The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1918-02-15
TROOP TRANSPORT
IS U-B0AT VICTIM
BRITISH LINER CARRYING 2,179
AMERICAN SOLDIERS TOR
PEDOED AND SUNK.
ALL BUT 166 ARE RESCUED
Troops Were Composed Chiefly of
Michigan and Wisconsin Guards
men.-Over 100 Montanans
Reported on Vessel.

London, Feb. "a story of disas
ter affecting the hearts and hope
of Americans although they have beef
schooled to expect it ever since tn
first contingent of their fighting mel
left an Atlantic port TO be brothers
In arms with the entente allies, VIII,
are entrenched against the German
hordes, fortunately has dwindled il
the telling. One hundred and sixty
six lives were lost in the torpedoina
fthe British transport Tuscania of
the Irish coast at dusk Tuesray, ac-
cording to the latest report. Among
those lost We're 147 americans.
The ship carried 2.401 souls, includ-
ing 2,030 United States army foresters,
engineers, supply train men, military
police and aero units, and the first
meager details Wednesday night indi-
Gated that the death list due TO the
steamers sinking might be approxi-
mately 1000. A later estimate that
night, however, gave 267 as the num-
Der missing. Thursday morning the
figure was reduced TO 210 and this in
turn was lowered to 166. The rescued
therefore number 2.235.
The Tuscania, liner of 14,34S tons
gross, was one of a strongly guarded
convoy and was proceeding eastward
off the north coast of Ireland. The
shore line was visible from the star
board side through the dusk of oncom-
ing night, and it was from this direc-
ton that the lurking German subma-
r-inn iii har h,+
its mark in the boiler room of the
steamer. A second torpedo was seen
TO pass harmlessly astern.
Submarine Probably Sunk
Apparently retribution at once befell
the enemy underwater boat Accord
ing to the testimony of an American
officer, who was one of the last men
to leave the Tuscania, a British de-
stroyer dashed toward the evident To-
cation of the attacker and dropped |
depth bombs that resulted in the ex-
pressive phrase of the submarine hunt |
ers of the enemy being dome in"
The explosion of the torpedo had i'm |
mediately caused tremendous list I
and made the launching of lifeboats
$1,000
darkness. Almost all the loss of life
and the sustaining of injuries occurred
because Of this condition. as there was
no panic and the liner remained afloat
two hours. Many patrol boats as
sisted the destroyers in the work of
rescue and the survivors were landed
at various Irish and Scottish ports,
where medical attention was given the
injured and the others were made COM |
The only two women on board, the {
accounts say. Mrs. Col 5
ms, and Mrs. Parsons. went down a
'Ope into .lifeboat. The former said 5
hat when their boat left the Tuscania f
many of tine troops had been thrown '
'ut in lowering the next boat. 5
American officers among the sur S
-ivors testified to the courage of their i
men while they faced an acute emer- c
,ency of the ship sinking in the night
With no assurance that the German i
would not send another 4
eath dealing torpedo to hasten her a
beneath the waves.
British officials likewise praise the
discipline and steadfastness of the :.
americans and the London press is !;
lvish with ecomiums of their stoi- q
ism.
Military Units Aboard. Ii
Because fthe nature of the military W
rganizations carried by the ship the
ar department announced that it
ould be impossible to say definitely
hat troops were aboard until the list
survivors was received. Later, how
ver, the adjutant generals office W
ade the list public. 1t follows: I.
Headquarters detachment and COM Il
mics d, e and f of the Twentieth u
lgineers.
10th engineer train.
10th engineer train. III
107th military police. II
10th supply train. ~
No. 100 aero squadron. u
15Sth aero squadron. q
213th aero squadron.
detachments Nos
d 2 of the 32nd division.
Fifty-one casual officers. Be
Michigan and Wisconsin Men. to
Thus all the soldiers are former fo
isconsin and Michigan guardsmen to
cept those in the aero squadron, Pi
10 probably were recruited from all We
rts of the country. tn
Neither the dispatch to the war de- tul
rtment, nor that to the state depart ex
mt referred to the fate of the men, SUI
rs of the Tuscania's crew. Undoubt- fri
Kaiser Has Elaborate Funeral.
Columbus O., Feb. 9.-Following a