HEROISM OF BRITISH SEAMEN.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16406, 3 April 1919, Page 5

HEROISM OF BRITISH SEAMEN.

THE LOSS OF H.M.S. HOSTE. A STIRRING REVELATION. Many gallant actions! and stirring deeds of daring performed under stress of battle and in face of the enemy have been revealed since Hostilities censed, and others of a like character will doubtless be brought to light as time goes on. But the curtain has not so often been raised to display the exploits of our seamen in circumstances of peril, and their heroism under conditions peyhaps more trying oven than those of conflict with the enemy. An instance of cool, calm courage and selfcontrol when faced with almost certain death, and an exhibition of superb selfconfidence and marvellous seamanship, was afforded when two destroyers, the Hoste and the Negro, were sunk after collision in the North Sea early in the war. On December 26, 1916, the Secretary of the Admiralty made the following anncimceiii ernes;— Two of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyers were suuk in collision in the North Sea on December 21 during very bad weather, resulting in the loss of six officers and - ol men, the relatives of whom have all been notified. LATER. According to reports subsequently to hand tho number of men lost is 49, and not 51. The facts which lay behind this bald statement were these:—On the night of Thursday, December 21, 1916, the Grand Fleet was returning to its northern base from one of the periodical sweeps which formed its tireless duty in the North Sea. The great assemblage of vessels, spread over a large area, was steaming, as usual, without navigation lights and at a good pace, although faced by a howling gale—such a gale, indeed, as had not been experienced in those waters for many years. In advance of the battle squadrons was a patrolling force of destroyers, ol which the leading vessel was the Hoste, Commander G. L. Edwards, R.N. The Hoste was a fine new vessel of the Leader type, and next astern of her in the flotilla was the Negro, another new destroyer. It was a pitch dark night, without a star visible, and to the vessels following one another in tho flotilla the only indication given of the next ahead was tho track of white water in the wake where the propellers were at work. Such guidance was slight at any time, and it was extraordinary how. under those conditions, exact stations were maintained, and mishaps seldom occurrcdij On thin occasion the difficulty was increased by the heavy sea running and the snowy froth which capped every breaking wave. COLLISION IN THE DARKNESS. Suddenly there was a crash and rending crunch, followed by a series of violent detonations, while ■ loud shouts arose out of the darkness. Even the howling storm could not muffle the sound of those exploding charge or the sharp, grating sounds which accompanied the tearing to nieces of the stern of the Hosto. The Negro had run into her consort, ami hail .struck her in the after-part just whore tho depth-charges were stowed ready for use. 'Hie rails and adjacent parts were knocked away, and with them tho fastenings of the anti-submarine bombs, which burst as they fell to their appointed depth and added to tho damage already done io both vessels by the collision. Tho hull of "the smaller destroyer was so badly shattered that she sank immediately, with almost all on board. Only one officer aml\ a few men were saved from her crew. No boat could live in the sea running at the time, and few human beings could stand the shock of sudden immersion in such ice-cold water. Tho survivors were those fortunate enough to seize ropes flung to them from tho destroyers that came rushing to tho rescue, illuminating the waters with their searchlights and bringing such succour as might bo to the victims of the disaster. On board the. Hoste there was need for the greatest courage and fortitude, for prompt examination revealed that her injuries were such as to leave but little chance of getting her safely into port. The after-part of the vessel was torn away, and she was mailing water rapidly, but, ns her engines wore still working, her captain decided to make an effort to reach a harbour. For that purpose lie put her broadside on to tho sec of the seas, so that she, might he kept valor-borne for her whole length, and, while making slow progress in the right direction, endeavours were made to shore up, at least temporarily, the bulkheads, and prevent their crushing in. The collision occurred about 1.30 a.m., and. although ,tbe destroyer’s back was fractured by the explosion, she was kept afloat until 4 o’clock in the morning, when the strain became too great, a portion of the hull broke off,, the engine-room flooded, and at once it was evident that her fate was sealed.

What remained of the doomed vessel might now founder at any moment. All hands were lined up on the forepart, where they took stations as ordered by the officers, and were numbered ofl' in hatches, in view of the possibility of some attempt being made to cave them. Their only hope rested in the desperate chance of reaching one of the other vessels of the flotilla in company, should she approach near enough for them to jump on board. In a few words the captain reminded the crow of what was expected of them as British seamen, and told them to await the word of command, which would be given when the supreme moment arrived. Barely able to stand as the deck rolled to the rushing seas and to the fury of the gale, each man prepared steadily to face the death that seemed inevitable. Even with their belts on there appeared little prospect of anyone surviving the plunge into those seething waters. A DESTROYER TO THE RESCUE. Then through the wrack and driven spume of the storm-tossed seas a blurred object loomed up, and presently, as it came nearer, revealed itself as another destroyer, and from her movements the intention of her commander was divined. It was quite impossible to place the'vessels alongside, for as both were rolling from 50 to 80 degrees even momentary contact could not be attempted without risk of imminent destruction. But the British seaman is prepared to take risks when the circumstances demand them, and the captain of the approaching vessel was manifestly of opinion that the present circumstances were of that kind. Handling his vessel with admirable skill, he watched his opportunity, and at a suitalbe moment brought her for a few’- seconds into close proximity with the forecastle of the Hosto. Then, at the given order, the first hatch of men jumped, while such was the superb dis-

ciplin® that not one of the remainder moved 1 from liis place. Fifteen times was this almost incredible manoeuvre repeated, the rescuing vessel being brought back to position, until within 40 minutes the whole of the olheers and men of the Hoste, with the exception of four, were successfully rescued. Two of those who lost their lives were drowned. After tho last group had safely jumped'. Captain Edwards took his leap for life, and had. hardly done so when the remains of tho ill-fated Rest© sank to the bottom. Tho rescuing destroyer was most appropriately named tho Marvel, and the capable seaman who handled her so magnificently and to such good purpose was Commander Edwin A. Homan.