THE TORPEDOED TRANSPORT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2619, 15 November 1915, Page 5

THE TORPEDOED TRANSPORT

.MORE ABOUT THE SOUTHLAND. VOLUNTEER STOKERS TO THE RESCUE. Mr. Malcolm Ross, official correspondent with the New Zealand Forces in Gallipoli, refers to the torpedoing of the transport Southland in his latest dispatch: "The Southland, formerly a Dutch steamer, was hit by an enemy submarine about twenty-five miles from Lemnos. The submarine fired two torpedoes, tho first taking effect and the second just missing the stern of v the vessel by a few feet. The troopship had on board a new Australian Division and some 35 New Zealnnders, the latter being artillery reinforcements. The troops were quickly got into the boats, a.nd, though a number of them were in the water for an hour or more, there was little loss of life. Wireless messages were sent out for assistance, and several vessels responded. Only three New Zealandors lost their lives, one being killed instantaneously by : the bursting torpedo, and . the other two drowned. The crew at once took to the boats, but some 25 of the colonial troops gallantly went below and stoked the ship into port, where she was beached in a sinking condition. The gallant conduct of those men and the splendid behaviour of the troops generally was worthy of the best traditions of the raco ; and, upon the circumstances becoming known at Anzac, was made the subject of the following special order from Army Corps' Headquarters:— "Army Corps Headquarters, "September 7, 1915. "In welcoming the 2nd Australian Division to join the Australian and New Zealand Army. Corps, tho General Officer Commanding, on behalf of all their comrados now serving on tho Peninsula, wishes to convey to them our genera] feeling of admiration for tho gallant behaviour of all ranks on board the transport Southland, when that vessel •was torpedoed on September 2.

"All troops of the Empire now serving with tho Army Corps have heard with pride of tho courage and discipline shown at a moment when the nerves of the bravest were liable to be so highly tried. Not only was there not the slightest confusion on the part of the troops, who quiotly fell in prepared to meet whatever fate might bo in store for them, but later on, when there was a prospect of the Southland being able to make her way under her own steam, and volunteer stokers were called for, 'men at once came forward for this duty, and successfully helped in getting tho Southland into Mudros.

"Tho 2nd Australian Division knows well the high reputation it has to live up to to carry on tho brave deeds dono by those who have been here earlier in the campaign, but with men like those on the Southland we- are fully assured that our now comrades are going to prove themselves equal in all ways' to the old hands who liavo fought so well."