GRAPHIC DETAILS OF THE SINKING OF THE BLUCHER

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2378, 6 February 1915, Page 7

GRAPHIC DETAILS OF THE SINKING OF THE BLUCHER

THE SHELLS FELL THICK AND FAST TERRIFIC AIR PRESSURE LEFT DEEPEST IMPRESSION (Rec. February 5, 10.45 p.m.) ni in i i i ... ~ London, February 5. the Bluchers wounded, describing the,gun fire, state that the British opened fife at- fifteen kilometers. Some of the shells fell into the sea. raising vast columns of water. "We had a strange fascination, and watched the deadly waterspouts creeping -nearer, then the shells fell thick and fast from tho sky with a horrible, droning hum." The electric plant was soon destroyed, and the ship was in darkness, there was horrible confusion below. The shells plunged through the decks, boring their way to the stokehold, and as the bunkers were half empty, they burnt merrily. Later, the trajectory flattened, and toro holes in the bluchers sides, shells reaching the enginerooms, licked up the oil and spread it aroimd in blue and green flames. Tho men huddled together in the dark compartments, but the shells found them. The terrific air-pressure from explosion in the confined space loft the deepest impression on the survivors. The air seemed to roar at every opening bending iron doors like tinplates, breaking-off fixtures'and converting them into missiles, whirling men about like dead leaves, until they were battered to death against- iron walls. In the engineroom, where tho high-velocity engines for forced draught were, men • were flung to a horrible death midst machinery. As the broad- . sides struck, the Blucher rocked like a cradle. Finally, the bell, which rang for church parade tolled, the survivors crept up the decks, some through shot-holes, and sang "Der "Waclit Am Rhein Permission was then given to Icavo ship. mi lo lvas 310W "'tent, and the destroyers were ready to rescue. Ihe Blucher turned wearily over and disappeared.