U.S. TROOPER SUNK.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 245, 14 October 1918, Page 4

U.S. TROOPER SUNK.

COLLISION IN HEAVY SEA.

DESTROYER'S GAXLANT RESCUE WORK. HEAVY DEATH ROLL. LONDON*, October 13. The Admiralty announces that at 1] o'clock on the morning of October G the armed mercantile cruiser Otranto came into collision .with the steamship Kashmir. Both were carrying American troops. The weather was very had, and after the collision the two ships drifted apart, soon losing sight of each other.

. The destroyer Mounsey was summoned by wireless, and, by skilftil handling, took off 27 officers, 233 of the crew, 30 United States military ratings, and 30 French sailors, and landed them at a North Irish port.

The Otranto drifted ashore at Islav Island, and became, a total wreck. Sixteen survivors were picked up at Islay. The casualties are .believed to have been heavy. It is feared the followi_T have been eirowned: 335 military rankl and ratings, 11 officers, and 35 members of the crew.

The Kashmir landed her troops at a Scottish port. There were no casualties. (A. and N.Z. and Reuter.)

The Otranto .was carrying SOO passengers, including 745 American troops, when she collided with the Kashmir in very high seas, and subsequently foundered. Tbe survivors owe their lives to the conspicuous heroism of the crew of the British destroyer.

One survivor, Mr. Campbell, an American V.M.C.A. secretary, says that the Kashmir got out of control through a mishap to her steering gear. She struck the Otranto amidships, tearing a lar«e hole in her side. The vessels were then eight miles from the Irish coast. The Otranto steamed slowly for an hour nntil the inrushing water flooderl the ensinea, She drifted closer to the but owing to the sheer rocky cliff it was impossible to beach her.

The destroyer Mounsey appeared in response to the S.O.S. calL The sea was bo high that Captain Davidson, of the Otranto, advised the destroyer not to attempt to come alongside, but LieutCommander Craven replied that he was determined to give all the support possible. He manoeuvred the destroyer into position and allowed her to drift towards the Otranto. The men on the damaged vessel, who kept cool throughout, were ordered to remove their heavy clothing and prepare to jump. The troops pnt on tire-belts and obeyed. The destroyer manoeuvred alongside four times, sheering off -with heavy seas. Each time a proportion of the men jumped the gap of loft separating the vessels. Unfortnnately many missed and were smashed to pulp between the vessels. Some just landed on the edge, some clutched the destroyer's rails, -while others slipped and felL Finally 20 men were left on the water-logged decks, waving for assistance- The destroyer attempted to return the fifth time, when a giant wave washed off 12 of the men, and compelled the destroyer to bact away.

The Otranto shortly afterward* sank.

Mr. Campbell warmly praises the heroisn. of the jJwJjrioyetV-, officeES.-and crerw, who took chances of almost certain death. The Otranto'g officers were similarly gallant and devoted. They insisted on remaining on the ship, and were drowned.— ("Times.*")