AMERICAN TRANSPORT LOST

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13888, 14 October 1918, Page 4

AMERICAN TRANSPORT LOST

COLLISION IN A STORM. NINE HUNDRED PERISH. (Australian and N.Z. Cable JUsn.) Received October 12, 5.5 p m LONDON, Ortolier 11. ihe Now York Times Belfast correspondent reports that the American transport Otranto collided with the British steamer Kashmir in the north of the Bristol Channel, and it is feared 900 men perished. I lie collision occurred during a terrific gale, and was caused by the steering g.-ar ol fhe Kashmir getting damaging -Many of the lifeboats wore swamped, and their occupants perished. Three survivors who landed in Ulster said splendid discipline was maintained on the Otranto. SKILFUL RESCUE WC". SAVES NEARLY .'IOO. 431 LIVES LOST. (Australian. N.Z. and Reuler.) Received October 12, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, October 12. The Admiralty reports that at 11 o'clock on Sunday morning, 6th inst, the armed mercantile cruiser Otranto came into collision with the steamship Kashmir. Both wore carrying American troops. The weather was very bad, and the two ships drifted apart and soon last sight of each other. The destroyer Mounsey was summoned by wireless, and by skilful handling took off 27 officers, 239 of the crew, 30 United States military ratings, and 30 French sailors, and landed them at a north Irish port. The Otranto drifted ashore at Isliy Island and became a total wreck. Sixteen survivors were pieffed up at Islay. The casualties, feared to be drowned, are as follow: 335 of military ranks and ratings, 11 officers and 85 of the crew. The Kashmir landed her troops at a Scottish port. There were no casualties.

. DETAILS OF THE RESCUE. HEROIC BRITISH SEAM EX. (The Times.) Received October 13, 5.5 p.m. LONDON. October 12. The Otmntu, which was parrying 800 passengers, including 745 American troops, collided in very heavy seas ami subsequently foundered. The survivors owe their lives to the conspicuous heroism of a British destroyer. One survivor. Mr Campbell, an American Y.M.C.A. secretary, says that the Kashmir pot out of control through a mishap to her steering gear. She struck the otronto amidships, tearing a large hole in the convoy. They were eight miles from the Irish coast, and the Otranto steamed slowly for an hour till the inrushing water flooded her engines. She then drifted closer to the coastline, which is sheer rocks and cliff, and it was impossible to beach her. Tip' destroyer Mounsey appeared in response to the S.O.S. signal, but the sea was so high that Captain Davidson advised him not to attempt to come alongside. Lieu-tenant-Commander Craven, however, replied that he was determined to give all support possible, and he manoeuvred the destroyer until she was parallel and drifted towards the Otranto, where the men, wtio kept cool throughout, were ordered to remove their heavy clothing and prepare to jump. The troops put on their lifebelts and obeyed. The destroyer was manoeuvred alongside four times, sheering off with the heavy seas. Each time a proportion jumped the gap of 15 feet. Unfortunately many missed and were smashed to pulp between the vessels. Some just landed on the edge, some clutched the destroyer's rails, and others slipped and fell. Finally 20 men were left on the waterlogged decks, waving for assistance. The destroyer attempted to return for the fifth time, when a giant wave washed off 12, compelling the destroyer to finally back away. The Otranto shortly afterwards sank. Mr Campbell warmly praised the heroism of the destroyer's officers and crew, wfio took the chances of almost certain death. The otrantojs ofliicers were similarly gallant, and devoted. They insisted on remaining on the ship and were drowned.