The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1914-10-07
Stories OF Sinking OF
British Cruisers,
TOLD BY WITNESSES OF DEED
The Lucky" MisfOrtunes OF
Brave Little English
MidShipman.
YE WENT DOWN THREE TIMES

More details of the sinking of
three British cruisers by German
submarine have been received from
correspondents.
A Daily Mail correspondent. I'M
der date of Ymuiden, Holland, says:
Il have just seen a bluejacket OF
the Aboukir. who informed me that
the cruiser was struck heavily in
three places about 6 o'clock yester-
day morning, and sank in three or
four minutes.
Her bow was blown up and the
ship then capsized. The crew had
no time to save themselves in life
boats, but jumped into the water.
When the explosion occurred the
Hogue lowered boats to save the
men of the Aboukir, who were swim
ming in her direction. At this mo-
ment the Hogue was struck. too, in
three places, and sank in few min
utes. A great part of her crew were
saved in their own DOdlS.
THE Cressy then discovered the
presence of two German submarines
and shelled them with heavy pro-
jectiles. The submarines were de-
stroyed and sank At the same mo-
ment the Greasy was torpedoed in
two places and sank Immediately.
A Daily News correspondent at
Rotterdam interviewed Capt. Berk-
bout. of the steamer Titan, who wit
messed the sinking of the cruisers.
and rescued ia sailors and three
officers, including Commander Sells.
Some of the sailors rescued said
two attacking submarines were
sunk. All were certain only onel
vas seen going away toward CuN-
haven.
Early yesterday morning, Capt.
Berkhout said, Il saw three Eng
fish cruisers far away on the hori-
ION. A little later | noticed one had
disappeared. but imagined it had
sailed out of sight. Then | noticed
heavy smoke was bursting from an
other of the cruisers. and heard the
PARKWAY sound of an explosion. J
altered my course to go 10 their aid.
While on my way. the third ship
was struck, and | saw a submarine
dashing away at a great rate. Then
the two remaining cruisers rolled
over on their sides and disappeared.
when | arrived at the spot r
found two cutters there saving men
struggling in the water. All We're
naked. as they had been compelled
10 discard their clothing in order to
save themselves. There was one
sloOp ahOat full of men. and all
around were other sailors, nearly
exhausted from their long INNER
sion in the cold sea. Some were
clinging to wreckage and others
we're clinging round a floating table.
got out my two boats at once. and
all my men did their utmost to aid
in the rescue.
when | picked up Commander
Sells, of the Aboukir. we took him
ON deck. and, like most Of the other
men, he collapsed from exhaustion.
gave him wine, and. in ten min
utes, he came round The first thing
he said as he opened his eyes and
smiled, was. That was long swim.
He told me he had been in the
water about three hours. The watch
on his wrist had stopped at five past
seven. and It was 10 when ! picked
him ~.
Then there was brave little
English midshipman. He was on
board the first cruiser that was
struck. and as she settled down into
the water he jumped, and swan
clear.
"He was picked up by another
cruiser. but shortly afterward this.
too. was struck by a torpedo and
commenced 10 settle Once more he
had to take 10 the water, and again
ne had the good fortune to escape
injury from the explosion and the
wash from the sinking ship.
THE third cruiser rescued him,
but he had not been on board long
before that. also. was struck, and
for the third time he had the expe-
rienee of having ship toFpedoed