New-York tribune., 1918-07-03

scesscd with the idea that American
aviators were aboard, and 1t took us
some time to convince them otherwise.
Almost the first words they used when
approaching our lifeboat we're: Where
are the flying otficcrs?"
''This was when the German com
mander ordered us to come alongside
quicUy We explained that the slight
delay in the darkness was due to an
endeavor to rescue a man in the water.
Then it was that the German COM
mander threatened us, again asking:
where are those Americans :? and then
shot over our heads with his revolver,
and made more threats.
Captain Sylvester (master of the
hospital ship went aboard the sub
marine first, remaining perhaps five or
ten minutes. Then they came after
me. The second officer of the subma-
rine grabbed me by the hand and |
was jerked aboard, II bone in my foot
being broken.
g" ascertained afterwards that the
Germans had questioned Sylvester as
to whether wireless message had
been dispatched, asking for assistance,
and about American flying officers.
Finally the second Office returned
to the lifeboat, and the submarine be.
gan running down the wreckage and
any floating object.
"The submarine" continued Maj jor
Lyon, "a little later made for us, miss
ing our stern by two feet. believe
the Germans tried to ram us, but why
they did no. she'll us or 1un us down
we could not understand. After our
experience we all agreed that their
first intentions were to s,rk without
trace, but why they spared us is IN
cxplcablc unless it was because most
of the survivors in our boat are men
oe the sea, and they tell me there is a
sort of irccmasonry among them
"As the submarine disappeared IN
the darkness we heard ten or twelve
shots, one over our heads. shall
never forget the cries of the helpless
men in the water clinging to the
wreckurc that night. While the sea
was rolling, it was not really rough,
ard | believe that if the Germans had
rot delayed us we would have been
able to assist quite a number.
81 was in the smoking room when we
were torpedoed. | first went to the
statcrooms of several nurses. but all
were empty. | saw one nurse ascend.
ing the companionway, but never got
another glance Of the women, although
one survivor said that he saw boat
with twelve of them capsizc.
"Despite the darkness, there was no
panic and no cries for help until an
individual reached the water. My boat
was the last to leave the ship.
"Thc Llandovcry Castle began set
tling rapidly, first listing and then
aightening herself as the bow began
pointing skyward. We were within
forty feet as she settled, going down
SO gradually that we did not notice
oil, l,O
ship showed the bow sticking straight
UP out of the water like giant wound
ed shark and going to her death with
out struggle This was before our
experience aboard the submarine.
"The Germans sent us ahoat into the
darkness without word Of farewell,
suggestion, direction or anything. But
we were all thankful to get away from
them. The uncertainty of our posi-
ton overcamc thoughts Of my own in
jury, but. above all, | could not help
wonder what had become of the others.
After the submarine disappeared with a
swish, all was stillness-a terrible
stiffness. There were no more cries
for help heard.
Then long night. After thirty
six hours we were rescued by Brit
ish destroyer, and here | am with
every comfort and attention. But |
cannot help but feel that if the Ger,
mans had not interfered, we could
POSSIBLY have saved many of those poor
souls in the water clinging to wreck
age and crying for help that never
came"
Major Lyon formerly lived in Van.
couver. British Columbia, but entered
the medical service from his home
town, Edinburgh.
That the sinking Of hospital ships
is deliberate policy on the part
of the Germans now is placed
beyond all doubt by the torpedo
ing of the British hospital ship Liam
dovery Castle, the newspapers say in
their editorial comment to-day.
an the presence of such unspeakablc
infamy deliberately repeated" says
"The Daily Chronicle" sit is a waste
Of breath to reiterate the abhorrence
which everybody with a spark of civil
lied sense must feel. But we would
invite the German people to ask them
selves what is the use of their states
men appealing, like Foreign Secretary
Won Kuehlmann, to be credited with
'probity and honor while crimes SO
odious, dshonorable and unashSmed ID
continue to be carried out by the orders
of their government