STORY OF THE ATTACK

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2560, 7 September 1915, Page 5

STORY OF THE ATTACK

; WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN (Rec. Septembor 6, 11.15 p.m.) ,■ London, September 6. ' The Hesperian wns steaming at sisteen kqots wlien suddenly the cry. ' Submarine on starboard quarter! startled the passengers who were promenading the ■ decks after, dinner. The scout had scarcely reached tho bridgo when an explosion like a cannon shot was heard) and the vessel trembled violently. . , Acolumn of .water'' fifty feet high shot ■up, flooding the deck. Many' people dashed to their cabins -for life- ■ belts. There; was much confusion, but no panic. : . '■: Captain. Maine sent out the wireless " 5.0.5." call, and fired rockets. ; Three warships responded to the call. Lowering the boats in the darkness was difficult, but the sea was like glass, otherwise the' loss of life would have been appalling. One lifeboat capsized, and the occupants were thrown into the water, some of them swimming for fifteen minutes before being picked up. One elderly lady, when picked up was dead from shock. Others, disregarding the boats, slid down ropes or dived into: the water, with 'the. result that sixty people were often crowded in a boat intended to hold forty, with the attendant danger of swamping owing to the overcrowding. While awaiting their Toscue, the passengers were in the best spirits. Some sang "Tipperary," while others sang Lead, Kindly Light,", 5 ' and anxiously awaited 'the expected final plunge of tho Hesperian. The liner remained afloat, sending up rockets. The.first warship arrived at 9.30 p.m., and took tho survivors from the lifeboats, including twelve . Cana-, dian officers and thirty-eight wounded soldiers. . The American Consul has not traced any United States passengers, though some of the crew are American. Til© submarine was within tw<> hundred yards when she launched, her missle, which missed- the engine-room-by twenty feet. ; AMERICAN OPINION By Telegraph—Press . Association-Copyright (Rec. September .7} .'1.15 a.m.) . Washington, September"6. President Wilson and \r Mr; Lansing (Secretary of State) hare refused to comment on the torpedoing of the Hesperian, and are awaiting-details as to whether there were a/iy Americans on board; also confirmation that the Hesperian was not warned. The feeling in official' circles is that relations are. again endangered.