The Oskaloosa herald., 1917-03-01
SURVIVORS TELL
OF DIVER ATTACK
Women Sing Defiantly as They
Land at Queenstown.
HoYs WERE BURIED AT SEA
Chicago Women Lost Lives When Boat
Was swamped-Mrs Harris, Hero
Inc, Last Passenger TO Leave,
Aided Others OF Her Sex.

stories of its survivors were pieced 10
gether. Aud with it came To light q
story of women's bravery and defiance
that stirred Queenstown 10 its depths.
When the rescuing patrol steamer
brought the survivors into this port
there was a defiant sound of voices
from IT'S deck.
Eager observers made out the pic
ture of disheveled women, snatched
from death in the cold waters of the
sea, standing forward deck and lead.
ing in the singing of Rule Britannia"
The women were huddled together
hair streaming over their shoulders
and, like the men who were saved
wearing life belts inflated and strapped
across their shoulders.
Baby Carried Ashore.
First ashore was a tall stewardess,
hair streaming and cuddling 10 her
breast tiny baby that was almost lost
in the voluminous wrapping of the
woman's life belt.
The pitiful company struggled across
the gangplank and were met with eager
sympathy. They were hurried Ia a
fleet of waiting automobiles and car
ried to the Queens hotel. There cham
payne and bowls of steaming soup
awaited them. A big staff of Red Cross
nurses and surgeons looked them over
and hurried many off to bed.
Mrs. Harris Heroine.
& B 4. . 4.
One of the first passengers to land
was an American woman, Mrs. f. +.
Harris, who was accorded this honor
by the captains order because of her
heroism in supervising the departure
of the women and children from the
sinking ship.
She was the last passenger to leave
the Laconia, standing by the side of
the captain and going the rounds with
him, carefully checking off the women
and children passengers to see that
they were all in their places and pro-
vided with clothing, blankets and tar.
paulins.
Although the passengers showed the
effects of the ordeal, they put merry
part, and nearly all were able TO enjoy
the meal with a good grace. Their
sufferings had been intense.
Cedric p. Watts, theatrical mana.
ger, who was a passenger ON the La
coma, died of exposure. Mr.. watts was
a resident of London.
After the Laconia's survivors had
taken TO the boats, the German subma'
rine which apparently sank the Cunard.
er, approached one lifeboat, inquired
for the captain and asked the nature
of the cargo. Receiving the informa.
ton from the second officer of the La.
coma, the German officer remarked that
q British admiralty boat would reach
the survivors shortly, and then depart,
ed without offering assistance. Ameri.
can Consul Frost reported the incidents
TO Ambassador Page.
-Four Americans are among the
known surviving passengers. one OF
whom is Rev. Joseph Wareing Of Balti.
more, who was exhausted completely
when brought ashore.
According to stories gathered from
passengers from the Laconia who en-.
tered Queenstown, the steamship was
torpedoed at about 10:30 o'clock Sun.
day night. The passengers and crew
had taken to the boats when the sec.
ond torpedo was fired into the sink.
ing vessel. The boats were picked ur
at four o'clock on Monday morning
Many of the survivors wore only the
scantiest clothing.
Wireless Calls for Help.
The wireless on the Laconia sent
ont call for help and rescuing
steamers were soon on the way to the
scene. After about six hours the
boats were picked UP. In addition tc
the survivors brought 10 Queenstown
10 were landed at Bantry.
Four passengers are among those
sent 10 hospitals. Their injuries are
slight. Among the four is Doctor
Hawke, a resident OF San Francisco
He said that the first torpedo struck
the liner aft on the starboard side and
everyone made for the life preseryers
The passengers previously had beer
instructed in boat drill and got into
The boats without panic. Doctor
Hawke said that all behaved well anc
that discipline was truly good.
"Tile submarine returned after We
had been in the boats and fired anofh.
er torpedo, which put out the lights
and was followed by terrific expIo,
sion. and the ship must have suns
soon after" he continued 1.-The sec.
ond torpedo. mind you, was fired al
though the lifeboats were close 10 tho
vessel. and the crew of the submarine
could not have failed &C. see us, as II
was moonlight.
In Boats About six Hours.
at was about 8 80 p. m. Sunday
when we took TO the boats, and about
three O'Clock on the following morn.
ing we were picked up"
Doctor Hawk gave the highest praise
TO the behavior Of The WOMEN anc
children and said lEaf iir captain Hnt
crew we're marvellous,