A DREADFUL COLLISION

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 49, 14 October 1918, Page 5

A DREADFUL COLLISION

• TT2 AHSP 0R T SMA& li E S INTO TRANSPORT. yTHHILLING STORY OF DF.S- " TROVER’3 RESCUE WORK. SURVIVORS HAD TO JUMP A GAP OF 15 FSE7. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.(Received October 13. 5 p.rri.) LONDON, October 12. The Admiralty reports that thoarined merchant cruiser-Otranto eamo into collision with the steamshipKashmir. Botli were carrying American troops. The weather was very bad and the two ships drifted apart and soon lost sight of each other, A. destroyer was summoned by wireless and bv skillful handling took off 27 officers and 239 of the crew, 30 United States military ratings and 30 French sailors and landed them at a northern Irish port. The Otranto drifted ashore on Islay Island (south of the Firth of Lome) and became a, total wreck. Sixteen survivors were picked up on the island. It is feared that the drowned are as follows: Three hundred and thirty-five of military ranks and ratings. Eleven officers and 75 of the crew, lire Kashmir landed her troops at a Scottish port. There were no casualties.

(Received October 13, 5 p.rn.) LONDON, October 12. The Otranto", was carrying 800 passengers, including 745 American troops. She collided with the Kashmir in very high seas and subsequently foundered. Survivors owe their fives to the conspicuous bravery of a British destroyer. , One survivor, Mr Campoell, an American Y-M.C-.A. secretary, says: The Kashmir got out of control through a mishap to her steering gear She struck the Otranto amidships, tearing a large hole. The convov was then eight miles from the Irish coast. The Otranto steamed slowly for an hour until the inruslring water flooded her engines. She then drifted close to the coa.su line which consisted of sheer roexs and cliffs. It , wax impossible to beach her. The destroyer Mouncey appeared in response to an s.o.sjmc the sea was so high that Captain Davidson advised her not to attempt to come along-side. . , L’eut.-Commander Craven replied that he was determined to give all support possible. He m.ooeuTred the destroyer parallel and dinted towards the" Otranto, where the men, who kept cool throughout, were ordered to remove their heavy clothing and prepare to jump. The troops put on lifebelts and obeyed. * The destroviw manoeuvred alongside four times, sheering off with the heavy seas each time A proportion jumped a gap or fifteen reet, but unfortunately many missed and were smashed to pulp between the two vessels. Some just landed on . o edge and clutehc-d the destroyer’s rails. Others slipped and fell. Finally twenty men were,left on the water-logged decks waving for assistance.

The destroyer attempted to return a nftli time, when a giant wave washed off the twelve, compelling tlie destroyer finally to back away. The Otranto shortly afterwards sank.

Mr. Campbell warmly praised the heroism of the destroyer’s officers and crew, who took chances of almost certain death. The Otranto’s officers were similarly gallant and devoted, and insisted on remaining ou the ship and were drowned.

Australian and N.Z. Gable Association (Received October 13, 5.5 rum). NEW YORK. October 11.

The New York Times’ Belfast correspondent states that the American transport Otranto came into collision with the British steamer Kaslimur in the North Channel and it is feared that nine hundred men perished. Damage to the steering gear of the Kaslimur in a terrific gale caused the collision. Many lifeboats were swamped. Hie survivors were landed at Ulster.

. It is said that splendid discipline was maintained on the Otranto. NEW YORK. October 12. Tlie death roll on the Otranto is 360.