Second Edition On the Sea

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 1, 25 November 1916, Page 6

Second Edition On the Sea

CRIME OF THE BRITANNIC. SURVIVORS LAND AT PIRAEUS. CAUSE; DUE TO TORPEDO. DIRTY GERMAN TRICK WITH "S.Q.S." ATTEMPT ;TO' PREVENT' HELP REACHING VICTIMS. -Press Association—Copyright;- AustraHan find N.Z. Cable Association.' *(Ree«ive3 12.35 p.m.) "November 24.? One hundred and fifty survivors - from the Britannic landed at Piraeus. The vessel was torpedoed While the members of the Royal Medical Corps and the nurses were at breakfast. The boats were quHckly swung out, but after twenty minutes the work became difficult, owing to the heavy lists. Despite special appliances, the three first boats launched caught the screws and were .cut,to, pieces, most of the occupants., Some, .of the crew by the explosion, and their meaiislof egress from , the forward cut off. ' The two navigating officers on deck state that they saw .the 1 wake of two torpedoes. The captain is also convinced the loss was due to. torpedoes. •After the- disaster, the Britannic's wireless, officials sent out an ."5.0.5." call, and a neighbouring destroyer received it and replied:.,"We are hastening to the rescue," but the destroyer received a countermanding signal. This was given out by the German submarine in a dastardly attempt *to stop help reaching the victims. -The destroyer momentarily turned baqk, but discovered the cowardly - trick when further urgent calls were received. It was the vessel's sixth voyage us ,a hospital ship. At the time of the explosion she was at the rate of. twelve .Knots per hour. ? . t Tho explosion accouned. for many deaths. ' The. engines were unharmed,' ami the-captain tried to beach the Britannic,; until the forward ;;dip-> was too pronounped. ". ' Thirty.boats were afloat before the list prevented the proper launching of ;the v rest.