Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-27
FRENCH MINISTER Of Marine
DECLARES STEAMER SUSSEX
WAS T0RPED0ED BY SUBMARINE
Captain of Steamer Observed Torpedo Approaching and Mane
vered to Avoid Blow but the Vessel Was Struck and
Observation-Disclosures Lost

Paris, March 26.-Scarcely any
doubt exists at the American embassy
that some American lives have been
lost in the disaster to the steamer
Sussex.
The American ambass dor, William
G. Sharp, sent Naval Lieut.. Bernard
L. Smith. by automobile to Boulogne
Saturday afternoon to investigate the
cause of the disaster and assist any
Americans who may need help.
The dispositions of some of the
American survivors who have arrived
at Paris are being taken by the EN-
bassy. They will be forwarded to the
State department at Washington.
From 80 to so persons. according to
estimates here, out Of $50 passengers
and the crew Of Sc. were lost. The
weight Of testimony is that the Sussex
was torpedoed by submarine with
out warning. 1t is thought the dead
included some 20 French women.
The ministry Of marine, in an Off
cial statement issued Saturday night,
declares that the Sussex was torpe-
decd. and estimates the number OF
victims at about so.
The communication
The text of the communication
reads:
The British steamer Sussex, which
carried about $50 passengers. was tor
pedoed in the channel on the oath, by
an enemy submarine.
The captain observed torpedo
about 100 metres from the side and
Immediately Unanswered to avoid it,;
but the vessel was struck in the fore
ward part, which was destroyed.
THE vessel. however, remained
af1oat. The fall of the mast destroyed
part of the antennae of the wireless,
moreover, when an aerial wire was i'm
provised, the operator. by an error,
reported an incorrect position. which
misled the torpedo boats and patrol
boats, and as result retarded the ar
rival of help.
The patrol boat Marie Therese,
nevertheless, managed to find the dis
tressed vessel. and brought back to
Boulogne a majority of the passen-
gers. Others were taken to England
bv British torpedo boat destroyers
which had arrived at the scene of the
disaster at about the same time as the
Marie Therese.
THE Sussex was tcwed to Boulogne
bv a steamer from that port and Is
now there in security.
"Inhapply the explosion ana the
beginning of d panic among the pas
sengers resulted in some victims. the
exact number at this hour is not
known. but it is estimated to be
about 30"
Saloons Crowded
The saloon for women and children was
forward of where the vessel was III. =
single narrow companionway led from
this saloon. There were only five private
cabines on the boat, four on the dech
and one between decks, hence the pubic
saloons were crowded These cross-chan-
mel steamers are always full, because
there are only three crossings each way
weekly.
The officers of the Sussex warned the
passengers quickly not to be alarmed
but a number of persons, mostly women,
are said to have jumped overheard. some
were drowned and others with life pre-
servers were picked up after considerable
delay, in few cases as much as four
hours later Many of the passengers
were taken off by a British torpedoboat
which stood by the damaged passenger
ship.
The Sussex, despite the mole in her bow,
was able to make port at Boulogne. About
30 passengers arrived at the Care du
Eord at Paris at 1915 this afternoon
Many of them wore bandages.
Torpedo Boats to Rescue
One American at the station who would
not give his name said he had seen a
torpedo coming toward the Sussex. He
added: There was no warning from the
submarine. The Sussex, after being
struck, sent up distress signals. In 10
minutes 10 British torpedo boats had re-
sponded to the signals and were steaming
quickly to aid US
Harvard research man, one of the sur
vivors, said:
''The moment it reached us there was
a terrible explosion. Many persons were
blown into the water. ! saw some killed
before my eyes.
RATS and boats were lowered. !
climbed upon a raft. Some persons were
drowned about me. ! was picked up by
a lifeboat. Many persons were injured"