THE SINKING OF THE LEON GAMBETTA

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2450, 1 May 1915, Page 7

THE SINKING OF THE LEON GAMBETTA

STORY OF THE SUBMARINE ATTACK Rome, 'April 29, Further particulars regarding the disaster to tno. French armoured cruiser Leon Gambetta, which was torpedoed by an 'Austrian submarine, with hrsavj;, loss' of life, show that the cruiser ivaa steaming at seven knots, going to Malta, when the submarine suddenly appeared. The second torpedo exploded, flooding the engine-room and wrecking the djnamos. The ship was left in .darkness. Her wireless apparatus was paralysed, and she was unable to s'gnal for help. The captain headed her for the shore, in the hope of beaching her. Two boats were lowered, but they, capsized, drowning > oil. An Italian patrolling flotilla was oruising near by, and rushed up to the rescue, regardless of the possibility of the submarine mistaking them for French in the darknws. • They found bluejackets clinging to the wreckage, j and others were on rafts constructed or oars and planks. Bear-Admiral Senes went down.- with bis ship. • Except the watch, the crew -were in 1 their sleeping quarters._ Survivors who were picked up wore without clothing. "VIVE LA FRANCE!'* ' . ' j (Reo. 'April 80, 7.30. p.m.) Rome, April "■3O. When the attack was' delivered the weather was oalm, with moonlight. The first torpedo wrecked the • Leon Gambetta's watertight compartments. The officers made no effort to escape- They assembled on the bridge and shouted: "Vive La Franoa I'i