THE SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1917, Page 5

THE SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN.

AUSTRALIAN TRANSPORT SUNIt. ' NO LIVES LOST. r~V " .Melbourne, April 28. fflfr Hughes has announced that the Messier Ballaiat was torpedoed and Iftiwc at the entrance to the English Channel on April 25. All the troops and Crew were saved. FURTHER DETAILS. Perfect order maintained. FAM ATTE MPT TO BEACH VESSEL. Received April 29, 6.5 p.m. London, April 28. Detail of the sinking of the l'allarat show that the troops aboard were practically all Victorian reinforcements. Owing to the use of bad coal, the vessel's ■peed was reduced, and the coal also .paused a.large beacon flame above the tunnel. The men ascribe the torpedoing to these factors. They were mustering on deck for the Anzac Day celebration when a torpedo was seen approaching. The vessel was swim:; and attempted to evade the impact, tat mas too late, and she quicJcry settled at the ttern. Tho bugle called the men to their stations, and inside of four minutes everything wag ready to abandon the ship. The parade was marked by the absolute calmness and cheeriness of the men|. who Were singing as they took their places. All were wearing lifebelts. The day was flue and the sea calm. To the calls of the officers to keep steady, the men replied: "It's all right, air, we are all right." Nino boats were lowered, the men carrying thoir pets, and singinsr in unison, "Australia will he there." Then the engineer reported he mas able to proceed With the remaining propellor, and the boats were recalled, Volunteers were tasked for the stokehold, and hundreds Volunteered. 40 being selected, hut were bob allowed to go below, as the water Was steadily gaining. As the ship appeared to he settling, the men were reformed at their stations and ordered to board two trawlers which had arrived to telke transhipment of the troops. ■Some of the crews were quickly competed, the.majority being without their kits, and some only partially dressed, the kjfficers not allowing the men to break their ranks to secure their belongings. The only casualty arising out of the torpedoing was a private's shoulder was broken by flying splinters. Everybody had a great reception' on landing. A number of vessels quickly responded to the Ballarat's wireless. The vessel was in tow, but sank before the could be beached. SUBMARINE BOMBARDS HARBOR WORKS. JL. & N.Z. Cable Association and Keuter. Received April 2D, 5.5 p.m. , 1 ! London, April .28. A Berlin official message states Ijhat it German submarine successfully. bombarded the harbor .works at Algeria, an important centre for enemy transports loading. A bridge was destroyed, and another was badly damaged.