ON THE TORPEDOED MAJESTIC

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2611, 5 November 1915, Page 5

ON THE TORPEDOED MAJESTIC

HOW THE BAHLESHIP WENT DOWN

MR. ASHMEAD BAUTLETT'S

EXPERIENCE

Br Telegraph—Preßß Association—Copyrliht London, November 3. Mr. Ashmead. Bartlctt, describing his personal experiences on tlio battleship Majestic, sunk by a submarine during tho. Dardanelles operations-,. says the vessel was moored close inshoro at Capo Helles, and protected by a line of transports, but ho felt certain that the end would come at any moment, because he had no doubt the submarines which had attacked the Triumph would return. He laid his plans what to do' in the event of the ship sinking,' and kept a lifebelt handy. It was a beautiful bright night, and the sea was as calm as a lake. He went to sleep 01 the deck, and was( aroused early in the morning by someone rushing by who trod on him, and shouted, "There is a torpedo coming!" An explosion followed immediately. He hoard a heavy, dull sound. There was no shock on the deck, but the old Majestic jerked portward, and remained with a heavy list. There was a noise as if the contents of every pantry in the world had fallen simultaneously. ■He was disgusted to find' that he had forgotten to inflate his lifebelt, but lost no time in trying to get away from the ship, which threatened to turn turtle at any momont. A rushing crowd swept him down the ladder, and another rush put him over the side. He fell on the net shelf, rebounded into the sea, and went under. The sea was crowded with men. calling for assistance. He saw a boat packed with men, and others clinging,to the gunwale. He swam to tho boat, and hung on to the gunwale, being unable to haul himself in. However, a sailor dragged him ovor. The small, cutter was supposed to hold thirty; it had ninety-four on hoard. The Majestic presented on extraordinary spectacle. She had such a list that the men could not stand on the deck, and then rolled right over, only tho ram showing above the water when it rested on the sei bottom. .\s the ship sank, a sailor ran along tho whole length of tho keel and sat astride tho ram. He was taken off, and it was found that ho had riot even been wet ted. Some of the crew were dragged down in the fatal'nets;-others were killed by the explosion. The fact that only fifty men were lost was due to the lifebelts, the smallness of the suction, and the prompt assistance rendered by the crowd of boats.