SINKING OF THE TOKOMARU

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2375, 3 February 1915, Page 5

SINKING OF THE TOKOMARU

WIRELESS OPERATOR'S STORY VESSEL SWEPT BY A HUGE SEA (Rec. February 2, 9.5 p.m.) London, February 2. Mr. Harry Bryan, the wireless operator on the Tokomaru (sunk by a German submarine off Havre), states that the submarine's torpedo forced its way through the ship into the coal, where it exploded sideways. Henco it was an hour before the vessel sank, the interval enabling the crew to escape. A dozen French torpedo boats answered the distress call within half an hour. The captain and second officer of the Tokomaru, who were on the bridge, sighted the periscope of the submarine, and a few seconds later a torpedo struck them amidships, carrying away the bulwarks and part of the on the port side. ■ After the explosion, the water swept the deck to tno height of the funnels. . The crew had difficulty in reaching the deck owing to the list, and the water which was pouring down the companionways. The sea around became as black as ink owing to the torpedo penetrating the coal bunkers. Tho crew boarded three boats without mishap, and. are now at the Sailors Home in Aldgate. IRISH SAILINGS DEFERRED. NO FURTHER NEWS OF THE RAIDERS. (Rec. February 3, 0.5 a.m.) London, February 2. There are no further tidings of the submarine raiders. Some sailings to Ireland from Liverpool have been de-. ferred, but commercial men deprecate undue alarm. . It is reported at Liverpool that tne German submarine U2l received a supply of oil on Saturday frcm a. vessel flying the Danish flag, off the North Wales coast.

GERMAN PRESS JUBILANT. Amsterdam, February 1. German newspapers are jubilant over the submarine activity, which is threat, euing to cut of? England s food suppl and to strike at tho root of the transoceanic trade.