The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-02-08
SOLDIERS sing
after TUSCANIA
IS TORPEDOED
Americans Sing "Star- -SpangIed
Banner" and British "God
Save the King"
Officer Tells OF ATTACK
Explosion Wrecks Some of the Small
Boats and Others Are Crushed
When Launched-craft Re-
mained Afioat Two Hours.


Londonderry, Feb. 8.-The submar-
inc which torpedoed the Tuscania was
attacked by destroyer.
An American officer gave an init
nation that the submarine was de-
stroyed.
This officer was next to the last to
leave the Tuscania. He gave vivid
account Of the disaster to a CORE
spondent.
The second torpedo fired by the sub
marine missed it's mark, he said.
Thereupon a destroyer, which was
near the sinking liner, dashed off to-
ward the submarine, using a bomb
dropping device.
The claim Is made that the sub
marine was "done in" by the bombs
thus exploded.
When the Tuscania was hit the
American troops were lined up at at
tention. AS the transport showed
sharp list the Americans, to a man,
began to sing my Country, 'Tis Of
Thee" and 1.-THE Star-Spangled Ban
ner." The British crew, lined up on
the other side Of the ship, broke into
"Gor Save the King"
"stood Like Soldiers"
The American officer said:
Everything went well with us dur
ing the voyage. Many of our men had
fn T
say they stood like soldiers.
"We were one of a powerful con-
voy. I must not tell you our position
In the convoy or how the various ships
were formed. but you may take it that
all the other boats have got through,
as far as know.
"As for ourselves, well, the Huns
succeeded in getting only fraction of
our fine fellows in addition to our boat;
but If they have they have put the
iron into our souls and we will be
ready to repay them when the chance
offers.
Monday was a wild night. Had
the disaster occurred during gale
don't like to think Of what would have
happened. But Tuesday evening was
calm "InstantIy Disabled"
1.-THE first intimation we had Of pos
sible danger was an order for all men
to go on deck with life-belts. 1t was
about 4 80 O'Clock. At the same time
we sharply altered our course. At six
o'clock, just as the darkness was set
ting well in we got the blow. No
body saw the periscope nor could one
have been seen we'll. Some soldiers
described having heard a Kissing
sound Immediately before the torpedo
struck us in the engine room.
"We were instantly disabled. All
the lights went out. An oruer rang
out sending the troops to their boat
stations and to get the lifeboats out
The shock was not severe. It was
more of a crunching-in feeling that
went through the ship than Of d.
rect blow.
"There Was No Panic"
'"There naturally was good deal OF
confusion. You cannot lower score
Of lifebOats from the height Of an
upper deck In the darkness without
some confusion, but at no time was
there panic.
"There was great excitement how
ever, but it lasted only few min.
utes. Then all the men pulled them
selves together. Megaphone calls
were given all over the ship, saying
there was no danger that the vessel
would float till all were taken Off
In the meantime 8. o. s. signals were
sent out.
"Nven before some of US hat
grasped the situation British destroy
ers were dashing up alongside. Such
soldiers as had been lowered In life
boats were put on board destroyers
A few men who jumped overheard In
the first excitement were picked up
I believe one or two ifeboats were
smashed in launching.
1.-THE destroyers took off our men
In splendid style, with perfect order
"All this time the Tuscania was
slowly sinking. For minute / did
not know whether to go into q life
boat or to stick by the ship. One OF
the members Of the crew urged that
we stay on board and trust Johr
Bulls destroyers. He yelled this ir
NV ear. l took his advice and waited
for my turn to come to go on board
destroyer.
"No sooner had we cast off, with soc
men on board, than torpedo was
fred at us. 1t missed. Another de
stroyer dashed off, operating a bomb.
dropping device, and the claim was
afterward made that the submarine
had been done In"