SURVIVORS' STORIES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 16824, 27 November 1916, Page 7

SURVIVORS' STORIES.

ATHENS, .November 24. One hundred and. fifty survivors from the Britannic'have'landed at Piraeus. They say that she was torpedoed while the Royal medical staff and nurses were breakfasting. The boats were quickly-swuag out, but after 20 min--ute's the work was difficult owing to the liner's heavy list. Despite the special" appliances the three first boats launched were caught in the screws and cut to pieces, most of the occupants perishing: Some of the crew were1 caught^ in the explosion, and agress from the forward part of the vessel was cub off. The two navigating officers on deck state they saw the wake of two torpedoes. The captain is also ,coiivinced the sinking was due to torpedoes. , : ' .After the disaster the Brittanic's wireless sent out the "S-0.5." call. A. neighbouring desroyer received it and replied,., hastening to the r?scue, but the restroyer received a counternaandy; signal. This was given out by the German submarine in a dastardly attempt to stop help reaching the victims. The destroyer momentarily turned back;, but discovered the cowardly trick when further urgent calls were received. .. -» . ; This was ilie vessel's sixth voyage as a hospital, ship. At the time, of the explosion "she was steaming at twelve knots. The explosion itself accounted for many deaths. The engines were unharmed. The captain tried to beach the Brittanic until the forward dip became too pronounced. Thirty boats were afloat before the list prevented the proper launching of the rest. , .