Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-02-08
BODIES OF44
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ton on the boat deck.
There stood several privates at at
tention," he said, awaiting my orders
to launch the boats. In less time than
it takes to tell it they were Joined by
the requisite number. 1t was surprising
to see how these new soldiers carried
out their duties like veterans.
I'VE got the first boat down to the sa-
loon deck, where it was promptly filled
with soldiers nd was lowered into the
water without mishap. The second
boat, however, was being lowered when
the wind carried it onto another life
boat, crushing it and several Of the oc-
cupants. We then launched three more
without further trouble
After seeing the men reach the water
eafely Lieut.. Hall let himself down by
rope.
Lieut.. Wallace Patterson Of Cleveland
followed him down the rope and, much to
their surprise. they fell into the last boat
launched. The boat was loaded to the
waterline with 65 men who took turns at
the oars for three hours until they were
rescued by trawler.
Rcd Cross Commission at Hand
i ne ITSC Train hSIC lOuos Sui iiCu SopN'
Edgar Wells. assistant military attache
of the American embassy at London, ana
Capt. r. Stuart Smith, deputy commits
soner in Great Britain for the Ameri
can Red Cross. They visited the Amen
can survivors confined in the infirmary
and 70 Americans in the military hospital
and the county infirmary.
Little hope was expressed here tonight
that any additional survivors would be
found. A British destroyer and several
trawlers cruised in the vicinity Of the
disaster all of last night. The search.
however. will be continued as long as
there is any hope of finding other sur
vivors.
through the Tuscania's sudden heavy list
after being torpedoed. which caused
faulty launching of the lifeboats.
Torpedo Struck Amidships
The German torpedo struck the Tuscs-
MIA a vital blow amidships. causing her
to list almost Immediately to starboard.
Instead of plunging forward in this
fashion. as most vessels do under the
circumstances the Tuscania stopped
uedu "A SUltST rail- Through Hcl anu SiS
heeled over at a dangerous angle. The
list to starboard so elevated the lifeboats
on the port side as to render them v!rtu-
ally useless and only a few OF the boats
on that side were launched.
The first of these struck the water un-
evenly capsizing and throwing the oc-
cupants into the sea- After that several
boats were launched successfully. but the
vessels list became more nerilous and
some of the men who were trying to get
into the boats from the starboard side
now climbed along the deck to the rail, to
which they chung.
Many by this time had donned 1ifebelts
and jumped overheard. Hundreds OF 9TH
ers were preparing to follow this exam
pie when a British destroyer boldly drew
up on the starboard side Of the Tuscania.
When the men saw this many of them
leaped from the boat hnd saloon decks to
that of the waiting destroyer. This de-
stroyer took off several hundred men. all
she could carry, and moved away
As she steamed away with her deck
loaded down with Americans another
British destroyer emerged out of the
darkness on the Tuscania's port side.
now high out OF water There was anoth-
err scramble to reach the eleyated port
side. some Of them sliding down the in
cline by the aid Of ropes and others on
their hands and knees.
All the time the rescue work was pro-
crossing. cool heads were getting the
few other lifeboats afoat Despite the
many difficulties the crew behaved well
and the GOODNESS of the American soldiers
was the subject Of commentator in afi- |
davits by the boats officers.