HEROISM OF THE CAPTAIN

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 28, 1 February 1917, Page 7

HEROISM OF THE CAPTAIN

HOPELESS TO SAVE THE VESSEL

(Received February 1, 9.40 a.m.)

LONDON, 31st January

The Lauventic was afloat for forty-five minutes after the explosion, which killed many of those who were lost. Perfect order prevailed throughout, the crew responding to their orders with precision and loyalty. The survivors pay a high tribute to the captain, and say lie was a hero. With an electric torch in his hand he stayed aboard to the last, looking into every corner in case any one should be left behind.., Sometimes he was up to his shoulders, in water. After the explosion an attempt was made to beach the ship. Meanwhile the boats were got ready and rockets were sent up, as the explosion destroyed the wireless. Lighthouse-men saw the rockets, and a number of mine-sweepers were soon speeding to the help of the Laurentic. The liner finally sank in twentythree fathoms. ' , There was accommodation in the lifeboats for all who survived the explosion. Some of the estimates are that there were 475 aboard,, making a death-roll of 350. The Laurentic was manned entirely by Navy ratings. A gaping Jiole j was torn in the side of the ship, and from the first it was seen that it was hopeless to save her. Forty of those injured by the explosion were placed in the boats while the vessel was sinking by the head. t TERROR OP THE FINAL PLUNGE This terror of the scene as she made the final plunge was appalling. Scores flf sailors went down in the vortex and never rose. The sea was dotted .with men making brave but ever-feebler efforts for life. A hundred oodies have already been washed ashore in a frozen condition, which shows that there was no hope for the others who were able to cling to wreckage surviving, in the icy water, which was the coldest experienced in the North o£ ireiand for many years. : SEVEN HOURS IN THE PERISHING COLD It was now pitch dark, and the lifeboats were provided with flares. While these lasted it was possible to locate the small boats in the'waste of water, but the rescuing mine-sweepers had to cover twenty miles. The flares were exhausted before some of the mine-sweepers arrived, making the search a lengthy one. Some men were in one boat seven hours, in ■ perishing cold, before they were rescued. Tho local authorities ashore requisitioned motoi-cars and sent them to the clothing shops to collect coats, trousers, and overcoats. Hundreds of hot-water bottles were filled by the citizens, who also supplied thermos flasks of coffee. •The motors then returned to the coast and distributed relief.