THE SOUTHLAND INCIDENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1474, 18 November 1915, Page 4

THE SOUTHLAND INCIDENT.

The only other incident of special interest to Australia and New Zealand that has recently occurred relates to the torpedoing of the Southland, formerly a Dutch steamer, by an enemy submarine, about twenty-five miles from Lemnos. The submarine fired two torpedoes, the first taking effect, and the second just missing the stern of the vessel by a few feet. The troopship had on board a new Australian Division and some 35 New Zealanders, the latter being artillery reinforcements. The troops were quickly got into the boats, and, though a number of them were in the water for an hour or more, there was little loss of life. Wireless messages were sent out for assistance, and several vessels responded. Only three New Zealanders lost their lives, one being killed instantaneously by the bursting torpedo, and the other two drowned. The crew at once took to the boats, but some 25 of the colonial troops gallantly went below and stoked the ship into port, where she was beached in a sinking condition. The gallant conduct of these men and the splendid behaviour of the troops generally was worthy of the best traditions of the race, and upon the circumstances becoming known at Aczac, was made the subject of the following special order from Army Corps Headquarters :

“Army Corps Headquarters,

7th September, 1915

“In welcoming the 2nd Australian Division to join the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, the General Officer Commanding, on behalf of all their comrades now serving on the Peninsula, wishes to convey to them our general feeling of admiration for the gallant behaviour of all ranks on board tbe transport Southland, when that vessel was torpedoed on the 2nd Inst. “All troops of the Empire now serving with the Army Corps have heard with pride of the courage and discipline shown at a moment when the nerves of the bravest were liable to be so highly tried. Not only was there not the slightest confusion on the part of the troops, who quietly fell in prepared to meet whatever fate might be in store for them, but later on, when there was a prospect of the Southland being able to make her way under her own steam, and volunteer stokers were called for, men at once came forward for this duty, and successfully helped in getting the Southland into Mudros.

“The 2nd Australian Division knows well the high reputation it has to live up to to carry on the brave deeds done by those who have been here earlier in the campaign, but with men like those on the Southland we are fully assured that our new comrades are going to prove themselves equal in all ways to the old hands who have fought so well.”