THE WAR AT SEA

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 118, 15 November 1939, Page 9

THE WAR AT SEA

DESTROYER SUNK

STRUCK A MINE

BRAVE SEAMEN

SINGING IN THE WATER

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) (Received November 15, 9 a.m.) LONDON, November 14. The Admiralty announces that a destroyer, the name of which, was not disclosed, was sunk by a mine. Tugs and drifters picked up and landed more than 70 survivors, who were practically without clothing and covered with oil. One rating is dead, six ratings are missing,, and three officers and twelve were injured. Tugs heard the explosion and rushed to the scene. One tobk the destroyer ifc tow, but the warship soon sank by the stem. Two fishermen in a motor-boat were staged by an explosion and saw the destroyer sinking two miles away. They dashed to the rescue of men who were diving overboard from the decks. The fishermen said that the seamen were clinging to debris* and spars on the oil-covered sea, and some were actually singing. Many were ex-' hausted when pulled into the: boat and several refused assistance until the weaker swimmers were picked up. The fishermen saved. 60 men> including i the captain and two officers, but they had to watch some drown. Thjey took the survivors to a tug. An engineer on a trawler which landed six survivors said that he heard an explosion in the dark. Later 7it grew lighter and'hesa^W the destroyer,, a , tug,7 and several small boats, and. rescued six men, four of 7 whom were on a raft, all perishing with cold. Ambulances and private -cars met the survivors when they came ashore, and some-were taken, to-hospital/ ;