ON THE SEA.

Taihape Daily Times, 14 October 1918, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

TORPEDOED LEINSTER. CRUMBLES TO ASHES. LONDON, October 11. The steamer Leinster was struck by a torpedo in the engine room, and a terrible explosion killed numbers of those on board, including seventy people who were in a lifeboat hanging on the davits ready to be launched. Some of them were overturned but rafts saved many. There is no hope of other survivors, as the vessel sank in day- ■ light. Fifty vessels, including naval craft, were soon on the scene. The Leinster was torpedoed forward and heeled over. The crew began to lower lifeboats. A second torpedo, three minutes later, struck tlje engine room and a deafening explosion follower, blowing the funnels into the air and killing the captain. . One of the crew says the steamer seemed to crumble to ashes, and sank in fifteen minutes. There were 630 passengers and 70 of a crew aboard, including a number of women and childen. Most of them were thrown headlong into the water. It was only possible to lower a few boats and these were overcrowded. One filled with water and overturned. A number of survivors were picked up clinging to overturned boats and others got on to rafts cast from the deck. Five hundred of the passengers and crew are missing. SUBMARINES’ MONSTROUS CRIMES. LONDON, October 12. The sinking of the Leinster and the Hiranom-aru are apparently incidents in the new submarine campaign recently inaugurated. There are much larger and more heavily armed U-boats on the routes of American transports. Stories of survivors emphasise that it was nothing short of murder. A high sea was running and rain falling in torrents when the Hiranoniaru was . torpedoed without warning on Saturday night. The seamen hurriedly attempted to launch the boats, but they, were’ smashed against the sides of the vessel. The passengers realised the disaster, and rushed up on deck, to find huge waves sweeping men, women and children into the sea. , Soon a couple of hundred people were fighting for their lives in the waves, piteously •shrieking for help.

The Hiranomaru sank in five minutes, with the captain and all officers. A big explosion finally shattered the vessel. Doors, seats, and other woodwork, loosened by the explosion, were flung into the sea, and served as makeshift rafts, Men and women struggled towards them and hung on desperately despite the high waves. .-The wireless operator continued to send messages until his cabin was flooded, He was unable to escape, and was drowned.' The messages brought an American destroyer, but it was forced to discontinue the rescue work, as the submarine, which was lurking and watching the victims in the water, fired a torpedo against the destroyer. Meanwhile the unfortunates were dropping off the woodwork and drowning every minute. The propeller of the sinking vessel cut a number of people in pieces, and the mutilated bodies were tossed on waves. When the destroyer had scared off the submarine, and was aide to resume the rescue work, the cries of the victims had almost ceased. Only* 29 were alive. The wireless called for help, and fifty vessels of all descriptions quitted Kingstown. Crowds lined the pier awaiting tidings. Two hundred ambulances awaited the survivors. The first rescuing vessels brought 105, and" others brought about 100 also a number of dead. An officer says all would have been saved but for the second torpedo. Only four boats were then afloat. The occupants saw a most terrible spectacle. The ship heavily listed with her propellers out of the water, when she was for the second time struck. The torpedoes track was seen, but no submarine. There was a tremendous explosion, isomc boats and rafts being smashed to matchwood. PERPETRATORS OF THE CRIME SHOULD BE PUNISHED. BEFORE ANY PEACE NOTES ARE ACCEPTED. Received 8.45 a.m. LONDON, Oct 12. The Leinster’s drowned include Canon Downing, leading Dublin Catholic, and Mr, McGarron, ex-president of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Sir E. Carson, writing to the “Morning Post,” says the Government should, before further German Notes are accepted, insist on the perpetrators of the crime being delivered anff brought to justice. This would be the best test of Germany’s bona tides in seeking an armistice. (Continued on page S.)