Republican farmer., 1918-05-03
All Passengers Aboard
Rescued By Sailors
From Destroyers.
Y. M. C.. A. WORKERS
ABOARD VESSEL
Ship Blew Up and Sank
Three Minutes After
Being Torpedoed.

LONDON, April IA party OF
I57 American army Y. M. C. A.
workers under Arthur E. Hun
gerford arrived in London last
night. The ship on which they
sailed was torpedoed yesterday
morning and sank in ~ min
yates. All the passengers and
Jail but three of the crew were
saved.
The passengers were picked up in
l1feboats and landed at a British port.
The Americans are all safe and well.
On their arrival in London they were
taken in charge by the American Y.
NJ. c. A. and Red Cross.
The number of persons on board
the vessel was about $50.
One of the ships officers told the
Associated Press that the Americans
had conducted themselves in an ad-
mirable manner. They were the bet
ter able to do this because they had
spent most of their time aboard the
ship in military drills and daily and
nightly lifeboat drills. Every man
knew his station and duties as if by
instinct
Destroyers were sent Immediately to
the rescue and all the lifeboats were
picked up within half an hour.
The vessel was struck amidships
while proceeding in a large convoy
under the protection of several de-
stroyers. 1t was proceeding at about
10 knots, in bright moonlight when
struck. There was an immediate
neaVy list, and three minutes later the
boilers blew up, extinguishing the
lights throughout the ship.
! The submarine was not seen at the
time the vessel was torpedoed, but
several of the survivors told a story
OF periscope appearing for a mo-
ment in the midst of the lifeboats.
1t was said that the periscope was
seen from nearby torpedo boats which
however, did not dare fire for fear of
hitting the lifeboats," said the Rev.
Charles Vickery of Salina, Kansas
IF thep eriscope did appear it was
only for brief moment. While the
lifeboats were being picked up one
|
circled the spot, dropping several
depth bombs"
The Americans behaved like vet
Grams and were of the greatest assist
ance in launching the lifeboats and
handling them" said one of the Off
GERS Of the ship.
Two of the members of the crew
who lost their lives were caught be-
low and went down with the ship. The
third man was the ships baker, who
after reaching his life boat station,
went back for his money belt.
The discipline on board the ship
was excellent. Although the time
was brief, all the boats were launch
ed SUCCESSFULLY. Nest of the Ameri-
cans had little clothing and no bag
gage. Several of them lost tkeir pass
ports and all their money.
Gale Zeeman of Los Angeles, and
E. C. Pullen of New York state had
narrow escapes in getting into life
boats. Each caught his feet in one
Of the ropes with which his boat was
lowered. Mr.. Zeeman was thrown
into the water head downward with
his feet tangled, but was saved by
Robert Peckham of Springfield, Mass,
who cut the rope and dragged Mr..
zeeman into the lifeboat. Mr.. Pullen
J was able to get clear of the rope by
: his own efforts.
Among the other passengers Mr..
dan Mrs. Thomas Thring had the most
exciting experience. Mr.. Thring is an
Australian who was invaded from
, the British army several months ago.
| The torpedo struck just beneath the
cabin. Me. and Mrs. Thring were
thrown from their berth and injured
severely. The stateroom door was
jammed so that it could not be open
, ed. Mr.. Thring broke the partition
j and carried his unconscious wife to
the deck, where he, too, fell uncon-
scious. Both were carried to life
boat by Arthur Toggne, Y. NJ. c. A.
man from Chicago.
After being taken aboard the de-
stroyers the survivors had a trip at
five hours to port where a crowd gaon-
cred at the pier to meet them.
Among the crowd was V1scount
French, commander of the home de-
lenses, who happened to be IN port.
There was a long delay in get
ting our destroyer into her berth"
said the Rev. H. S. Madison OF Flint
Mich. "I suggested to the men that
we gather at the bow and show we
were in good spirits by singing. We
sang the Star Spangled Banner, God
Save the King and onward Christian
!. Soldier, and the crowd on shore
cheered."
Jefferson City, Mo, April 26-Judge