SAD STORIES

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20909, 14 September 1939, Page 7

SAD STORIES

SINKING OF ATHENIA EXPERIENCE OF SURVVORS SHOTS FROM SUBMARINE (United Press. Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrltfit) (Received Sept. 14, 11.5 a.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 13 American survivors of the sunken liner Athenia who arrived at Halifax aboard the City of Flint today corroborated that the liner was shelled after being torpedoed. The American newspapers publish at length grim accounts of the torpedoing, with stories of death at sea and privations in open boats. Some of the survivors say that the submarine also tried to upset the lifeboat. Mr C. O. Bowen, of Vancouver, said: “The submarine came up under us and tried to upset No. 1 of the four lifeboats. Later it pulled away and fired at least two shots at the Athenia.” Mrs McMillan, of Wallace, Ontario, an eye-witness of the torpedoing, said: “It was without warning. The hoy in the crow’s-nest shouted out and I looked over the side and saw a periscope 200 yards away and a white streak of foam. Then I heard a crash. I could not get any lifebelts, as the stairs had been blasted away.” Many of the 223 survivors were near collapse after a rough nine-day voyage across the Atlantic on a freighter built to carry few passengers. Women’s hands were blistered from hours of rowing. Passengers Become Hysterical Miss Mary Ilumlong, of Texas, said: “When the sea became rough the night after the rescue the passengers started screaming at every noise, and became hysterical in the holds, some shouting, "We are being torpedoed." Mr John Hayworth, father of a ten-year-old girl who died from head injuries aboard the City of Flint, was the first aboard. His wife ran up and said: "Dear God, John, she’s gone.” The two clung together sobbing, and then were lost in the crowd jamming the decks. STRUCK A MINE GREEK STEAMER SINKB RESCUE OF THE CREW (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlgnt) (Received Sept. 14, 11 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, Sept. 13 The 'Greek steamer Katingo lladjipatera grounded south of Fulsterbo. after the explosion of a mine. The crew was rescued. THE LINER BREMEN SAID TO BE ITALIAN ALLEGED CHANGE OF NATIONALITY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 14, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 13 The Ministry of Information announced that a report has heen published in a Netherlands newspaper that the liner Bremen changed its nationality in mid-Atlantic and “may now he used." The newspaper stated that the Bremen is now Italian and is heading for an Italian port. The Ministry of Information added that it is unable to say whether th£ is true. SUBMARINE BASES ATTEMPTS BY GERMANY ON SOUTH AMERICAN COAST muted Press Assn.—Elec. TU. Copy rum (Received Sept. 14, noon.) LONDON, Sept. 13 Tlie Ministry of Information states that the Government has reason to believe that Germany may attempt to establish air and submarine bases on the coasts of South and Central America. Britain is inviting the latter to make the necessary steps to prevent the violation of their neutrality. NEUTRAL MERCHANTMEN BRITAIN’S RIGHT TO STOP ENFORCEMENT OF CONTROL (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. IJ, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 13 A Ministry ol Information communique draws attention to Britain's right to stop neutral merchantmen on the high seas in order to determine their* character and the nature of the occupation in which they arc engaged. The communique states that the existence of this right is peremptorily required, in order to enforce the control of neutral trade which belligerents are permitted lo exercise. Britain lias received numerous dona*lions from Indian Princes, notably the Maharaja of Morvi £370,uu0.