DIFFICULT RESCUE WORK ON THE WARILDA.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 187, 7 August 1918, Page 5

DIFFICULT RESCUE WORK ON THE WARILDA.

BLIND PATIENTS WASHED OFF THEIR FEET AND DROWNED.

(Received 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, August G. The rescue work from the hospital ship Warilda was extremely difficult and hazardous owing to an explosion carrying away one of the leading companionways. The eye ward was smashed to hits, and it was almost impossible to succour the blinded and semi-blind men, who groped about in the darkness in the swirling waters until carried off their fc?t and drowned. In addition to the wounded men, there was a full medical complement aboard and also a number of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, of whom the commandant was killed. Survivors arriving at a southern port presented a pitiable sight. Many were covered only by blankets until they reached a depot where seamen's outfitters awaited them with a pile of clothes. (A. and N.Z. Cable.) Seamen aboard said that it was impossible to fully realise the terrible sufferings of the wounded during their hasty removal, their helpless anxiety making it difficult to keep cheerful amidst the general confusion. When it is remembered how even the slightest movement seemed to cause pain as they were gently placed aboard on Friday, it was marvellous how bravely they bore up under their midnight experiences. It would have been the height of folly to use lights, therefore the transference was undertaken under maximum difficulties. There was no panic, but accidents were bound to hnppcn. One or two boats overturned while being launched, and the crippled occupants struggled in the water until picked up. The captain remained on the bridge until the last. The torpedo crashed in the starboard 'side, smashing the engines and dynamos and stopping the machinery immediately. _ Eye-witnesse6 pay a warm tribute to the Army Medical Corps' rescue work, everyone strictly following the orders "wounded first." Glorious bravery was displayed by small parties who continually went below and reappeared carrying wounded, although they never knew when the vessel would take her final plunge. When every movable case was cleared the captain called for volunteers to remain and listen in the darkness for a short time for cries for help. Ten gallant mcn;promptly stepped forward and searched the vessel from end to end as faT as her sinking condition permitted. The missing include Mrs. Violet Long, Deputy Chief Controller of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, who was one of the founders of the movement. The survivors of the Warilda express regret that the vessel for the first time for two years carried no German wounded or prisoners. It is stated that at least three boats were smashed while being lowered.(A. and N.Z.) SEVEN HUNDRED PATIENTS SAVED FROM SINKING VESSEL. LONDON, August G. The hospital ship Warilda, carrying 800 patients, many of them cot cases, was torpedoed at midnight while on the way to England. Details show that tbe sinking ranks among the worst of the German outrages. She was attacked in mid-channel early on Saturday morning, in black darkness. By the greatest good luck the Warilda was kept afloat long enough to allow the great majority of the patients to be transferred to lifeboats and later to destroyers which arrived promptly on the scene. The torpedo destroyed one ward entirely. Latest reports state that between 90 and 100 were drowned in one ward owing to the inrush of water and to the ship listing seriously. Rescue work was smartly carried out. A member of the crew states that nearly all were asleep below. The force of the explosion stupefied for a moment the crew on deck. Nevertheless all were quickly at their stations. The worst feature at the outset was that no one knew whether the ship would sink immediately. Everyone did what they could for the helpless soldiers. The vessel floated for about two hours. Survivors are not sure whether the Warilda was twice torpedoed or not. Three of the engineroom staff, including the third engineer, Mr. Milne, and four of the stewards are missing.— (A. and N.Z. and Renter.)