Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-10-12

cruiser OtrantO and the Trans
porf kaShmir cOllided in the
North Channel between Scot
land and Ireland last Sunday.
One hundred American SOL
diers. 80 French sailors and 266
members of the crew of the
OtrantO have been landed at "A
port in northern Ireland. Six
teen other survivors have been
picked up at Islay.
More than two hundred bodies
have been recovered this morning
and many of them have been
buried.
The Otranto is a total wreck on
the Island of Islay. The kashmir
landed its troops at a Scottish port
without loss of life
The troop ships collided while a
heavy storm was raging and the
Otranto, with q gaping hole in her
side then drifted helplessly toward
the rock coast.
Middle West Boys on Ship.
A number OF the troops on board
we're from the interior of the Unit
&c States and were without expert
ence al sea. They had preferred to
remain on the bigger ship rather
than risk jumping to the small de-
stroyer Mounsey which gallantly
came TO the rescue, and they seem
ed to be cheered by the sight of
land. The hopes Of the men that
they would be able to make safe
landing, however, were dispelled
By the Otranto's captain when he
shouted from the bridge, We'll,
boys. we will have to swim for it."
About that time the troop ship slid
with hardly d jar onto a shelving
rock which, as a wave reCeded, bit
its teeth into the ships timber and
held her in e viSe-like grip. After
that the tragedy moved quickly to
its climax.
Deck House Torn on.
The fury of the STORM seemed to
be conferred on the pinioned and
helpless vessel and in league with
the vicious sea which began to
rend and tear her TO pieces. The
steel deckhouse was wrenched bod
iy from its fastenings by the
enormous waves and was hurled
into the breakers, sweeping many
Men away with il.
The ship had struck about mile
from shore and on the cliffs stood
groups Of islanders eager to send
aid but which il was impossible TO
attempt. Owing to the terrific wind
there was no chance of getting a
line 70 the ship which now was fast
breaking up.
Scores Of men began to jump and
many immediate were seized by
The waves and hurled against the
sides OF the ship.
Ship Broken I'm Two.
About noon the Otranto was lift
ed on the crest Of a high comber
and dashed back 10 the rock so vi
oiently that the vessel broke
squarely Ii two. The mast snapped
short. killing men as it fell. One
section Of the hulk turned side
wise, emptyiug all hands still cling
hg 70 the deck into the boiling
SURF The other section proved a
biaything for the waves and speed
ly was ground 10 pieces on the
rocks
The remaining members of the
tnlp's company now were strug
eing in the water. The slim
chance they might have had Of get
ing ashore was vitually dissipated
oy the wreCkage from the ship
through which the best swimmers
we're unable TO win their way
Tells Experience.
The experience related by Viii
Lsin Richards, Jypifes that Of the
e'Aers but perhaps is . bit more
sensational He said
The fellows were fine We knew
,aat when the ship went fast on
re rocks so far out we would not
LaFe much chance 70 save our
snls. But We all seemed determ-
meg 10 make a good try.
wave washed me of and l
S-snaged 20 get clear Of the ship.
ne hTst man | recognized in the
,ss-er YVES the captain, who was
t,-fo|n overheard when the mast
-loke away He was standing
straight up treading water and
Doping about for something 10
g'ssp
Ride Mattress To Death.
There were three men on q mat
sss riding ~ shore as if they were
s1loylng life. but while I watched