Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-03-01
Passengers on Liner New
York Describe Trip Thru
Mine Strewn Sea.
PREPARED FOR
ANY EMERGENCY
Ship Flying Stars and Stripes, and Bril-.
liantIy Lighted, to Make Identity Cor.
tain, Makes Fast Time Out Of British
Waters-Life Boats Swung Out For
Instant Use, and Passengers Warned
Not to Seek Beds During First Night.

New York, March 1.-The American
liner New York arrived here today
from Liverpool after having taken un-
usual pains to make known her ma
tionality while passing thru the war
zone declared by Germany around
Great Britain. In addition extraordi
nary precautions were made against
mines, with lifeboats swung out for
immediate use if necessary.
Flying the American flag. the New
York left her dock in Liverpool short
ly after midnight on Feb. co. Her
lights were all lit and she steamed out
to sea and some of her passengers said
her searchlights played on American
flags, which flew from almost every
mast. The ship remained a mass Of
lights until safe waters were reached
To guard against possibility of con-
tact with mines she maintained sharp
lookout for danger. Women passen-
gers asserted that it was suggested to
them that perhaps It would be better
If they did not go to bed until the
vessel was clear of the war zone. Some
Of them stayed up all night.
Altho 1t was reported .hat the New
Yorks course was guarded by British
torpedo boats to the limit OF the war
zone, no such crafts vas seen by those
aboard.
Carried 221 Passengers.
The New York had 221 passengers
aboard. Thirty-one of them, mostly
women buyers for American business
firms, came from Paris TO Liverpool to
catch the boat. They were delayed be-
fore reaching Liverpool but the New
York was held at the request OF the
American ambassador at London. On
their way to Liverpool from Paris, the
party reached Dieppe ten minutes after
the boat left for Dover.
I'VE then hurried to the train that
took us to Havre. where we caught a
boat for Southampton, said Miss
Elizabeth Purcell. Of this city, one of
the number. 1.-The boat to Southamp-
ton left Havre at 1880 O'clock in the
morning and steamed full speed thru
the channel, travelling in a zig gag
course. The lifeboats We're swung out
and we were told to be prepared to
take to them at moments notice."
Charles F. Rogers, of this city. an
other passenger, sailed from New York
lOE l1lSeIpooi vi otili. ANcoSA .
said the American passengers aboard
the Pennsylvania, on which he sailed,
were held up five days at Queenstown.
The Transylvania carried heavy cargo
of guns, ammunition and aeroplanes.
Hold Liner at Queensla nd..
I'VE took on thirty five passengers at
Halifax" Mr. Rogers said. Before we
reached British waters it was reported
British submarines were watching for
US We reached Queensland, Jan. 81.
For three days all passengers We're held
aboard the ship. Then the British pas
sengers were landed. The American
passengers were held two days longer;
With permission of the captain, sent
a message to Ambassador Page. at
London, protesting against our deten-
ton Apparently this telegram was
needed for we were at once transferred
| to London
The last trip taken by a channel boat
from Dieppe to Dover, was described
| by Mrs. Cecil Deiterle, passenger
"It was an exciting trip" Mrs
Deiterle said. when the order came
to stop traffic the boat was already to
go. We left at night. All lights were
| extinguished and we were to be ready
| to take to the life boats at any mo-
| ment. The danger of hitting mines was
disregarded in an effort to make speed
and dodge torpedoes.