The Washington times., 1915-05-04

the vessel was attacked without
warning.
Second officer Paul Bower of the
Gulfiight, whose home is in Chicago,
AT noon Saturday the weather was
hazy. but not thick. About two and
a half miles ahead saw a sub
marine. l notified the captain and
chief officer, who also saw the sub
marine. 1t remained on the surface
for three minutes and then disap-
peared.
twenty-five minutes later we were
struck by a torpedo on the starboard
side. and there was tremendous
shock. The submarine had not re-
appeared on the surface before dis
charging the torpedo.
Drifted All Night.
Previous to this we had been met
by two patrol boats, which accom-
panied us on either side. The boat
on our starboard side was so badly
shaken by the explosion that her crew
imagined that she also had been tor
pedoed. We Immediately lowered the
boats 6,9dis Il, and left our al ship and were
we drifted about all night, and did
not land at Scilly until 1880 o'clock
sunday morning.
on board the patrol boat, Captain
Gunther summoned me. I found him
in bed. He tossed up his arms and
tainted. From then until the time of
MS death he remained partially uncon-
Captain Gunther's speech was indis-
distinct, but we could distinguish that
ne wished some one to take care Of his
Second Assistant Engineer crist. of
II was on watch In the engine room
when we were torpedoed. and so terrible
to be tumbling to pieces. l told the boys
to beat it. as quickly as possible and
shut the engines down
Reaching the deck, found them
into them with the exception of the
wireless operator and seaman, who
had dived overheard and were drowned y
Flew No Colors.
Another member of the crew told the
following story of the attack:
with the American flag flying we
were being guided toward Havre by two
British patrol boats. which were well
ahead of us. At 12:45 noon the second
mate and the quartermaster sighted a
submarine a mile and half off the port
bow: This was fifteen miles southwest
Of Bishop Rock. The submarine flew
no colors. We didn't know what she
was and we proceeded on our course.
THE submarine disappeared. Twenty
five minutes later with no warning OF
any kind we were struck on the star
forecastle head and pierce ID an oil tank
We didn't see the submarine then
She was evidently submerged. In fact
We never did see her again.
I'VE were apparently badly wounded
and we made ready to leave the ship
Two men, however. in their excitement
jumped overheard. and we never saw
them again. One was the wireless
operator and the other a sailor named
Chapanta.
Couldn't Swim In Oil.
Both were Americans. Oil had
spread over the water and this prob.
| ably accounts for their loss. They must
have had trouble swimming In oil. and
| likely as not they got 1t into theii
| mouths and strangled. We never sa"
! them again.
I'VE had plenty of time to get two
| boats into the water. and we all got In
| There were thirty-four of us left then
| One sailor, Scotchman, was left
aboard. having gone back to obtair
some clothes. and after we had pulled
away from the ship we had to return
|
"The patrol boats which had beer
| guiding us came to our assistance. One
! of them was the trawler Lago. She
| took us on board. where we were wei
| cared for. Our captain. however, wal
| fearfully upset. He was taken very
badly between and 2 o'clock on Sun
day morning. and died at o'clock from
! heart failure, due to shock
Ship Still In Trouble.
The patrol boats came along anc
towed the Gultiight to Crow Sound
She had her nose deep in the water, bu
! apparently can be saved. There wer'
thirty-six men all told on board. al
Americans except two Swedes and on
| Dane. The Gultiight Is now at Grow
| Sound with a hole in her bow, her for
| ward deck down to the water. and he
propeller just showing astern. He
| anchorage, however is exposed, and
heavy gale Is blowing, so that she ma.
cept the mate. who remained at st
Mary. Scilly, has gone to Penzance
taking with them the body OF Captain
| Gunter.
Salvage steamers and British patro
boats are standing by the Gulhight
made for emptying her oil tanks, whicl
| must be done before she can be move'
| any further
The American consul general ha
asked Washington for instructions con
! cerning the body OF Captain Guntler
The American consul at Falmouth. un
! der directions from here, Is conduct
ing an investigation and arranging TO
obtaining a full statement of facts con
cerning the torpedOing of the steamer
which will be forwarded to Washington