DISASTER AT SEA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15706, 7 March 1913, Page 5

DISASTER AT SEA

LOSS OF CjERMAN TORPEDOER. SEVENTY MEN DROWNED. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. BERLIN, March 5. After being several days with the North Sea fleet manoeuvring near Heligoland, the Kaiser on Monday inspected torpedoer Sl7B at Wilhelmshaven, He boarded a battleship to watch the manoeuvres, and returned shortly before the catastrophe.

The torpedoer left Wilhelmshaven yesterday t-o join the manoeuvres.

She was cut in halves at midnight, ,and sank like a stone.

All ships immediately' sent up flares, and threw out searchlights to enable the Yorck, which was undamaged, to.join in rescue work, Sixty-seven men, including the commander and navigating officer, were drowned. ADDITIONAL DETAILS. LITTLE TIME FOR ESCAPE. BERLIN, March 6. ' (Received March 7, at 0,10 a.m.) Details regarding the disaster are meagre, . ■ A very high sea was running, and the night was dark.

It is believed that the torpedoers and destroyers attempted to break the line of battleships and cTuisers. When the operations were ended Destroyer Sl7B. with her lights masked, came behind uie Heligoland. The Yorck rammed her behind her aft funnel. ■,

The destroyer heeled and sank in two minutes. • Most of the crew were below when the accident occurred. The Yorck rescued the doctor, engineer, and 15 others with great difficulty owing to the storm. Two officers and 68 petty-officers and men were drowned. The commander was on leave, and was not aboard. 5