AMERICAN Y.M.C.A. SUPPLY SHIP TORPEDOED

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 190, 1 May 1918, Page 5

AMERICAN Y.M.C.A. SUPPLY SHIP TORPEDOED

London, April 2fl. An American Y.M.C.A. steamer has boon torpedoed. Two hundred and fortyseveii of the survivors havo landed. Thrco lives were lost. The party included Mr. Harry Holmes, of Australia. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . BRITISH, NOT AMERICAN. (Roc April 30, 10.30 p.m.) London, April 20. The Y.M.C.A. steamer was tho British vessel Orissa, not an American. She was torpedoed at night, and her boilers blew up.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . ■FORMER WELLINGTON Y.M.C.A. SECRETARY. (Kcc. May 1, 0.13 a.m.) Sydney, April 30.

Mr. Harry Holmes, mentioned in (ho loss of the Y.M.C.A. steamer, was formerly general secretary of the Y.M.C.A. in Wellington. The latest messages indicate thaj; this steamer was identical with the Ovoiisa. Mr. Harry Holmes, whose fate Iho abpvo cable message docs not decide definitely, was secretary of tho local T.iI.CU. from 1301 lo Mil, during which time Ms energy and ability wero freely recognised. Ho was a finu enthusiast for "eoccor" football, nnd « most able speaker. Ho afterwards became Y.IT.C.A. secretary in South Africa (Johannesburg), and when war broke put General Botha wished Mr. Holmes to go to Europe with tht Soutli African troops. He subsequently • left for England, and for nearly. tlireo years past he has been doing war work, latterly as director of y.SLC.A. work on the British front in Flanders and Northern Franco. Lato last year lie went to America, and nbout Christinns time was married tu Miss Knecht at Dayton, Ohio (Mrs. Hollies is assumed to have been a passenger on tho lorpeflowl steamer); whilst ihere Ifr. .llolincs's services wore commandeered for V.Iif.C.A. work—to tell tho story of wliat tho Red Trianglo is doing at the front— and it is assumed locally that tho etcamer is the outcome of that campaign.