The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-03-12
.rviro RI make sure that

she was carrying, to make sure tnat
they were ready for her babies
From the beginning Of the voyage
no definite information as to When
the ship would reach port was given
to passengers. In fact, there were Few
questions which one could get answer
ed The correspondent tried to get
the official number of passengers ana
asked whether any other neutrals
were aboard, but he was told that the
ships officers had been forbidden to
give any information whatever. Al
ter leaving Port Said even the emer-
gency compass at the stern OF the
steamer was covered SO that inquisi-
tive passengers could not tell What
direction she was taking.
From Port Said progress was neces-
sariIy slow, for the .nip 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 COM
mander's orders should the occasion
arise Two or three men passengers
who appeared on the deck the first
night with lighted cigars were round
ly upbraided by the commander and
were sent below.
At Marseilles the first word of the
new German edict regarding the sub
marine warfare was learned, and here
all but about $50 passengers, mostly
second class, were disembarked The
ship continued her voyage on Fepru-
airy l. the day set for the beginning
of the indiscriminate torpedoing. 1t
is not permitted to name the route
taken by the vessel, but 1t was most
peculiar one,y which brought the liner
into the channel many days overdue.
From Marseilles on the trip was q
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 SO far as pos
sible, but there were some things
which could not be concealed. 1t was
in the early morning that the ship was
torpedoed within sight of the liner.
The Inflated vessel had been steam
ing along with all her lights ablaze,
why, nobody could imagine. It was
a deliberate 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 Admiralty orders no vessel can
go to the rescue Of another at such a
time.
Throughout the three weeks from
Rort Said passengers stood their
watch on the bridge with the ships
officers. From daylight until dark
two passengers were always on the
lower bridge scanning the waters with
marine glasses. And their assistance
was appreciated by the commander
for he could not have too many on
the lookout. During his outward voy-
age he had escaped in a miraculous
manner from a submarine and he had
no decisions as to the danger.
It is not only the men in the
trenches who lose their reason
through the stress of conflict. A sad
illustration Of what submarine war
fare will produce was constantly be-
fore the passengers of the liner. There
was aboard as a passenger q steam
ship captain, who for many months
had piloted great ship through dan
gerous waters. Once at least he had
encountered an underwater 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 spot
listening, always listening. For what :?
He alone knew and he would not tell.