HOW THE ANGLIA WAS SUNK.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1916, Page 6

HOW THE ANGLIA WAS SUNK.

CAPTAIN'S VIVID STORY. Captain Lionel Jolin Manning, ol tlie hospital ship Anglia, which was blown up in the English Channel with the loss of 85 lives, was the principal witness at an inquest held by the Dover Coroner. He said there were nearly 400 wounded on the ship, 166 bejji'g cot cases and 200 walking cases, At 12.30, when they were about three miles from shore, there was a very loud explosion, apparently under the port side of the bridge. It blew the bridge to splinters, and the captain was flung on to the lower deck. He ran up to the wireless room to order the S.O.S. call to be sent out, but found the operator coming out with blood on his face. He stated that the instrument had been burst to pieces. The captain then went with Chief Officer ■Horier to assist to get »ut tlie boats on the port side, which wis the only side available.

The vessel had a heavy list, and was down by the head very much. They got the first boat away with about 50 people all safe. As the engines were racing the captain went to the bridge to stop them from there, but the gear had been destroyed. Chief Officer Horner went down the weather side of the ship to help Dr. Hodson to get the wounded up, and the captain went along the lee side to do what he could, but the sea was rushing along there. As the vessel sank both the captain and chief officer slid into the sea from the deck. The captain added that he was unconscious when picked up. Botli his own and the chief officer's watches had stopped at 12.50, which was evidently the time the ship sank. In his opinion the sbip was sunk by a mine. The Coroner: I suppose a great number of the cot cases were unable to help themselves ?—Of course. There • were men without legs, some without feet, and others without arms; quite unable to help themselves. The captain identified the body of Richard Roberts, the chief steward, who belonged to Holyhead. The Coroner mentioned that he was only holding inquests on the civilians. In the case of the soldiers he was acting on a request from the Home Office. One man who had died 'at the military hospital had nothing whatever to identify him by. Eight bodies of wounded soldiers had been landed, and two others have died at the hospital. The tragic nature of the catastrophe was remarked upon by the Coroner, England being in sight at the time. He also paid a high tribute to the activity, perseverance and care which resulted in over 300 people being saved in so short a time. The greatest credit was due to all concerned. "Death from drowning owing to an external explosion," was the verdict.