Grand Forks herald., 1917-03-10

she was carrying, to make sure '""'
they were ready for her babies
From the beginning of tho voyase
mn definite information as to Wnen 'Iic
ship would reach port was Rlvene e.,,, ~
passengers. In fact, there VIZ ,,sr'
questions which one could get ans"H s. a.
ed. The correspondent trieo u o.s s enS
asked whether any other neu.ae
were aboard, but he was told ina. '.e .e
ship's OFFICERS had been forbidden 10
give any information whatever. AIter
leaving Port Said even the emergency
compass at the stern of the steamer
was covered SO that inquisitive passeh-
gers could not tell what direction sac
was taking.
Progress Very Slow.
From Port Said progress was neceS-
sarily slow, for the ship was contin-
ually weaving in and out, leaving
tortuous wake like a great sea-ser-
pent. A crew Of experienced gunners
was on duty at the big gun IN the
stern day and night, ready to take the
commanders orders should the occa-
sion arise. Two or three men passen-
gers who appeared on the deck the
first night with lighted cigars were
roundly upbraided by the commandse
and were sent below.
At Marseilles the first word OF the
new German edict regarding the SUD
marine warfare was learned, and mere
all but about $50 passengers, mostly
ship continued her voyage on Feoru-
ary 1, the day set for the beginning
of the indiscriminate torpedoing. 1t Is
not permitted to name the route tax
en- by the vessel, but 1t was a most
peculiar one, which brought the liner
into the channel many days overdue.
Ships Going Down Regularly.
From Marseilles on the trip was
continual horror to the ships officers.
for the wireless told them that ships
were going down all about them.
+ knowledge of these events was kept
from the passengers 80 far as possi-
could not be concealed. It was in the
early morning that the ship was tor
pedoed within sight of the liner. The
ill-fated vessel had been steaming
along with all her lights ablaze, why,
nobody could imagines It was de-
liberate bid for trouble. Suddenly she
was seen to heave up out Of the water
and then settle back with a terrible
list. Immediately distress signals were
sent up by the wounded ship, but she
could expect no aid, for under admir-
atty orders no vessel can go to the
rescue of another at such time.
Throughout the three weeks from
Port Said passengers stood their watch
on the bridge with the ships officers.
From daylight until dark two passen-
gers were always on the lower bridge
scanning the waters with marine
glasses. And their assistance was ap-
preciated by the commander for he
could not have too many on the look
out. During his outward voyage he
had escaped in a miraculous manner
from submarine and he had no de-
lusions as to the danger.
Strain is Disastrous.
It Is not only the men in the trench
es who lose their reason through the
stress Of conflict A sad illustration of
what submarine warfare will produce
was constantly before the passengers
Of the liner. There was aboard as a
passenger a steamship captain, who
for many months had piloted a great
ship through dangerous waters. Once
at least he had encountered an under
water boat and fought for the life of
his vessel. The continual strain had
finally told on him and he was being
taken home under guard Of two men,
a shattered wreck who stood for hours
in a spot listening, always listening
For what? He alone knew and he
| would not tell.