LOSS OF THE MARQUETTE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1915, Page 7

LOSS OF THE MARQUETTE.

NEW ZEALANDER'S STORY. BRAVERY OP THE SISTERS. "NOT A SINGLE SCREAM." SEVEN HOURS IN THE WATER. A graphic narrative of the torpedoing of the transport Marquette in the Aegean Sea when within a few hours' steam of Salonika, on October 23 last, is contained in a letter just received from Sister Jeannie Sinclair, formerly of New Plymouth. Sister Sinclair was a member of the New Zealand hospital unit which was travelling by the ill-fated transport, on which were also a number of English soldiers. With other survivors Sister Sinclair was landed at Salonika, from whence her letter was despatched under date of October 27 last. "I had gone into the smokingroom to write when a friend eatnc and asked me to go for a walk," says the writer. "We walked around the upper deck and then stood looking along forward. We saw a green line coming through the water, and about it, my friend saying, 'I wonder if it is a torpedo.' Then tliero came a bang. It was a torpedo! "We raced for our lifebelts, and then got into line in our Tight places, half on each side. There Was no noise; not a single scream. I cahnot think now how it was that we were so cool and collected. We got into our boat and it reached the sea, but was full of Water. Then a much larger boat was lowered on top of us. I think that that killed some of the others. The men in the top boat pulled two of the nurses in. I fr&i also pulled into it but that boat was full to the top, too. I sat there for a while but the ropes were not free and the ship was coming over.

SUSTAINED BY ©RAVE RESCUER. "One girl ahead of me swam for it, so I followed her example, though I cannot swim mUoh. However, one of the crew was swimming near, and I asked him to give me a tow, whicli he did. It was horrid going past the ship and seeing a large hole open, and all the mules there, and wondering if the vessel would fall theft, and I would be killed. Then we got pa9t the propeller, and saw men clinging on to it, and, ultimately, we were clear of the ship altogether. All I know of the man who saved me is that his name was Josephs, and that he came from London. The second engineer, Bell, was a real man, too. "We floated with boards, lifebuoys, and anything we could catch, for seven hours, but, though it was dreadfully cold, we had no idea that we had been in the water for that time. When I was getting tired, Josephs sat on a board and rested me across his knees. Then he would put his arm across a board and let me rest my chin on his arm. He rested and helped us all such a lot. It was dreadful to see other men going whitey-yellow, and then blue around the nope, moutli and eyes, and a little later going off. We took turns at hanging on to them to try and keep them going. One man, who died early in the morning, floated with us all day. I only saw ,one sister in the water the whole time.

PICKED UP BY FRENCH DESTROYER. "We were picked up at 4 p.m. by a French destroyer, and, my word, they were good to us. The sailors hauled me up the side, and when I got on to the deck my legs were no good to me. The sailors cut off my life-belt, and helped me downstairs, where I was attended to. "We were 30 miles from Salonika when we took to the' water, and at 5 a.m. everyone there knew we had been torpedoed, although the torpedo was not launched until four hours later. They were waiting for us, I think, until we came along! We were with the Royal Field Artillery, which was a corps to carry ammunition. Of course it was the one boat the enemy would like to catch, and they did catch us.

"A certain number of us who are well are to be billeted here in a cotton mill. Sister Cameron, who is still very ill, and Nurse Wright, also ill, are going back to Alexandria. Four girls are going back to look after them, and to buy some elothes for us. CARED FOR ON HOSPITAL SHIPS. "The French destroyer brought us in and put us on a glorious French hospital ship called the Canada, and they were simply splendid to us. They sent us overcoats and slippers to wear on the trip from one boat to the other, and nothing on earth will ever describe their kindness to us- When we got oil board we were given a supper, with hot wine, and then tea, and everything we could Wish for. There were no women on board, but two of the doctors spoke English Well, and I have never had more attention from anyone.

"On being moved from the Canada we were put on an English hospital ship. This boat, the Glantully Castle, which we are still on, is about a mile and a-half from the shore. It is always raining, and there is a thick inist over everything, which usually lifts in the afternoon. The streets of Salonika are cobbled, and covered with slush. There are tramcars, motors, and gharries. The shops are good, but everything is very dear. The matron of the Glantully Castle is English, and most of the sisters are Australians. They have given us all the clothing we need."