LOSS OF THE TRANSYLVANIA

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, Issue LXXII, 28 May 1917, Page 5

LOSS OF THE TRANSYLVANIA

HEROIC BEHAVIOUR OF TROOPS

LONDON, May 25. Survivors of the Transylvania relate that the vessel was torpedoed at ten o'clock in the morning. A terrific explosion killed many of the men in the engine-room and bunkers. The troops were parading on deck, and behaved splendidly. They remained on parade and served the lines. The nurses acted heroically. While they were being lowered into the boats one of them called out "Give us a song, boys," and the soldiers responded with "Tipperary" and "Take me back to Blighty." Destroyers raced to the rescue. While the rescue was proceeding a second torpedo struck a boat just lowered, and blew it sky-high. The Transylvania listing, many jumped into the sea, and were dragged into the boats, all of which were half-full of water. It was impossible to row ashore owing to the heavy sea. Every available inch of the destroyers was crowded with survivors. Efelp from the shore came at four o'clock. The Transylvania sank in fifty minutes. The 150 soldiers whom it was impossible to rescue stood to attention on deck as the vessel sank beneath them. Captain Brenell remained till the decks were awash, and then dived into the sea. He was rescued, but died later.