfortable. The men soon recovered their spirits, and relatod their harrowing experiences and miraculous escapes. Forty had jumped into a boat, which filled and sank and two survivors floated for three hours on an oar and a plank. An English stoker recorded it as his fifth time torpedoed. He was lifted on top of the engine by the inrush of | water but clung to the ladder and scrambled on deck, dived, and was saved. > Five were found lashed to a raft, three of them dead and two in a precarious condition. The flinging over of collapsible rafts killed a number struggling in the water. The survivors have been taken to Glasgow. Some were, six hours afloat on the rafts before being picked up, several dying from oxposure. Almost all the American officers wore saved. Ihe Tuscania was the first inbound American transport to ho sunk. American officials in London consider that the escort is as safe and efficient as humanly possible. The outstanding feeling is thankfulness that the losses jverc not much greater, the low figures indicating fine discipline and courage, and wisoj quick handling of the situav , tion.

Mr Pnpo (American Ambassador) telegraphed to the Lor 3 Mayor of Belfast, tnanking him and tho people for their ready help.

A "Washington despatch says that official advices as to the torpedoing state that it occurred north of itathlin Island. Tno sinking docs not affoct the official opinion that the U-boats are being mastered. Thero is reliable information that their number is dwindling. Early in the winter there wore only from 12 to 18 in the barred zone. Their production is decreasing,-and it is believed that fewer than 80 large submarines are now operating.

The New York newspapers comment soberly on tho occurrence, and reflect the sterner resolvo to utilise the nation's entire resources to defeat Germany.

"The New York Herald" asks: — ''Who informed the Germans of the departure of the Tuscania? America is honeycombed with spies. When -n-ill the hangings begin?"