DISASTERS AT SEA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16980, 14 October 1918, Page 6

DISASTERS AT SEA.

SINKING OF THE LEINSTER.

TREMENDOUS EXPLOSIONS.

RAFTS AND BOATS SMASHED.

Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. (Rood. 5.5 v.m ) LONDON, Oct. 12. It is officially reported that thero were 780 cm board the Leinster. So far there are 193 survivors.

The .steamer was struck by a torpedo in tho engineroom, and a. terrible explosion killed- numbers of those- on board, including 70 people who were in a lifeboat hanging on the davits ready to be launched. A few other boats were launched. Some of their, were overturned, but rafts saved many people.. There is no hope of other survivors, as tho vessel sank in daylight.

Wireless rails for help were sent out, and 50 vessels of all descriptions left Kingstown to go to- tho rescue. Crowds lined the pier awaiting tidings, and 200 ambulances awaited tho survivors. The first rescuing vessel brought 105 and the others about 100, and also a number of the dead.

An officer says that all would have been saved but for tho second torpedo. Only four boats wero then afloat. The occupants saw a most terrible spectaole. Tho ship was heavily listed with v her propellers out of the water when struck the second time. The track of the torpedo was seen, but no submarine appeared. There was a tremendous explosion and some boats and rafts wore smashed to matchwood.

The Leinster waa first torpedoed forward and heeled over. The crew began to lower lifeboats. A second torpedo, threo minutes later, struck the engineroom, and a deafening explosion followed, blowing tho funnels into the air and killing tho captain. One of tho crow says the steamer seemed to crumble to ashes, and sank in 15 minutes

There wero nearly 800 persons aboard, including a number of women and children. Most of there were thrown headlong into (ho water. It was only possible to lower a few boats, and these were overcrowded. One filled with water and overturned.