Great Britian
BARTLETT'S EXPERIENCES ON THt MAJESTIC, LUnIXJsu I'KiSSH ABSOCJUriUN.J (-Received 8.45 a.in.) Loudon, November 3.
A fill mead Bartlett, describing his personal experiences on the Majestic, said the vessel was moored close inshore at Cape Hellos, being protected by a line of transports, but he felt certain the end would come any moment, because he did not doubt that the submarines which attacked the Triumph would return. He laid his plans as to what to do in the event of the ship sinking and kept a lifebelt handy, it was a beautiful bright night, and the sea was as calm as a lake. Ho went to sleep on the deck, and was aroused in the early morning, someone rushing by having trod on him. The shout of “torpedo 1” and the coming explosion followed, and he immediately heard a heavy dull sound. There was no shock on deck, but the old Majestic jerked to port and remained with a heavy list, and then there was a noise as if the contents of every pantry in tho world had fallen simultaneously. Bartlett says ho was disgusted to find that ho had forgotten to inflate the lifebelt, but he lost no time in getting away from the ship, which threatened to turn turtle at auy moment. A rushing crowd swept him down the ladder, and another rush pushed him over the side, but he fell on the netshelf and rebounded into the sea and went under. The sea was crowded with men who were calling for assistance. Ho saw a boat packed with men and others dinging to the gunwal. He swam to it and clung to the gunwal, being unable to haul himsell in, but a sailor dragged him over. A small cutter supposed to hold thirty had ninety-four occupants. The Majestic was aa extraordinary spectacle, with such a list that tho men could not stand on the deck. She rolled right over, only tho ram showing above the water, when she rested on the seabottom. As she sank, a sailor ran the whole length of the keel and sat astride the ram, and was taken off, not even being wetted. Some of the crew were dragged down in the fatal nets, and others were killed by the explosion; in fact, only fifty were lost, which was due to the number of lifebelts, the smallness of the suction, and the prompt assistance from a crowd of boats.
HIS MAJESTY’S MESSAGE Tq THE TROOPS. Loudon, .November 2. The King has sent the following message to the troops:— “You have reaped renown equal to the highest traditions of the army, and have baffled an infamous conspiiacy against the law and liberty ol Europe so long and insidiously prepared. Your achievements have involved vast sacrifices, but our countrymen will not spare their efforts to fill the ranks and afford supplies. I have decorated many, and if I decorated all those deserving of recognition it would have been limitless. My whole army is .illustrious, and, 1 sincerely regret that my accident prevented mo from seeing all my troops. My heart is tilled with admiration at their cheerful endurance of the life in the trenches, which is gather weary or monotonous in this terrible tumult. The dogged determination of all ranks will at last bring victory. Keep the goal in sight, and remember, it is the final lap that wins.—(Sgd): George.”
LATEST BULLETIN. London, November 3 (12.40 p,m.) The King’s general condition has improved and ho is able to take solid food. H© had a worse night and has still some pain. EFFECT OF NON-TREATING. (Received 9.5 a.m.) I London, November 3. As the result of non-treating there is a great decrease in drunkenness in Loudon. BRITAIN AND THE OVERSEAS. (Received 9.6 a.m.) , London, November 3'. Commenting on the statement that Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward were coming to England to consult with the Imperial Government, The Times hopes that the representatives’ of other Dominions will also be present. FURTHER VOTE OF CREDIT. (Received 11.20 a.m.) London, November 3. Mr Asquith, announced that a further vote of credit would be asked for next week.
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Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 56, 4 November 1915, Page 8
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690Great Britian Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 56, 4 November 1915, Page 8
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