New-York tribune., 1918-06-05
Storm Tosses
Survivors of
TheCarolina
Ten Boats Struggle il
High Seas at Night;
16 Lives Lost

LEWES, Del, June 4.-Nineteen sur
vivors. passengers and crew of the
steamship Carolina were landed here
to-day. They brought narrowing tale
of the sea, the news of the loss of
sixteen of their number and a remark
able rescue of girl while they drifted
helplessly on the ocean during a Sc
we're thunderstorm Sunday night
Ten boats left the Carolina before
she was sunk by the German subma-
rine U37. All passed through the
same storm and the survivors here said
they had felt sure all were lost. They
expressed great JOY when informed
that most of the Carolina's company
had been saved.
The nineteen persons landed here
were brought in by a British vessel
that picked them up more than twenty
five miles of the Delaware Capes They
were taken in charge by the naval au-
thorities and cared for at the station
near Cape Heniopen. In the meantime
no one was permitted to see them. but
they made full statements to naval Of
ficers. None of them had any knowl-
edge that the submarine had shelled
the lifeboats.
Survivors Depart for New York
The story of the survivors did not
become public until they were taken
to the railroad station late this after
noon and departed for New York. One
of fholr h0r Jo<o
He IS German member of the crew
and will be held pending an investiga-
ton.
According to the survivors, the Caro-
lima was warned late Sunday afternoon
by wireless to look out for submarines
Ihc steamer was advised that three
masted schooner had just been sunk
and was cautioned not to show lights
At 6 o'clock Sunday evening a sub
marine appeared above the surface
close to the Carolina. She was about
800 feet long. survivors said. and later
was identified as the U-37.
"The submarine signalled something
which our captain could not make out"
said one of the survivors, land then
the U-boat raised the German flag.
We were ordered to heave-to and the
captain, fearing that the submarine
would she'll the steamer if he did not
obey the order, signalled the engineer
to reverse the engines and stop.
"A German officer with an armed
guard came alongside and gave orders
to our captain to lower all boats and
leave the ship in twenty minutes. OF
course, it would be useless to say that
none of US was frightened, for where
there are more than 800 persons on
ship about to be sunk there must be
some timid ones. Good order was main
tanned, however. The sea was smooth
and there appeared to be rev elements
of danger. Nobody thought of storm
and the German officers appeared to
show consideration to the passengers
as they hurried to leave the steamer
"Ten boats were lowered and every
body got in. There was little or no con-
fusion. All the time the submarine lay
as close as possible, members of her
crew standing on her deck watching US
or busying themselves about the boat.
After all the lifebaats had swung
away from the Carolina the German
officers aboard the abandoned steamer
hailed one of the lifeboats and ordered
her to return.
Called Back to Get Fireman
"This frightened many in the other
lifeboats, but after time we found
out the reason for the Germans ac-
ton. In going through the steamer he
found fireman who had been left be-
hind and he had ordered the lifeboat to
return for him.
"When this last boat was cleared
Of the ship again the Germans left the