A COLD-BLOODED CRIME

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3093, 25 May 1917, Page 5

A COLD-BLOODED CRIME

9 .— _ SINKING OF THE BELGIAN BELIEF SHIP STOB-STAD. 'Die Norwegian sleaincr Storstad, a Belgian lt-olief Commission vessel, was sunk by u German submarine iu March last. Though fully aware of the identity of his victim the submarine commander took unusual-precautions to ensure that his work of destruction" was completed. About 10 o'clock on Thursday morning the submarine, invisible from the Storstad though running on the surface, opened a heavy shell fire on the steamer with two deck guns from a distance of four miles, at the same time bearing down on her. Some 12 rounds were fired, after whioh the submarine ■ submerged. She was then but a Rhort distance from the ship,' and mast have seen tho signs ■on the Storstad, which showed her to be a vessel commissioned to convey foodstuffs for the relief of the population of Belgium. On her hull .were painted the Norwegian mercantile flag and tho ship's name under the bridge and on banners on the masts were the ship's name and the official indication of her charter.for Belgian relief, while fvom tho' • masthead hung two signal canvas globes, known to every mercantile and naval officer afloat. Despite these clear indications of her charitable errand, the' submarine' got into position on the Storstad's portside, and, with a part of the conning lower showing above the surface, dispatched a torpedo which struck her just beneath the bridge.

When the submarine submerged after the first gunfire, the crew of the StorBtad, who had Rot into the boats, which wore slung out, thought that she had gone, and were on board when the torpedo struck. All managed to get clear. Captain Endersen being in the last boat. The submarine came alongside the captain's boat, and put a number of questions as to the Storstad's cargo and port of lading. A request that the boats be tnken in tow and convoyed some little distance, owing to the heavy sea running, was refused. As the Storstad was not sinking fast enough to, please the submarine' commander, gunfire was again opened at an angle which caused the 6hells to fall near the rowing boats. - ( This last act clearly demonstrated tho commander's motive, for there ,could then have been not the slightest doubt in his mind as to the ship's status. Tho Storetad disappeared about noon, turning completely over on her starboard side and Kinking by tho head. She was bound from Buenos Aires for Rotterdam with about 9000 tons of grain for the relief of tho" Belgian people.

The boat in. which Captain Eiulersen Kot away «ontaineil, amongst others, the fourth engineer, named Sorensen, and an American fireman, named Johy Roy Christian. Sorensen, the engineer, died of exposure while in the boat, which was rowed for 3G hours beforo being picked up by a patrol boat. Captain Endersen stated that ho was not certain of any other casualties, but he learned on arrival that other survivors had been brought ashore, and that there were two dead amongst theni. Christian, tho United States citizen, is a native of Seattle , (Washington).

The Storstad was a steamer of GO2S tons gross built at Newcastle in 1010, and managed ty A. F. Klaveness and Co., of Christiauia. It will lie remembered that she was in collision with the Canadian Pacific liner Empress of Ireland near Father Point, St. Lawrence River, in thick weather early in the morning of May 29, 1911, with the resuH that the Empress of Ireland sank within a few minutes and 10U persons in the liner were drowned. Captain Kmlersen wns then, in command of. the Hrnrstad. which at the time was employed in the coal trade between Sydney, Capo Brotou Island, Quebec, and Montreal.