The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1918-08-29

" WNSr0 We SIG was WrGGN90-
. Where TIA cAssARp snesoeA the
soon as we got in range the enemy
batteries opened up on Us and the
shell fire was heavier than any we
had been In before, though not more
effective. We drew In on a bright
morning, about half past Ave or SIX.
with our convoy, the troopship Cham
payne. ahead Of Us and going slowly.
sounding all the way.
At this part Of the shore there ts \
dock about a mile and q half long,
running back into the country and
terminating In a road. The Cham
payne was making for this dock,
sounding as she went. Suddenly, when
she was within 500 yards OF the shore.
l saw her swing around and steer In
a crazy fashion. We began asking
each other what was the matter with
her, but we learned afterwards that
her rudder had been torn OF. though
We never found out how, nor do / think
anyone yer knew.
Then she went aground. with her
stern toward the shore and listed "
to port. You could see different srti-
cles rolling out and down the side.
Then her back broke. The quarter
deck was crowded with men half
dressed, with life belts on. jumping
over the side or climbing down. There
was an explosion and a cloud Of black
smoke broke over US, and for q while
/ thought l was blinded.
AL the time the shells were raining
In on us and on the Champagne.
When I could see again ! ia the men
on the Champagne climbing down the
starboard or shore side. One chap was
going down hand over hand along a
stanchion, when another fellow above
him let go and slid right down on him.
The first man fell about thirty feet,
landing In the water with his neck
doubled under him. Our hfeboets and
launches were out picking up sur
vivors.
Those who got safely over the side
started to swim ashore. but when they
had gone only 2 little way they found
they could wade in When the waite,
was only mp 10 their waists they came
upon barbed wire entanglements and
not a man got ashore that way but
was scratched and ciawed and man.
gled horribly. Some of them that !
saw afterwards were just shredded
along the sides Of their bodies like
coconuts. A great many OF them.
though. were killed By shrspnel while
they were In the water.
On board the Cassard our guns had
been busy all the time, and It was not
long before we put u enemy bat
terry out Of commission. We had suf.
fered q bit. too, but not enough 20
worry Vi There were about 1900 men
on the Champagne. 1 think. and at
least Q third were killed or drowned,
and the casualties must have been
almost t~wo-thirds. The ship was Just
q mass Of w~reckage.
They called for a landing party from
the Cassard. and officers asked for
volunteers for trench duty. I was moi
very keen about going. because I had
been In trenches at Dtxmude. and ]
knew how pleasant they were-not,
but ! volunteered. and sc did Murray.
We went ashore In our boats under a
heavy Ere. There were II man killed
In the lifeboat In which ] WA I es-
capped without . scratch
We were mustered up on shore and
volunteers were called for. for sentry
duty. Murray volunteered. II he had
only gone OIL with the rest Of us he
might have come through. After q
short wait we were given the order 70
advance. The firing became heavier
about this time. SO we went at the
double. We had not got very Tar be
fore we had a fine little surprise party
handed ne.
The front line was running over
what appeared 20 be good. solid
ground. when they broke through and
fell into trenches 80 to 20 feet deep,
These trenches had been dug. covered
owe with Winch boards and then
with dirt. andswere regular man-traps,
Sharp stakes were sticking out Of the
parapet and parados. and at the bot.
tom were more stakes and rocks and
barbed wire.
We were advancing with bAyonets
fxed and arms at the carry. 30 when
the nrst line fell. and some Of the
second. the boys OF the third line came
running up. and In the scramble that
followed many OF the chaps in the
first few lines were bsyonsted By their
comrades. i was in the third line. bui
I was lucky enough to pull ND In time
and did not fall In. You could not look
down into that trench after you had
seen It once. IL was too sickening
Our casualties were sent back to the
ship. One boat was sunk By q shell
and al the men lost
fro Be Ccntinued)