SINKING OF THE SOUTHLAND

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2625, 22 November 1915, Page 6

SINKING OF THE SOUTHLAND

GRAPHIC DETAILS

"AUSTRALIA W ILL BE THERE

By Telesrauli—Pr<»a AESociiition-OoDyrighl (Rec. November 21, 4 p.m.) ' Sydney, November 21. Iho censor has released tho following story.of a subaltern wlio was aboard the Southland when sho was torpedoed, dated London, November 13:— Suddenly, at 10 o'clock in the mornmg, ttie-sentry shouted: 'My God 1 A torpedo. AVe watched the lino of death .getting nearer until tho crash, and the old ship reeled. Then an order was heard .as the ship was sinking to abandon the ship. Without a cry or, sign of fear or more hurry than a unsk march and the singing of " Australia Will Be Thore," tho orders were earned out. I cannot say how magnijicent they were when, they went to r tlie boat's in an orderly, careful manner, and took their, specified places, tho -injured men soing first. •

mother subaltern went round tne ship collecting the injured, opening tho oars, and smashing all spirits, in case of panic, and after a thorough search we returned, and helped to lower the boats, and left with the last with the General and stafi. # "QT 1600 soldiers aboard, wo lost only one officer and 36, of whom 12 were killed ;by the explosion. • We lost Brigadier-Colonel Linton, who was a fine man.

"I should like to write to every paper to say that never can men have faced death or shown greater courage, more nobility, and a braver front than -lie Australians and New Zealanders aboard tho Southland."- Ho likens them to;tho marines aboard the 'Birkenhead, and adds: "They sang 'Australia. Will Be There,' and, by God, they were! Wo knew them to bo brave in a ohairge, now we know they are heroes. Long may they live in honour and glory, the meiv of the 21st and 23rd Australian Infantry."

another account,

VOLUNTEER STOKERS

(Roc. November 21, 4.20 p.m.) London, NovemW 20. An Australian soldier, describing Ji 8^ cillg Southland, • states that there were two thousand men aboard. The vessel wa-s torpedoed just before' morning inspection, the men wore already for parade on the decks, and fell in. The company nearest the boats got away quickly and quietly. The other, companies .waited ' quietly four deep, with their packs at their feet. There was no noise whatever, some began .to take off their boots and coats, others smoked, and joked. When Hie last boat got away the captain thought he; could beach the ship, and oailed for volunteer stokers. Ten soldiers, including a lieutenant, returned stripped, except for breeches and boots, went below and . bad to raise steam from eighty pounds to two hundred.