TORPEDOED, BUT SAVED.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1918, Page 1

TORPEDOED, BUT SAVED.

CREW’S EXCITING EXPERIENCE.

Fremantle, Feb 5

How a Dutch oil steamer was saved after being torpedoed bjr Germans was related by her captain, who was recently in Fremantle.

“ We were about six hours out of Rotterdam, bound for New York,” he said, “ when we encountered several German torpedo boats. One came alongside the vessel, and the officer, after searching, signed the log and directed ns to anchor at a certain place during the night. We were then allowed to proceed to the indicated spot, but just as we prepared to drop anchor another German destroyer came along and intimated that he was going to escort us to Zeebrugge. “ I protested, against such action, told him what our instructions were, and informed him that we were under the protection of the Imperial German Navy. The German was obstinate, and refused even to send a search party on board. I gave him to understand that I objected to comply with his commands, and he thereupon gave ns five minutes in which to leave the ship.

“ The night was dark, the ship’s lights were extinguished, and there was a fair sea running at the time. Orders were given to take to the boats, but the Chinese members of the crew were bewildered, and couhi not be made to understand thatJii a few minutes the vessel was to be sent to the bottom. The consequence was that the given time expired, and the torpedo, was fired while we were still on deck. “ There was a tremendous explosion, and the torpedo tore a gaping hole amidships, taking away three tanks.

“Our would-be destroyer then left us to our fate, and we got into the boats as quickty as possible. With great difficulty I kept our lifeboat as close to the vessel as I could, and stood by ior seven hours. “ When day broke the ship was still afloat. She was a tank vessel; and various water-tight compartments, which had not been damaged, kept her from sinking. There was no sign of German craft, and we decided to board the ship and make an effort to save her. ‘•We found' that the explosion had put our Diesel engines out of gear, so we asked another big Dutch vessel which came along to stand by us until we ascertained whether we could generate propelling power. Towards the afternoon we got the emergency engines going, and headed for Rotterdam where we arrived safely.”