THE TORPEDOED TRANSPORT TRANSYLVANIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12086, 15 August 1917, Page 3

THE TORPEDOED TRANSPORT TRANSYLVANIA.

, 4 FINE KKSC-rB WOK-K BY JAPANK,Sli DESTROYERS. Tho British Aclrnirnlly. Renter's Agency is informed, has sent a. telegram of thanks and congratulation to tlio Japanese Admiral in the .Meditorranean tor the .splendid work oi' Japane.so destroyers in May hist in reselling troops and nurses from the. troopship Transylvania,. It is understood that .some oi' the Japanese officers and men Avill receive decorations from the King. The report of the Japanese Admiral, which has now heen received, speaks in tho highest terms of the perfect order maintained and the courage, displayed hy troops, nurses and others on hoard tho transport. Of these the majority, according to the, British* officer in command, were saved by Japanese destroyers. All were drawn up in perfect order on tho after-part of the transport. The Japanese report states that the troopship was proceeding to her destination escorted hy Japanese destroyers, ■when during the forenoon a torpedo was launched against the Transylvania from a submarine whic.h was hidden behind a sailing vessel. Jt struck the troopship in the forepart. One of tho Japanese destroyers proceeded at full speed alongside tho vessel and at once began the rescue of those on board. When sho had taken 500 ofT the Japanese officer saw a second torpedo, and this crashed into the nfterparfc of the Transylvania. Tho second torpedo caused an explosion and many casualties among men who were at the moment leaving the Transylvania. The destroyer thought it prudent, to sheer off with the rescued she had on board. Other Japanese destroyers wore on the scene, and two of them tired on a periscope with unknown result. Other Japane.so destroyers came alongside the Transylvania and took off over 1000 troops. 'Hie first destroyer had in tho meantime proceeded to land her 500 troops, and the other vessel with her ]OOO survivors did likewise. The two vessels subsequently returned to continue the work of rescue. Tly this time the Transylvania had sunk, and Allied destroyers and trawlers were on the, scene.