THE TUSCANIA SUNK.
THE LATEST PARTICULARS
'AUSTRALIAN it N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION']
tßsceirea DM.
The Tuscania was attached to a convoy. She had no warning or sight of the submarine. Just at dusk a torpedo struck her full amidships. Immediately afterwards another passed a stein. The Tuscania took a' big list, and immediately the men were called to their stations, but the list made it impossible for the lifeboats to be properlylowered. Some men jumped ' into the water.
The lowering of the upper lifeboats was responsible for a good many casualties.
The survivors who landed were quickly fitted with clothes and lodged in hotels.
The Tuscania was afloat for four hours before sinking. The rest of the convoy are safe.
Many survivors had never seen the ocean or been aboard a ship until they embarked.
Some worts in the water Iroin six in the evening till one in the morning, clambering aboard rafts and waiting in the inky darkness for rescue at dawn. When the torpedo struck the vessel the life-saving crew immediately ran to their stations, hut the dynamo was blown up, and the lights tailed almost immediately.
The auxiliary lighting plant was put into operation and flares lit every;deck. At first in the darkness succeeding the explosion there was some difficulty of lowering the life boats, the chains being broken and tackle tangled. The soldiers lined up in the darkncs s waiting to get into the-boats. I heir discipline and courage was superb.
The men held on to the nearly perpendicular deck, lowering boat after boat with swiftness and precision. The rapid canting of the liner, however, put many boats out of use.
Rafts of all kinds were tossed overhoard, in order that those flung into the water might have a chance of life. Before some realised what had happened, British destroyers were alongside and took'off the men in perfect order.
One destroyer got five hundred abqard, and was drawing off from the Tuscania when the submarine fired another torpedo, but missed the destroyer.
A sister destroyer immediately dashed off on a bomb dropping enterprise and it claimed the submarine was hit.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HOG19180209.2.32
Bibliographic details
Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1918, Page 4
Word Count
353THE TUSCANIA SUNK. Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1918, Page 4
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