THE SUBMARINE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 260, 22 July 1918, Page 5

THE SUBMARINE WAR

LINER CARPATHIA TORPEDOED \ FIVE FIREMEN LOST (Rcc. July 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 19. The Cunard liner Carpathia (13,603 tons), which was outward bound, was torpedoed threo limes on Wednesday, off tho Irish coast, and sank quickly. The only casualties wero five firemen, who are believed to have been killed by the explosion. There were over 2(H) people on board, 57 of them being passengers. Tho first torpedo struck tho vessel just as breakfast was finished. The second struck two minutes later, and exploded near llio en-gine-room. The third shuck the gunners' room. A big explosion followed. A submarine was visible. It was a big twomasted vessel of the latest type. The first torpedo damaged the wireless installation, and it was impossible to call for help. There was no panic, and all wero in the boats within 15 minutes. A warship'rescued the survivors at midday. A sailor says:—"The submarine trained her guns on the boats, and would havo fired, but for the timely arrival of a minesweeper. The,third engineer and tho boiler master, though badly scalded, gallantly stood by the engines long enough to bring the vessel to a standstill, enabling (tie boats to lie launched without delay."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE LOST TRANSPORT BARUNGA

CONVEYING- UNFIT AUSTRALIAN TROOPS HOME. The High Commissioner reports:— London, July 19, 5.40 p.m. An Admiralty report states that the transport Barunga, which was conveying unlit Australian troops homewards, was submarined and sunk on Monday. There were no casualties. THRILLING RESCUE BY DESTROYERS. (Rcc. July 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 13. The discipline aboard the Barunga was perfect. Destroyers carried out thrilling rescues. The Australians displayed the utmost coolness, and sang patriotic songs i ami arranged impromptu races in tho lire-boats.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assti. BRITISH SLOOP TORPEDOED ONLY TWELVE OF CREW SAVED. | (Rec. July 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 19. Tho Admiralty report states:—"A British sloop was torpedoed and sunk on July IG. No officers wero saved, and only twelve of tho crow."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Routcr. U-BOATS OFF AMERICAN COAST ATTACKING TRANS-ATLANTIC SHIPPING. Now York, July 18. German U-boats aro sinking ships oil tho coast. New York, July 19. Several submarines aro attacking transAtlantic shipping. A large vessel has been torpedoed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CRUISER SAN DIEGO SUNK ALL HANDS SAVED. Washington, July 19. The Navy Department announces that tho cruiser San Diego was sunk off the coast. It is believed that thcro was no loss of life. Tho cause of tho sinking is unknown, but it is suggested that tho cruiser ivaa tho victim of n submarine—Aus.-N.Z.' Cablo Assn. > ' I (Rec. July 21, 5.5 p.m.) I Washington, July 20. An official communiquo states that tho members of the crew of tho San Diego aro safe—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. [This is Amevica'B first warship loss in tho war. The San Diego was a big armoured cruiser of 13,680 tons, completed in 1907, and originally named California. Slio had a speed of 22 knots, and was armed with lour 8-inch, fourteen 6-inch, eighteen 3-inch, and twenty smaller guns, as well as machine-guns. Her officers and crmv numbered 529.] life.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. | SURVIVORS' CONFLICTING STORIES i (Rec. July 22, 0.35 a.m.) [ New York, July 20. The remarkable coolness and disciplino on board the San Diego when sinking niado tho rescuing of the oflicera ana crew easy. The ship sank within fifteen minutes after the explosion. Survivors lauded by passing vessels told conflicting stories. Some said the. cruiser was torpedoed and that the gunners fired [ at an object thought to be a perisoopo until the decks were awash. Others said it was nil internal explosion or a mine. Many of tho crew were compelled to jump 'into tho water, because they stayed on board until the ship commenced to settlo down. Olio petty officer took his battle station at tho captain's order when the explosion occurred, and not being ordered to leave stood stiffly to attention wliilo tho ship sank under him. He then swam to a lifeboat. Many hydroplanes, U-boat chasers, and other naval craft iwopt the surrounding seas for a possible lurking U-bu'at. Some members of tho crew said there was loss of life in tho explosion, but the Navy Department reports there was no loss of AMERICAN STEAMER TORPEDOED TEN OF CREW MISSING. New York, July 19. Tho American steamer Wartover htm been torpedoed in European waters. Ten of the crew aro missing.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. | QUEENSLAND CARGTSTEAMER SUNK J Brisbane, July 20. ! Tt is announced that ono of the Queens-' land cargo steamers has been sunk by ! the enemy.—Press Assn. BRITISH SHIPS TRADING TO AUSTRALIA DECREASED TONNAGE DUE TO" LOSSES. Melbourne, „uly 20. An analysis of the pre-war and present fleets of British shipping companies trading with Australia shows a decrease of over 230,01)0 in tonnage duo to lossesPress Assn.