AMERICAN TRANSPORT SUNK.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 October 1918, Page 5

AMERICAN TRANSPORT SUNK.

BY 'COLLISION WITH STEAMER. • GREAT LOSS OF LIFE. HEROISM Oil A DESTROYER, Received Oct. 13, £.5 p.m. New York, Oct. 11. The New York Times' .Belfast correspondent states that the American transport Otranto collided with the British steamer Kashmir in the North Channel. It is feared that W)0 men have perished. Tiie damage to the steering gear of the Kashmir in a terrific gale caused the collision. Many of the lifeboats were swamped. The survivors were landed at Ulster. It is said that splendid discipline was maintained on the Otranto.— Aus.N.Z. Cable Assoc.

Received Oct. 13, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 12. The Otranto was carrying SOQ passengers, including 745 American troops, when she collided. There were very high seas, and the ship subsequently foundered. The survivors owe their lives to the conspicuous heroism of a British destroyer. One survivor, Mr. Campbell, >an American Y.M.C.A. secretary, says the Kashmir got out of control, through a mishap to "the steering gear, and she struck the Otranto amidships, tearing a large hole. The convoy was then eight miles from the Irish coast. The Otranto steamed slowly for an hour till the inrushing water flooded the engines and she drifted closer to the coastline, which is sheer rocks and cliff, so that it was impossible to beach the ship. The destroyer Mouneey appeared in response to the s.o.s. The sea was so high that Captain Davidson advised her not to attempt to come alongside. Lieut.Commander Craven replied that he was determined to give all succour possible. He manoeuvred the destroyer parallel, and drifted towards the Otranto, where the men, who bad kept cool throughout, were ordered to remove their heavy clothing and prepare to jump. The troops put on lifebelts and obeyed. The destroyer manoeuvred alongside four times, sheering off with the heavy seas each time. A proportion jumped the gap of fifteen feet, but, unfortunately, many missed and were smashed to puip between the vessels, while some just landed on the edge, some clutched the destroyer's rails, and others slipped and fell. Finally twenty men were left on the waterlogged decks, waving for assistance.

The destroyer attempted to return a. fifth time, when a giant wave w?shed off twelve, compelling the destroyer to finally back away. The Otranto shortly afterwards sank. Mr. Campbell warmly praises the heroism of the destroyer's officers and crew, who took chances of almost certain death. The Otranto's officers were similarly gallant and devoted, They insisted on remaining on the ship, and were drowned.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. Received Oct. 13, 5.5 p.m. New York, Oct. 12. The Otranto death roll -is 360, The Admiralty reports that at 11 a.m. on October 0 the armed mercantile cruiser Otranto came into collision with the steamship Kashmir, carrying Americah troops. The weather was very bad. The two ships drifted apart and soon lost sight of each other. The destroyer Mounsey was summoned by wireless, and, bv skilful handling, took off 27 officers, 239 of the" ere ,v, 30 of the United States military ratings and 30 French sailoi*3, landing them at a North Irish port. The Otranto drifted ashore at Islay Island, and became a total wreck.. Sixteen survivors wcro picked up at Islay. It is feared the drowned are as follows: 335 military ranks and ratings, 11 officers, 80 crew. The Kashmir landed troops at a Scottisli port. There were no casualties.— Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter.