THE DARDANELLES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 4 November 1915, Page 5

THE DARDANELLES.

A TRYING EXPERIENCE

SINKING OP THE MAJESTIC

DESCRIBED BY ASHMEAD BART-

LETT

(Received Nov. 4, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 3. Mr Ashmead Bartlett, describing his personal experiences on the Majestic, said the vessel was moored close inshore at Cape Helles and protected by a line of transports, but he felt certain the end might come at any moment, because he did not doubt that the submarines which had attacked the Triumph, would return. He laid plans as to what to do in the event of the ship sinking, and kept a lifebelt handy. It was a beautiful bright night, and the sea was as calm as a lake. He want to sleep on deck, but was aroused in the early morning by someone rushing by who trod on him, and he heard a shout that, a torpedo was coming. An %xplosion followed immediately. He heard a heavy, dull sound, and though no shock was felt on deck, the old Majestic jerked to port and remained with a heavy list. There was a noise as if the contents of every pantry in the world had fallen simultaneous! v.

He was disgusted to find that he had forgotten tio inflate his lifebelt and lest! no time in getting away from the ship, which threatened to turn turtle at any moment. A rushing crowd swept him I down the ladder and another rush pushed him c ver the side. He fell on the net shelf and rebounded into the sea and want under. The sea was crowded with men calling for assistance, and he saw a boat packed with men and with others clinging to the gunwale. He swam to this and hung f> the gunwale. He was unable to jiaul Limself in, but a sailor dragged him over. This small cutte^, supposed to hold thirty, had ninety-four on board. The Majestic presented an extraordinary spectiicle and had such a list that men could not stand on deck. She rolled light over, only the ram showing above water when the vessel rested on the sea bottom. As she sank & sailor ran the whole length of the «cccl, sat astride the ram, and was taken off not even wetted. Some of the crew were dragged down in the fatal nets and others were killed by the explosion. The fact that only 50 were lost was due to lifebelts, the smallness of the suction, and the prompt assistance of a crowd of boats.