HOW THE PATHFINDER WENT DOWN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15711, 11 September 1914, Page 6

HOW THE PATHFINDER WENT DOWN.

MEN KNOCKED DOWN BY FORCE OF EXPLOSION.

SPLENDID BEHAVIOUR OF MEN AND OFFICERS.

London, September 9.

A member of the crew describes the sinking of the Pathfinder when she struck a mine in the North Sea. The crow were engaged in their ordinary duties when the clash came. The vessel shuddered and rose from end to end. Those in the forepart, where she was struck, had no chance, while the others were knocked down by the force of the explosion.

"Then," says the narrator, "came a moment of horror. All round us was the blackness of night, while wreckage of all kinds came down upon us out of tho smoko and darkness. I ran aft, where the survivors wore busy obeying the officers' commands. The vessel was gradually sinking, and we made the most of our time, throwing overboard anything that would give us a chance of saving life.

" The boats were smashed up, bo we pitched overboard booms, pieces of wood, and gratings, and tried to wrench off the doors, but had no time. Meantime the smoke cleared and we could see only the stern above the water. The sea, which was heavy, was strewn with wreckage.

There was no panic, the officers and men behaving splendidly. The stern began to tilt up, and we then awaited the final order. It came—' Every man for himself 1' Officers and men jumped and clung to the wreckage. Some of the injured were dazed from the shock of the explosion.

" A lieutenant and a chief potty-officer, both strong swimmers, swam among their struggling comrades, carrying pieces of timber to enable the helpless to save themselves. In this way a petty-officer who was himself injured, formed a group of 11, and kept encouraging them till help came. He tried to get them to join him in singing a chorus. One after another four sank out of sight, and when the torpedo-boats rescued the remainder the petty-officer was picked up exhausted."