OCEAN CALAMITY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10100, 14 October 1918, Page 5

OCEAN CALAMITY

COLLISION IN IRISH CHANNEL TRANSPORT OTRANTO SUNK. THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY MEN PERISH. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright Australian - and - N-Z. Cable Association (Received October 13, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, October U. The “New York Times’s” Belfast correspondent states that the American transport Otranto collided with the British steamer Kashmir in the North Channel. It is .feared that 900 men have perished. Damage to tho steering gear of the Kashmir in, a, .gale caused collision.. - . ... * . ~,h „ Many lifeboats were swamped, ino survivors who landed in Ulster said splendid discipline was maintained on the Otranto. ~ A later message gives the deatn-rou as 360. (Received October 13, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 11. The Admiralty reports: The arm 6" cruiser Otranto came into collision with the steamship-. Kashmir, both carrying American troops. The weather was very -had. The two ships dntto apart, and soon lost sight of each other. The destroyer Mounsey, summoned by wireless, by skilful handling took off 27 officers and 239 of the crew. Thirty. United , States military ratings and thirty ..French sailors landed ...thean. in ..a; .;North of Ireland port. ■ • • ■■ ■•••» , , , The Otranto drifted ashore at Islay Island and became a total wreck. Sixteen survivors were picked up at Islay. It is feared the casualties are as follow:—Three hundred and thirty-five military ranks ratings, 11 officers, and So of the crew. The Kashmir landed her troops at a Scottish port. There were no casualties. FURTHEDeTgRAPHIC PICTURE. OFFICERS GO DOWN WITH THEIR SHIP. Published in "Tlio Time:." (Received October 13. 6.5 p.m.) LONDON. October 12. The Otranto was carrying 800 passengers, including 746 American troops, and collided ,in very heavy seas and subsequently ‘ foundered. (The survivors owe their lives to the conspicuous heroism of a British destroyer. One survivor, Mr Campbell, tho 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 in her. The convov was then eight miles from the Irish coast. The Otranto, steamed slowlv,for an hour till the inrushing water flooded the engines. She . drifted ;closer to the coastline, which was of sheer rock cliffs. It was impossibly to beach,..her. t The . .destroyer,'Moflocey appeared in response to The sea was so high that Captain Davidson was advsed not to attempt to come alongside. Lieutenant-Cotomander Craven replied that-he. was. determined to give all support possible. ' He manoeuvred the destroyer parallel .and drifted towards the Otranto, where the men, who kept cool throughout, were ordered to remove their, heavy clothing and prepare to iump. - Tho troops put on lifebelt s-and;,obeyed,.. The destroyer manoeuvred .alongside Jour, -times, sheering oft with the heavy seas. Each time a proportion of the men jumped a gap of 15 feet. Unfortunately many missed and were smashed to-.pulp between the vessels. Some just landed on the edge and some clutched 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 for the fifth, time-..when a giant wave washed off twelve of the men, compelling iherdestnover-to finally hack away. The Otranto shortly afterwards’ sank. . ' Mr Campbell warmly praises the heroism of the destroyer’s officers and crew, who took chances of almost certain death. -The.Otranto’s officers, similarly gallant, insisted upon remaining on the shin and were drowned.