Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-27

was lnAuttlClenl anu NnSH AhtS b'NehiN
filled there was nothing else to do but
stay on the Sussex. The deafeninR noise
OF the ships Flren and the confusion
among the crew and passengers added to
the difficulties.
Sea BECOMES ROuEher.
'The sea became rougher and rougher
but before long tho warning sound from
the ships whistle brought aid, and In the
end there were fifteen craft OF all kinds
surrounding US. picking up the survivors
and rendering aid.
Among the passengers was an Amer
lean woman, Mrs. Hillock, probably Mrs.
Hilton, whose name appears In the Of
fielal list She was with her daughter
and she suffered n fractured leg. After
receiving first aid treatment at Boulogne
she was put on a train for Paris
Forty passengers. according to the best
information so far obtained. lost their
lives on the cross channel steamer Sussex
Most OF them were French women. Some
twenty. II is said, were killed by the ex-
plosion which wrecked the vessel
No confirmation could be obtained at
the ministry OF marine this afternoon
that forty lives actually had been lost
In the disaster. but that estimate was
considered likely because It was the
women's and chlldren's saloon forward
where the vessel was struck.
A single. narrow eompanionway led
from this saloon. There were only five
private cabins on the boat. four on the
deck and one between decks. hence the
public saloons were crowded. These
cross channel steamers always are full.
nlsssFa
each way across.
The officers OF the Sussex warned the
passengers not TO be alarmed. but a
number OF persons. mostly men. are said
! 10 have jumped overheard. Some were
drowned and others with life preservers
were picked up after considerable delay.
in n few cases as much as four hours
later. Many of the passengers were taken
off by British torpedo boat which stood
by the damaged passenger ship.
The Sussex, Notwithstanding the hole in
her bow. was able to make port alone
About fifty passengers arrived at the
Care du Nord at Paris at 1918 this after
noon. Many OF them wore bandages.
Two Americans are supposed to have
been killed. but nothing 80 far has been
learned here as TO their identity, One
American at the station who would not
give his name said he had seen a tor
pedo coming toward the Sussex. He
added;
There was no warning from the sub.
marine. The Sussex. after being struck
sent up distress signals. In ten minutes
ten British torpedo boats had responded
TO the signals and were steaming quickly
10 aid US.
Donald Harper. an American lawyer in
Paris. and a member OF the firm OF
Boardman a Plat OF New York. was a
fellow passenger OF Mrs. d. w Hilton
one OF the survivors OF the Sussex from
New York on the steamer Rotterdam
Mrs. Hilton said Mr.. Harper. who ar
rived In Paris Wednesday from England
was much concerned over the possibility
OF the Rotterdam being torpedoed.
! Mrs Hilton was one OF the prospective
passengers from New York on the French
liner Espagne late last February who
were warned not 20 sail on that vessel.
MANY OF my fellow travellers on the
Rotterdam" said Mrs. Harper tonight,
were coming 10 France, some OF them
told mo that they intended 20 take the
Sussex yesterday. I could not walt so I
took Wednesdays beat.
Expressed Fear.
Among those who intended 10 take
the Sussex were Mrs. Hilton and her
daughter. Miss Edna Hilton. and w.
Gould Brokaw OF New York and Mrs. s.
Van Renssalaer Thsyer and her three
daughters. the Misses Alice. Julia and
Mary OF Boston.
Mrs. Hilton expressed much concern
10 me on board the Rotterdam over the
possibility OF the ships being torpedoed
Mrs, r. Banker Hilton OF New York
Il became known last February =, re
eeived an anonymous letter calling at
tention 10 the new German submarin,
policy against armed ships which wen
into effect March 1. and warning hsS no
TO embark on the French liner EspaEne
scheduled 10 sail from New York 70
Bordeaux on February - Several othe
prospective passengers OF the EspAgn
also received letters OF warning. All TN
letters were typewritten and bore NJ
date. address or signature
! The sailing OF the Esp8gne was delaye
until February g. when it sailed for Bor
deauN with only five nasSenrers aboard