New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-06
Hope That McNeely
Was Saved Is
Revived.
2S CHILDREN
LOST ON LINER
Several Americans Were
on Board, Declares
Lord MOntagu.

London. Jan. Ga fifth boat from
the steamer Persia has arrived al
Malta, according to a dispatch from
that place to The Daily Mail" re-
ceived through its Milan correspond
ent. The survivors believe that
sixth boat succeeded in getting
away.
The number of survivors pre-
viously reported was l69, of whom n
158 landed at Alexandria in four
boats. Eleven others, picked up
at sea, were landed at Malta.
Whether American Consul Robert
Ney McNeely is among the number
last landed at Malta is not yet
known.
Tales from the survivors of the
Persia continue to filter into Lon
don. The swiftness with which the
liner sank is emphasized. Mother
who went in quest Of their children
never returned. Only two children
of the thirty reported on board
were saved.
The statement that there were
several Americans on the Persia IS
credited to Lord Montagu to-day by
"The Evening News" Lord Mon
tagu is one Of the e;even survivors
from the Persia VINO were landed
at Malta.
No official information has yet
been received here revealing the ma
tionality of the submarine respon-
sible for the sinking Of the Persia,
but all the Allied warships are
keeping close watch in the neigh
borhood Of where the disaster oc-
Cured. 1t is known that subma-
rines in sections have been delivered
from Germany 10 Austria, Turkey
and Bulgaria.
Montagu Tells Story.
Lord NontaGu gave this account Of
the disaster to The Esoans News
correspondent a, iia.ta:
"Our ship was struck without any
warning a, about l:l0 p. 3d., AID sank
in a few minutes. All our passengers
we're enjoying tif'in, when big exp.o-
sion occurred on our port aide, abreast
of the forward engine room.
Boats were lowered rapidly and
the passengers rushed 20 get lifebelts.
but three boats were smashed while
they were being lowered. Many per
sons were thrown into the sea.
The Persia then heeled over so
much 20 the port side that it was i'm
possible to stand She then turned
over and sank, stern first many severe
explosions taking place when the water
reached the fires.
81 was swept off the deck and sucked
down. When came 20 the surface /
found myself surrounded by human
beings, battling for dear life. We saw
three boats, bottom upward, and each
struggled TO get hold Of any wreckago
floating about.
Several Americans
After we had been in the water
several hours, many having died IN the
meantime. we were finally rescued after
great difficulty by the Alfred Holt
liner NIugchow, and proceeded 70 Malta
soon after daylight.
There were several Americans on.
board very nice fellows, they seemed.
Il am extremely lucky % have been
saved Our chances of being picked dp
on q dark night from piece OF wreck
age appeared extremely doubtful mere
appears % have been very A,,le panic,
and the Lascars acted very well
81 think IL was due 20 the third Of
iicer in charge, Donald IacLean, the
vigilance II the lookout and the excel
lent seamanship OF the captain OF the
Ningchow IN manRuyrluy his vessel
alongside the broken boat that We
were rescued.
AL the officers Of the Persia appear
90 have been lost Robert McNeely,
American Consul At Alden is known TO
have been drowned
The survivors who reached AleNan-
dria. Egypt according 90 che account
sent by Reuter- correspondent. an
bore traces of shock and hardship.
Most Of them had badly bruised and
banGaged limbs one woman ls m
hospital with a broken leg.
Too Swift to Grasp.
The tragedy was enacted Sd rapidly
that the survivors say they hardly re-
allied what happened. consequently
they had little % ,oll The passengers
were sitting quietly at iunch,on. every
one IN good humoy and an atmosphere
OF gaye'y prevailing Five minutes
later those who escaped wcr, boz boats
or clinging 20 wreckage, and the lux
uuous liner Wa. completely gone
Luncheon had just started when
there came a terrific explosion. The
liner trembled violently and q moment.