"Every Man for Himself."

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 20, 10 September 1914, Page 5

"Every Man for Himself."

TRAGIC SUDDENNESS OF THE PATHFINDER'S END. "VESSEL SHUDDERED AND ROSE FROM END TO END." t " (Received 11.15 a.m.) London, September 9. Th« crow of the Pathfinder were engaged in their ordinary duties when the crash came. The vessel shuddered and rose from end to end. Those in the forepart, where she was struck, had no chance. Others w< \* knocked down by the force of the explosion. &■ A member of the crew says: "Then came the moment of ▼'horror. All round us was the blackness of night. Wreckage of all kinds came down upon us out of the smoke and darkness. I ran aft, where the survivors were busy obeying the officers' commands. The vessel was gradually sinking. We made the most of the time b,y throwing overboard anything to give a chance of saving life. .The boats were smashed up, so we pitched overboard booms, pieces of wood and gratings. We tried to wrench off doors, but had no time. In the meantime the smoke cleared and we could see only the stern above the water. The sea, which was heavy, was strewn with wreckage. There was no panic. The officers and men behaved splendidly. The stern began to till up, and we then awaited final orders. It came: "Every man lor himself." The officers and men jumpfi and clung to wreckage. Some were injured, and many dazed by the shock of flic explosion. A lieutenant and the chief petty officer, both strong swimmers, swam among their struggling comrades carrying pieces of timber to enable the helpless to save themselves. In this way the petty officer, who himself was injured, formed a group of eleven, and he kept Encouraging them till help came. He tried to gefThem to join him in singing a chorus. after another four sank out of sight, When (orpedoers rescue! th* remainder the petty officer was picked up exhausted.