New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-12
Captain of Vessel Who
Rescued % Men of the
Harpalyce Tells Story.
SUBMARINE LEAVES
TORPEDOED BOAT
Twenty-seven from Craft Which
Carried New YOrk's Gifts to
Belgium Saved.

Rotterdam, April 1.-THE Belgian
relief ship Harpalyce of London, the
bearer Of New York States first cargo
Of gifts, which was sunk north OF the
Hinder lightship yesterday by a Ger
man submarine, was flying the flag Of
, the American commission when she
was torpedoed, according to the testi-
mony of Captain Matroos of the Dutch
steamer Elizabeth, which brought to
this port twenty-five of the twenty
seven members of the crew rescued.
The Constance Catherine, also a
Dutch craft, picked up five of the men.
1t is feared that all of the remaining
fifteen of the crew have been lost. The
Harpalyce sank within five minutes
after receiving the torpedo.
Certain He Saw Flag.
Captain Matroos said he was in an
excellent position to see the whole
affair, and that the American relief
commissions flag, flying from the jib
stay of the Harpalyce, was plainly
visible TO him as he stood on the bridge
of his vessel, WHICH was then one mile
astern Of the British boat.
"While / was watching the Har-
palyce." said the captain, suddenly
saw cloud Of smoke and heard a
tremendous explosion. put on full
steam and made for the ship. Then
saw the periscope of the submarine
about a hundred yards from the Har-
palyce, going away from the sinking
vessel The wash Of the periscope
was quite plain.
81 got lifeboat launched and picked
up thirteen men, who were swimming
about or clinging to wreckage Then
| turned my attention to those in the
boats. The second officer was uncon-
scious when | recovered him. but
got him into warm bunk with warm
bottles and he recovered after two
hours. Just as the Harpalyce was dis
appearing there were three or four
distinct and heavy explosions as the
four boilers burst. Every one was
covered with wreckage Three China
men were badly injured. Besides the
five men which the Constance Cath
erina picked up. | believe one or .wo
were saved by the Ruby, an American
ship. My boat cruised around, search
ing for others, but we could find no
more. One Of the crew sank just as
one Of my men was reaching out TO
grasp MIN. Immediately put back to
Rotterdam
Boat Bound for New York.
The Elizabeth was bound for New
, York from Rotterdam.
Edward Llewellyn. the third officer
of the Harpalyce. who was on the
bridge at the time of the attack, gave
the following account:
"A slight gale from the northwest
was blowing and the sea was very
| choppy. At 10 o'clock, when we were
about eight miles from North Hinder
Lightship, suddenly heard tremen-
dous explosion. Then the ship heeled
over. looked over the side. and
right aft, on the starb0ard side. ! saw
tremendous hole. II looked a. (
nearly half Of the side of the shin
Udu btfN D4ON % Oub. ] ne water was
pouring in and the vessel settled down
stern first very fast. looked around
for trace of a submarine and saw
nothing, but two minutes afterward
, thought | saw a periscope some dis
tance away, going from the ship in
northerly direction.
No Time to Lower Boats.
There was no time to lower the
boats. but the men quickly took their
: places in them. and as the ship sank,
they hoated Oft. A jolly boat, how
ever. capsized just as the boats were
washed clear of the deck. The boilers
exploded and everybody was covered
with showers Of wreckage. was on
; the bridge, but | was washed of as
Z the ship sank. The second officer was
with me at this time. We each had a
/ life belt on and managed 20 get clear
Of the suction. We swan few min
utes, and then got upon hatch. When
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