On the Sea

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 28, 3 February 1915, Page 5

On the Sea

END OF THE TOKOMARU. CREW’S PERILOUS POSITION. [United Pke#s Absooiation.] London, February 2. The captain and second officer of the Tokomarn were on the bridge, when they sighted the periscope of a submarine. A few seconds later a torpedo struck the Tokomarn amidships, carrying away the bulwark and part of the bridge on the port side. After the explosion the water swept the deck to the height of the funnels. The crew had difficulty in reaching the deck, owing to the list, and to water pouring down the com-panion-ways. The sea became as black as ink, owing to the torpedo penetrating the coal bunkers. The crew boarded three boats without mishap, and are now at' the Sailors’ Home at Aldgate. Harry Bryan, wireless operator on the Tokomarn, states that the torpedo forced its way through the ship into the coal, where it exploded sideways. Hence it was an hour before the steamer sank, enabling the crew to es-

cape. A dozen French torpedoers answered the S.O.S. signal within half an hour. THE TOKOMARU. The Tokomarn was built ;n .1893 by O. Swan and Hunter, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, to the order of R. M. Hudson, and was first named the Westmeath. She made her maiden trip to Australia, and on her arrival hack in London in 1894 was taken over by the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Co. She then made her first trip to New Zealand in 1895, arriving at Wellington on January 18th, under the command cf Captain Maxwell. The Tokomara’s principal dimensions were: Lengoh 125 f t; depth, 23.Cft; breadth 53.2 ft. The registered tonnage was (JOB 4 tons, and speed 12 knots. She was fitted with triple expansion engines of 2SOIJ indicated horse-power, supplied by the Wallsend Slipway Company, Ltd. The holds were fitted to carry about 90,000 carcases of frozen mutton.

Captain F. Green was making his first voyage as master. He was previously chief officer of the Tainni. His officers were;—Chief, Mr F. Kidman; second, Mr F. M. James; third, Mr F. Abbott. Engineers: Chief, Mr 11. Ramsbottom; second, Mr F. B. Ridley; third, Mr R. Bond; fourth, Mr A. Gibson ; fifth, Mr J. H. Shaw ; chief refrigerator, Mr A. W. llidgway; second, Mr J. Montgomery. Chief steward, Mr F. W. Bond. SCARE IN THE IRISH SEA. COMMERCIAL CIRCLES ALARMED London, February 2. There are no further tidings of the submarine. Some sailings between Ireland and Liverpool were deferred, but commercial circles deprecate any undue alarm. It is reported at Liverpool that the submarine U2O received a supply of oil on Saturday from a vessel flying the Danish flag, on the North Wales coast.

BREACH OF INTERNATIONAL LAW. GERMAN CRUISERS IN EUROPEAN WATERS. (Received 8.30 a.m.) Paris, February 2. Le Temps’ Copenhagen correspondent reports that from a trustworthy source he learns that German submarines are cruising in Norwegian waters contrary to international law. It is believed they have depots on soma uninhabited islands off the coast.