THE OKLAHOMA WRECK.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6, 7 January 1914, Page 6

THE OKLAHOMA WRECK.

THE CAPTAIN'S STORY.

FOUR DEAD MEN IN A BOAT.

[BT ELEOTRIO TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT J j. United Tress Association.]

Xew York, January 5

According to a vrireless telegraph message, Captain Graaile, of the Bavaria, lighted the Oklahoma at earl} 1 dawn to-day, flying distress signals. The seas were high and rough. Later, Captain Graafle saw the fore part of the Oklahoma floating on the waves. The other part had gone.

The Bavaria lowered a boat, and six men gallantly fought their way across the waves and seized a rope thrown from the wreck. They rescued eight men, including Captain Gunther. Captain Gunther explained that the ship broke in two early on tne previous day, without warning. Twentytwo of the crew were lost instantly when the afterpart sank, with the stern pointing upwards and the propeller twirling. The lifeboats sank with the ship, so escape was hopeless. A Spanish steamer hove in sight later on Sunday, but. was unable, owing to the high seas, to accomplish anything in the way of assistance. -

A revenue cutter reported that it had picked up one of the Oklahoma's life-boats with four men aboard) dead from exposure. The survivors are unable to account for the vessel's .extraordinary accident.

SURVIVORS PICKED UP.

THE DEATH ROLL, 21.

(Received 10.50 a.m. ) New York, January 6. Six survivors from the steamer Oklahoma have arrived aboard the steamer Gregory, having been picked up while adrift in a lifeboat. The death roll is thorehyreduced to twcnty r one. *

Shipping experts believe that the Oklahoma's breaking in two was due solely to the terrific battering of the seas, and not to an explosion as at first suggested.