MURDEROUS ATTACK BY PIRATE SUBMARINES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2423, 31 March 1915, Page 5

MURDEROUS ATTACK BY PIRATE SUBMARINES

CALLOUS SHOOTING OF SAILORS AND PASSENGERS VINDICTIVE FURY OF THE GERMANS (By Telegraph—Pi-ess Assn.—Copyright.) m , , London, March 29. The steamer Aguila was suuk by the German submarine U2B off Pembrokeshire. TIIO crew was landed. The submarine fired across the Aguila's bows. The Aguila went at full speed, but was soon overtaken. The Germans were angry, and kept up a rapid fire while the crew were launching the boats, killing three aud woundin" several others. ° When one boat, with ten of the crew ' and a lady passenger and a stewardess, was launched, the lady cried, "I'm shot," and fell overboard. Heavy seas capsized the boat, and it is believed that all were drowned. Twenty-six are missing. ' OUTRAGE IN MILFORD HAVEN STRUGGLING CREW. AND PASSENGERS JEERED AT. London, March 29. The steamer Falaba was torpedoed m Milford Haven, South Wales. One hundred and forty of the passengers and 112 of the crew were saved. The Germans laughed when the vessel was torpedoed, but made no attempt at rescue. The captain and two stewardesses and five others were drowned. It is feared that many of those on board were killed by an explosicfli. Prior to the sinking of the Falaba, which was bound for West Africa, the Germans signalled her to get out her boats, but the engine-room was torpedoed before she was able to do so. Three boats were swamped, and the passengers and crew were thrown into the water. The submarine circled round, the crew jeering at their struggles. The Falaba was carrying 147 passengers and 95 of a crew. Ninety-sis of the passengers and 46 of the crew were saved. It is feared that the remainder were drowned. The Eileen Emma, a steam drifter, rescued the majority. There were ten soldiers and several medical men on board. A lieutenant and a corporal are among the dead. FALABA WAS SUNK BY U36. (Reo. March 80, 9.55 p.m.) London, Maroh 30. The Falaba sighted TJ36- at noon on Sunday. The steamer was going at thirteen knots, and the submarine followed like a greyhound. The pirate sent up .a rocket as a signal to stop, and also a wireless message. The submarine came within hailing distance after three-quarters of an hour's chase, and trained her deck gun 011 the Falaba. Captain Davis, seeing 110 chance of cscapo, stopped, and was given ten minutes to launch his boats. Lifebelts were distributed to the passengers, who were getting into the boats in an orderly fashion, when tho submarine, which was then a hundred yards away, her noso pointing midships, launched her torpedo. One of the Falaba's boats was then half-way down the davits, full of passengers. The davits broke, and the boat fell into the water. Many of those on board tho steamer, seeing the torpedo coming, ran forward and escaped. DUTCH STEAMER MINED AND SUNK INCIDENT OFF FLAHBOROUGH HEAD. London, March 29. The Admiralty announces that the Dutch steamer Amstel was mined and sunk off Flamborough. The crew was saved. Tho High Commissioner supplies the following additional details, under date London, March 29, 8.5 p.m.:— "The British steamship Aguila was torpedoed off Pembrokeshire on Saturday; 23 of her crew are missing, 19 landed. "The British steamship Falaba was torpedoed on Sunday in St. George's Channel. Many were killed by a torpedo explosion. One hundred and forty survivors were saved. "The Dutch steamship Amstel was mined 011 Monday off Flamborough. The crew was landed." DESCRIPTION OF THE LOST STEAMERS. Tho Aguila was a vessel of 2114 tons gross, owned bv the Aguila S.S. Company, Ltd. (Yeoward Bros.). The" Falaba was a steel steamer of 4800 tons, built in 1906, and owned bv the Elder Dempster Line, Ltd. The Amstel (853 tons) belongs to P. Van Fs and Co., Rotterdam. "STARBOARD THE lIELM! I'LL GET THE BLIGHTER" HRITIHH SKIPPER TURKS ON HIS EXKMY. London, March 29. Vi'v;l I i, nf ll:r. Hrr-iil CfiUprtllv's •;! n;] In r" j- (\'itv ill' H 'flutes thai iibvu bis \csscl was. off tho SUas, lightship a largo German sub*

marine signalled lier lo stop. Captain Wyatt ignored the order, and sent the City of Brussels along at full speed. The submarino attempted to cross her bows. Captain Wyatt, seeing his -chance, shouted, "Starboard the helm! I'll get the blighter 1" The City of Brussels passed over the spot where the submarine was attempting to submerge herself. Some of tho crew felt a slight shock, and the submarino was not seen afterwards. Captain Wvatt previously commanded the steamer Wrexham, which escaped from L"2B. BIG GERMAN SUBMARINE CHASED BY BRITISH DESTROYERS. Amsterdam, March 29. British destroyers chased a big German submarine between the Maas lightship and Schouwcn. The submarine dived and escaped. CONTRABAND "INSECT POWDER" SEIZED. Melbourne, March 30. Thirty cases of German insect powder, via Norway, have been condemned in the Prize Court.