Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-07-20

yesterday before noon. as we'll as to
the loss of life. if any, was lacking
here early to-day.
Thirty-one sailors who were land
ed at Point O'Woods on Long Island
yesterday said a torpedo had struck
the warship amidships, following
which two other explosions occurred.
Other survivors, among 500 who
arrived at this port on a tanker last
night were reported to have said
that either a coast defense mine or
an internal explosion caused the ex-
plosion. Other steamships with sur
vivors abroad, were expected to ar
rive at New York or other nearby
ports during the day.
Survivors Certain Sub Was Seen
Some of the survivors who were
landed at Point O'Woods were sure
that a submarine had been seen and
one declared a shot had gone home
and destroyed the undersea craft
but an officer and most of the other
sailors We're confident no submarine
had been seen.
Varying statements have been
made as to the loss of life. Some of
the sailors said many were killed
and others hurt in the two explo-
sions, but that all who escaped
death or injuries by this cause ha d
been rescued.
The sailors landed from the tanker
later were taken to the Brooklyn
Navy yard where requests for in
formation were referred TO the Navy
Department at Washington.
Cruise Opens Fire
Within few seconds after the
first explosion, the cruiser, according
to the sailors, opened fire with sew
eral guns at objects which were
taken for periscopes.
The cruiser sank rapidly and dis
appeared fifteen minutes after the
first explosion. 1t went down so
rapidly. according to survivors, that
hundreds of the crew did not have
time to get to boats and were forced
to plunge over the rail into the wa
ter. where they clung to improvised
RATS until picked up by lifeboats.
All agreed that the discipline on
board the warship was magnificent
and worthy of the best traditions OF
the Navy.
The quartermaster. according to
survivors. remained at his post until
it was too late to save himself or
be saved, and calmly saluted nun
dreds of his comrades as. he went
down with the ship. A jackie climb
ed the mast and rescued the cruiser S
colors. The flag. carefully preserved.
was brought ashore in one of the
small boats at Point O'Woods
Heavy Firing at Sea
Immediately after the accident
great naval activity was observed
which seemed to strengthen the re-
port that the San Diego had been the
victim of an attack by U-boat De-
stroYers. patrolboats and airplanes
were reported to be taking part in
what seemed to be a search for un-
dersea craft. Sounds of heavy fir.
ing at sea we're heard by residents
at various points on Long Island last
night.
Reports were in circulation chat
other ships had been attacked. but
there has been no certification OF
these rumors.
Washington. July 20.-Belief that
the cruiser San Diego was sunk by
a torpedo is expressed in a dispatch
to-day from the chief of staff of crui-
ser forces to the Navy Department
The dispatch follows:
No Torpedo Seen
The captain of the San Diego re-
ports that he is inclined to the be-
lief that the ship was sunk by tor
pedo. There are no conclusive facts,
however, on which to base a definite
opinion at present in view of follow
ing circumstances:
|. "1-No torpedo was seen.
"2-No. convincing evidence that
periscope'was seen.
"3-No submarine appeared, in
spite of the fact that three unarmed
rescue ships were in the vicinity for
about two hours.
"4-Ship was struck on port side
abaft beam, which discourages mine
theory"
Make EN- Pay
When the first survivors landed
at Point o. Woods, Fire Island, the
first question they asked was for a
telegraph office. While they were
crowding in line to wire their. fam
iiies. Charles NJ. Nash. superintend-
ent of the Point o. Woods Associa-
ton, took charge of the arrange
ments to care for the boys them
~ q D"YYY 4 Vi