LOSS OF A TRANSPORT
COLLISION IN A HEAVY SEA
MANY LIVES LOST (Rec. October 12, 5.5 p.m.) New York, October 11. The "Now York Times" Belfast rarresixmdetit states that the American transport Otranto came into collision with the British steamer Kashmir, north-of the Channel. It--is loured that nine hundred men have'-perished. Damage to the steering gear of the ■Kashmir in a terrific gale caused the collision. Many of the lifeboats ivero stamped. Survivors landed at IHster said that splendid discipline was maintained on tho Otranto.—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rcc. October 13, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 11. The Admiralty reports:—"At 11 a.m. on October 6 the armed mercantile .cruiser Ofcranto came into collision with 'the steamship Kashmir. Both were carrying American troops, and the v'eather was very bad. The. two shins drifted apart, and soon lost sight of each other. The destroyer Mouncey was summoned by wireless, and by skilful handling took off 27 officers, 239 of the crew, 30 United States military ratings, and 30 French sailors, and landed them at a north Irish port. Tho Otrauto drifted ashore on Islay Island, and became a-.total wreck. Sixteen survivors were picked up at Islay* The casualties and those feared to be drowned are as follow:—835 of military ranks and ratings, 11 officers, and 85 of the crew. "The Kashmir landed her troops ata Scottish port. There were no casual-ties."—Aus'.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. HEROIC RESCUE WORK . BY A BRITISH DESTROYER. (Rec. October 13, 5.5 p.m.) "' London, October 12. Tho Otranto was carrying eight hundred passengers, including 745 Amen* can troops. The collision occurred in very high seas. The survivors owe their hvoß to the conspicuous heroism of the British destroyer. One survivor, Mr. -Campbell, an American Y.M.C.A. secretary, says the Kashmir got out of control through a mishap to the steering gear. She struck the Otranto amidships, tearing a large hole. The convoy was then eight miles from the Irish coast. The Otranto steamed slowly for an hour till the inrushing water flooded the engines. She drifted closer to the coastline, which is a sheer, rocky cliff. It was impossible to beach |ier. The destroyer Mouncey nppeared in response to the S.O.S. signal. Tho 'sea was ao high that Captain Davidson advised the destroyer not to attempt to come alongside.. Lieutenant-Commander Craven replied that he was determined to give all the support possible. Hβ manoeuvred the destroyer parallel with, and drifted towards, the Otranto, where tho men who kept cool throughout were ordered to remove their heavy clothing and prepare to jump. The troops put on lifebelts and obeyed. The destroyer manoeuvred alongside four times, sheering off with the heavy seas. Each time a proportion jumped the gap of fifteen feet.. Unfortunately many mjssed and wore smashed to pulp between the vessels. Some just landed on tho edge, some clutched the destroyer's rails, and others slipped and fell. Finally, twenty men were left on tho waterlogged jdecks waving for assistance. The destroyer attempted to return a fifth time, when a giant wave washed off twelve, compelling the destroyer {'rally to back away. The Otranto shortly afterwards sank.
Mr. , Campbell warmly praisos the heroism of.the destroyer's officers and crew, who took chances of nJinost certain death. The Otranto's officers wore similarly gallant and , devoted and insisted on remaining on the ship, and were drowned.—"The Times."
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Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 16, 14 October 1918, Page 6
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550LOSS OF A TRANSPORT Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 16, 14 October 1918, Page 6
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