LORD KITCHENER.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1916, Page 5

LORD KITCHENER.

THE HAMPSHIRE. SURVIVORS' HARDSHIPS. London, June fl. The survivors of the Hampshire had terrible experiences. When the rafts were launched the sens were so heavy that they completely enveloped the Hampshire. The rafts came ashore five miles from the wreck. The first intimation the islanders had was when the seamen, in an exhausted state, tottered into a farmhouse. They were incoherent from -exhaustion, but the farmer believed that a patrol boat sank. Later the full extent of the disaster will be known. Ten of the twelve rescued men are now recovering. Several rafts were flung into the creystsses of the rocky coast. The task of recovering the dead is hazardous. The bodies are hoisted over the face of cliffs with ropes.

THE WAR LORD AND STAFF GOT 3LEAR. BUT BOAT IS SWAMPED. Received June 11, 5.5 p.m. London, June 10. A patrol vessel has reported that the Hampshire was afire about 90 minutes after she left the Orkneys, and sank within twenty minutes. Seventy or eighty bodies came ashore, a number being still warm. In their desperate efforts to claimb the cliffs several bad lost their linger and toe nails and died from exposure. The Daily Express states that Lord Kitchener and his staff got clear of the wreck in a ship's boat, which was swamped in the terrific sea. ADMIRAL JELLICOE'S RBPOfiT. VESSEL STRUCK A JUNE. TERRIFIC SEAS RAGING. An Admiralty report states that Admiral Jellicoe reports it is now established that the Hampshire struck a mine about eight in the evening. Two destroyers had accompanied the Hampshire until the captain was compelled to detaeh them about seven in the evening, owing to very heavy seas. According to statements of the few survivors, the explosion occurred shortly before eight, and the vessel sank iii ten minutes. All vessels sent to thescene were ordered to search for and assist the four boats seen to leave the ship. Despite all efforts, Admiral Jellicoe, with the deepest regret, concludes that there is no doubt that the boats were wrecked in the heavy sea on a lee shore, and beyond the twelve survivors from the raft all hope must be abandoned. SERVICE AT CAPETOWN. Received June 11, 5.5 p.m. Capetown, June 10. Twenty-live thousand attended the Kitchener memorial service outside the Johannesburg Town Hall, General Botha and members of the Cabinet' attended the service at Capetown Cathedral. COLONEL FITZGERALD'S FUNERAL. Received June 11, 5.5 p.m. London, June 10. Lieut.-Colonel Fitzgerald's body was removed from the Orkneys and buried at Eastbourne. There was a great demonstration. Several Royalties, Earl Derby, and several French, Russians, and Italian officers accompanied the mourners. The proceedings were most impressive.