ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 1918, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

A GERMAN RAIDER. LIST OF VICTIMS. A and N.Z. Cable Assn. and Hcuter. Received February 2", 1.5 a.m. London, Feb. 25. The Admiralty, in reference to the report that the auxiliary cruiser Woif had returned after fifteen month;' i rnisavs th il is presumed that f-li» sunk in the Indian and Pacific Oceans the following vessels taking the crews prisoners: Turritella, Juinna '"'.l'Vi 'tli, Dec. Wairnna, Winslow, Beluga, Encore, Matunga, Hitaehiman:, and igiit/iuendi. The Turritella, an unarmed merchantman was captured on February. I!'il7, and equipped for minelaving She shortly afteryards encountered a British warship, when the prize scuttled the Turrite'ia and surrendered. LOSS OF THE TUSCANIA. AMERICAN"S' GALLANTRY. i FAITH IX THE BRITISH NAVY. London, Feb. 12. The Tuscania, an American transport which was recently torpe/oed near the Irish cotvst, was one of a powerful convoy, and had a smooth and prosperous passage until the calamity. The first intimation of danger was at 13d in the afternoon, when all the men ' were ordered on deck with lifebelts, and ! the ship's ccurse was sharply altered. She was torpedoed on t'he starboard side of the engine-room at fi o'clock! Many of tiio troops were below preparing supper. The periscope of the submarine was not seen; tat a hissing sound was heard immediately before the explosion. The ship was instantly disabled, and the 1 lights went out. The order rang out for the troops to ' go to the boat stations and jret. the lifeboats out. A second torpedo missed. Naturally there was some confusion, but no panic, the troops be'having splendidly. They hastened to boat stations. Some of the hoßts were blown up and others tangled in the tackle, faulty handling of the boats throwing a number of men into the water. Before some on board had grasped the situation the destroyers dashed alongside. The S.O.S, soon brought iwtrols and other craft to assist in the rescue, w'liich was difficult, owing to the heavy list, to starboard. The only two women on board went down a rope into the first lifeboat. WE WILL REPAY. ■ An American officer states that while the ship was sinking 1 lie was uncertain whether to pa to the lifeboat. The sailors' crv--"\Vc will trust John Bull's destroyers'—decided him to stick to the ship. The other rfiips of the convoy got through siifely. "The Germans succeeded in getting a fraction of our fine fellows," he said, ''but. they have put the. iron into our souls and we will repay." Other accounts state that the ship immediately listed to starobard tremendously, and that eight lifeboats on that side were blown up or useless. The troops and the Britisb crew lined the decks at attention, singing "My Country, Tis of Thee." and "God Save the King." Numbers of survivors were suffering from shock, exposure, and hurts. Some had been two hours in the water, and were naked when landed. A willing band of helpers, nurses, and doctors made them comfortable. The men soon recovered their spirts, and related their harrowing experiences and miraculous escapes. FIFTH TIME TORPEDOED. Forty had jumped into a, boat, which filled and sank, and two sut-vivors floated for tliree hour* on an oar and a. plank. An English stoker recorded It as his fifth time torpedoed. He was lifted on top of the engines by the inrush of water, but clung to the ladder and scrambled on deck, dived, and was saved. Five were found lashed to a raft, three of them dead and two in a precarious condition. The flinging over of collapsible rafts killed a number struggling in the water. The survivors have been taken to Glasgow. Some six hours afloat on the rafts before being picked up, several dying from exposure.. Almost all the American officers were saved. The Tuscania was t'ho first inbound American transport to be sunk. American naval officers in London consider that the escort is as safe and efficient as humanly possible- The outstanding feeling is thankfulness that the losses wore nr'it much greater, the low figures indicating the fine discipline and courage, and wise, quick handling of the situation. Mr. Page, American Ambassador, telegraphed to the Lord Mayor of Belfast thanking him and the people for their ready help.