The Washington times., 1915-08-22
TELLS
HOW ARABIC SANK
ZeIIah Covington Describes
Thrilling Experiences Of Peo-
pie on Torpedoed Liner.
Continued from First Page.


pedoing. Eight boats were swung out
on each side of the ship-more than
enough for every one. When we step
ped into the boat we were impressed
with the provision of tins, crackers.
and casks of water, also that COM
were all ready for the emergency. That
Is wonderful tribute to the far
sightedness OF Captain Finch.
he ships crew waited calmly un-
til the passengers were led into the
boats. and then let them down slow
slightest confusion about 1t. You
would have thought the crew OF the
Arabic were used to that sort Of
work
'On the bridge stood the captain.
watching the whole scene, putting in
suggestions to the passengers where
needed and giving orders to the crew
with lightning rapidity.
Bugle Boy At Post.
81 will never forget the bugle boy.
When the torpedo struck he jumped
tc the companionway and started n
sErill tatGtatntat' on the bugle.
meaning tire ship is in peril, get to
the lfeboats.' The little chap kept 1t
up until the Hhst boat was filled up.
when the captain hollercd at him to
quit and jump into the boat himself.
Tho kid obcyed. hugging his hug. G
n If IL were the only thing he cared
for in the world.
when we got TO the water we
struck around in the boats, after get
ting a safe distance away from the
Arabic. until she abruptly turned her
nose straight up in the air. Inc cap
tain was still on the bridge Whcn
down. lie just slipped down with
her. and we thought it. was al up
with him. He made q heroic hgure.
that captain did. sticking to his ship
till she went under A., 49,.
I'VE watched the spot where the cap
tain had gone down. and after what
seemed an incredible time he popped up
like a shot out Of a catapult. Half q
dozen boats made for nm, ana ne
climbed into one.
Didn't Even Sneeze.
Right away, without even waiting to
snceze, the captain took command OF
the feet of iifeboats. We all went cir
cling around to pick UP those struggling
in the water, and saved more than
twent, that way. After we got all we
could find the captain ho!stad sail over
his boat and took n compass to hnd
where the land lay. We were so rar
out that we couldn't see land. ] felt
the binoculars that | had jammed into
my pocket and they were passed from
one boat to another until the captain
got EN-. They were the only binoculars
around. the captains having slipped out
of his pocket when he vent down with
the ship.
The captain started leading the feet
Of ntCboats for land, when. after an
hour and half. 2 British cruiser hove
in sight. The cruiser took four shots
at the subma rine. which vas now wnY
on IN the distance. don't know II II
was hit. After that the cruise" picked
up the passengers and conveyed them
to Queenstown"
Mr.. Covington related .hat the two
Flying Martins. acrobats. who had been
playing In London, slid deftly down a
rope into q lifeboat from the deck OF
the Arabic. One had his arms filled
with clothes which he hastily grabbed
in his StatcT oom after the torpedo
| struck. Tho clothes came IN hHnf.'
after they had picked up ill-clad sur
NlVCT5 from the sea. Hnt : III" t:mc
tine cruiser arrived they had all beer
| passed around TO the shivering ones.