The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-13
TROOPS ON OTRANTA
MET DEATH COOLLY


Special Gable DespafcA to TEE 5rS from tie
London Ti.ss serrics.
Copyright 1915: all rtehts reserved.
LONDON. Oct. t2.--Survivors OF the
wreck Of the otranto. the transport
which was rammed and sunk OF the
north coast Of Ireland by the Peninsular
and Oriental liner Kashmir. causing the
loss Of nearly 400 American soldiers.
testified TO the heroism Of the Americans
and OF the officers and crew Of the
otranto and the British destroyer
Mounsey, which CALAMITY went 70 the
rescue OF the stricken transport.
A graphic account of the wreck was
given by T. L. Campbell. an American
Y. N. c. A. secretary from Memphis Mr..
Campbell was on his way TO France. II
was his first sea trip. He was accom-
panied by c. A. Carpenter. another Y. NJ
c. A. secretary. who ~ r. believed was
lost. Like the other survivors Mr.. Camp
bell 10 badly shaken as result Of the
terrible ordeal.
-on October g." he said, "the storm
increased greatly In violence. It was
gtili. worse on the morning OF the 9Th.
and as q result another transport, the
Kashmir. got out OF control owing to the
DISCRIMINATION OF her steering gear.
While in this helpless condition she beat
in against the side OF the otranto. hit
ting our vessel amidship and tearing a
great hole in her side. This was at 0
o'clock Sunday morning.
AT that time we were eight miles from
the Irish coast, and although badly dam
aged. the Otranto continued TO steam
along for another hour. BY that time
20 much water had poured into the hold
Of the vessel that vher engines stopped
and we drifted closer toward shore. I'm
fortunately that part Of the Irish coast
Is very rocky. the steep cliffs rising
almost perpendicularly out Of the sea-
which made II impossible for W 10 beach
our ship. although our captain did man
age to get his vessel anchored.
eat 10 O'Clock the British destroyer
Mounsey came in response to our Q 8
calls. She circled around the stern OF
the Otranto. and then pulled up to the
starboard side. thus affording US some
protection against the raging sea. The
waves were running 20 high that Capt.
Davidon Of the Otranto advised Lieut.
Commander Craven OF the Mounsey to
keep away. To this Commander Craven
replied that ne was determined to give
all assistance possible. as there was no
other chance for the passengers on the
Otranto to be saved.
''ManeuvrinS In the manner indicated
the Mounsey made four trips to the
Otranto's side. coming alongside and
then steering of with the heavy seas
Two OF the Iifeboats had been let
half way down, not with any idea of
taking of men. for the seas were too
heavy, but to act as buffers when the
Mounsey came alongside. Each time the
Mounsey came alongside her officers
shouted to our men to cheer them and
to tell them 10 keep stiff upper lip,
assuring them they would be taken on.
when the men began to Jump to the
destroyer the sight was heartbreaking
Some Of our boys landed on the smaller
boats decks. only TO be swept immedi-
ateiy into the sea Others managed 10
cling to the destroyer. Some missed al
together and fell into the sea between
the two boats. I Jumped a distance Of
about fifteen feet and landed on the
edge OF the destroyer's deck, and but
for the fact that had on my heavy
woollen socks I certainly would have
slipped into the sea These gave me
footing, 30 that ] was able to grasp one
of tho cables which form the railing on
the warship's deck.
IAN OF those who were saved were
Immediately sent below. where they re-
ceiyed all possible attention, though the
suffering Of some OF the wounded was
terrible"