The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-08
WHILE SHIP SINKS
LOunged on Deck
and Smoked Awaiting Rescue.
Discussed Misfortune of Being
Caught on Last Lap of Trip.

London, Feb. S.-The correspondent
of the Press association at an Irish
port says survivors there of the Tus-
cania were greatly relieved to hear of
the safe arrival elsewhere of Major
Benjamin F. Wade of Washington,
commander of a contingent of the
steamer, and hundreds of American
troops.
The only two women on board, the
correspondents account says, Mrs
Collins and Mrs. Parsons went down a
rope into a lifeboat-s The former said
that when their boat left the Tuscania
many of the troops had been thrown
out in lowering the next boat.
I'VE were Immediately surrounded
BELTS" she said. 1--WE had only two
men in our boat who could manage
the oars. They did their best, and as
we came across a swimming or float
ing man we gathered him into the
boat. Soon the boat was full. Event
ually we got on board a destroyer. 1
don't remember a harder bit of work"
Women Were Heroines.
A soldier who heard Mrs. Collins, a
stewardess, tell the story, said:
"Yes, and you did as much as the
best man in the world could have
done. I was in your boat and saw you"
A young officer, answering ques-
waiting for the destroyers after the
first excitement was over. said:
"Oh, we soon steadied down,
lounged about and smoked, but we
did not venture below to gather up our
belongings for fear the ship would
the misfortune of crossing the Atlantic
only to be caught in the last lap. We
cheered the first destroyer which came
alongside, and its men cheered US
Their work was magnificent and only
when they saw they could save no
more life did they leave the scene
1t was thought we'll to make for diff
ferent ports, and here I am among
people who have overwhelmed us with
kindness"
Wouldn't Have Missed 1t.
A young trooper, when asked what
he thought of the experience, said he
would not have missed it for anything.
'I was on deck talking to my
chum," he went on, when l heard a
bang, and up went a whole heap of
wreckage and water over our heads.
l was drenched to the skin Nobody
screamed. but you can imagine how 1t
felt to stand shivering in the dark
ness not knowing when we would get
another shot that would seno the boat
to the bottom
Continue Journey.
Belfast Ireland, Feb. 8.-Undaunt-
ed by their experiences in the torpedo
ing of the transport Tuscania, Ameri-
can soldiers buckled down today to
prepare themselves for revenge against
the Huns-via the American front in
France.
Two trainloads of survivors were
sent to military camp somewhere in
Great Britain where they will under
go training as soon as the equlpment
lost on the Tuscania has been replaced.
The majority of these were medical
corps men, engineers, foresters and
aviators.
$40 Landed in Scotland.
Washington, Feb. 8.-Survivors of
the Tuscania to the number of 2,O35
| have been landed at Irish and Scotch
announced today. This included off,
GERS. men, crew and passengers. This
report however, is apparently incom-
plete.
The navy department statement fol-
lows:
"The navy department today re-
ceived a cablegram announcing rs Of
ficers and 1874 enlisted men of the
army who sailed on the transport
| Tuscania, have been landed at Bun
I cranna, Ireland; that sixteen officers
and seamen of the crew have been
landed at Larne and that approximate
ly $40 officers and enlisted men of
| the army have been landed at ISlay,
Scotland
Many in Hospitals.
"In addition, approximately ninety
nine soldiers and members of the crew
are in the military hospital at London
derry, stem soldiers are in Lough Foyle
| hospital at Londonderry, and nine sol
diers and two of the crew are in the
county infirmary at Londonderry.
"Our reports concerning the sinking
of the Tuscania are very sketchy," said
| Secretary 7
no confirmation of the British state
| ment that the submarine also was
sunk. 1 shall be delighted if it is"
KILL 5000 IN BATTLE