OTRANTO SUNK.

Taihape Daily Times, 15 October 1918, Page 6

OTRANTO SUNK.

KASHMIR REACHES PORT. LONDON, October 12. The Admiralty announces: On the morning of the 10th the armed mercantile cruiser Otranto came into collision with the steamship Kashmir, carrying American troops. The weather was very bad. The two ships drifted apart and soon lost sight of each other. The destroyer Mounsey was summoned by wireless, and by skilful handling, took off 27 officers and 239 crew, 30 United States military ratings, and 30 French sailors and landed them at a North Irish port. The Otranto drifted ashore on Islay Inland and became a total wreck. Sixteen survivors were picked up at Islr.y The casualties, feared drowned, are as follows: 335 military ranks and ratings, 11 officers and 85 crew. The Kashmir landed troops at a Scottish port. There were no casualties. NEW YORK, October 12. The Otranto death roll is 360, LEAP FOR LIFE. LONDON, October 12. The Otranto was carrying 800 passengers, including 745 American troops'

The steamer collided in a very heavy sea, and subsequently foundered. The survivors owe their lives to the conspicuous heroism of a British destroyer

One of the survivors, Campbell, an American Y.M.C.A. secretary, says the Kaishmir got out of control through an mishap to her • steerig gear. She struck the Otranto amidships, tearing a large hole. The convoy was then eight miles from the Irish coast. The Otranto steamed slowly for an hour, until the inrushing water flooded the engines. IShje; drifted closer to the coastline, which was sheer rocks and cliffs, and it was impossible to beach her. The destroyer Mouncey iappeared in response to the S.O.S. The sea was so high that Captain Davidson advised the destroyer not to attempt to come alongside, Lieut-Commander Craven replied that he was determined to give all the support possible. He manoeuvred the destroyer parallel, and drifted towards the Otranto. where the men, who kept cool throughout, were ordered to remove their heavy clothing and prepare to jump. The troops put on lifebelts and obeyed. The destroyer manoeuvred alongside four times, sheering off with the heavy seas each time. A proportion jumped the gap of 15ft. but unfortunately many missed, and were smashed to a pulp between the vessels. Some just landed on the edge, and some clutched the destroyer's rails. Others slipped and fell. Finally twenty men were left on the waterlogged decks, waving for assistance. The destroyer attempted to return a fifth time, when a giant wave washed off twelve of the men compelling the, destroyer finally to back away. The Otranto shortly afterwards sank. Mr Campbell warmly praises the heroism