Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-11-15
Explosion Wrecks Vessel Off
Coast of Ireland; Goes Down
After Crew and Officers Are
Taken Off Safely.
CAUSE OF DISASTER
NOT YET DISCLOSED
Third BattIeShip, in Point Of
Effectiveness, in English
Navy; Kept Secret From
London Newspapers,

New York. Nov. l4.-Rumors of
disaster to the British super-dread-
naught Audacious. which have been
persistent ever since the White star
liner Olympic, diverted from her
course, arrived at Lough Swlily on
October 29. are confirmed In mail adj
vices received today by the Associated
Press from point In ireland.
After a career OF less than two
years the Audacious. third in tonnage
and armament OF his majesty's war
ships. lies OF the bottom Of the ocean
off the north coast OF ireland. She
was hit by a torpedo or q mine, Octo-
her 81. with the possible exception
of one or two men, the whole crew OF
500 officers and men were rescued by
small boats from the olympic.
Daring Rescues.
The rescue was made In rough
sea through brilliant and daring sea-
manship on the part OF the white Star
crew.
The battleshlp's cry for assistance
was caught by the wireless operator
of the Olympic. which was only about
ten miles distant. The steamer rush
ed forward at full speed. Volunteers
were called for and double the num-
ber necessary TO man the lifeboats was
reached In few minutes after 3
o'clock and before noon all but 100 OF
her men had been transferred
BY that time the battleship had n
decided list at the stern, where just
below the water line she had receiv-
ed her wound. Two Of her engines
were unharmed, but the one aft was
put out of commission.
Tries 10 Save Ship.
After taking off all the officers and
crew who would leave the ship. Cap
tain Haddock of the Olympic turned
his attention to an attempt TO save
the warship. A cable was given her.
but 1t snapped as 1t tightencd. Mean
time the bulkheads began to give way
and II was soon apparent that ii would
be impossible to tow the ship or keep
her afloat. The cruiser Liverpool and
several other warships had come up
and stood by. Late in the afternoon
it was decided to abandon the Auda-
eious and the officers and men who
had remained on board. and the Au-
dacious plunged stern first and in a
moment had disappeared.
Cause of Explosion.
The explosion is supposed to have
been caused by shells set loose by the
listing Of the battleship. bit Of ar
NOR plate, torn from the sinking
ship, struck the deck Of the Liver
pool, cutting tho legs from under a
gunner, who died in a short time.
The Audacious met her fate twen-
ty-five miles off the Irish coast. which
the olympic was slkirtlng.
The Olympic sailed from New York
for Glasgow on October 81. She mad
been warned that there were German
mines off Tory island and fear of
these mines was the official explana-
tion when she unexpectedly put into
Lough Swilly.
Saw Great Ship Sink.
The Olympic's passengers saw the
mighty warrior sink. Then their ship
turned her prov toward I.ough Swilly.
Small craft cleared the route to make
sure 1t was free of mines. From
October 27 to November the Olym-
pie lay at Lough Swilly. Charles M.
Schwab was the only passenger who
left the Olympic before 1t docked at
Belfast on November ..
Even officers of the White Star
line were not permitted to board the
Olympic at Lough Swilly and all sup