Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-10-12
372 SOLDIERS
fNn.$:n,,>d fensvn Rana 0nAl

nearly Il hours the survivors all vet
through and many badly injured
were exposed to the fury OF the vino
and waves until the destroyer made
port. Fifity-five were hurried into
waiting ambulances and ruched to
hospitals. Others were taken to a
British barrack where the American
Red Crosa fitted them out with .
complete change Of clothes and o.
were given hot food and stimulants.
Many of them were weak from ex-
posture and strain. Private Raymond
Simpson died on the destroyer from
injuries and was buried today. The
Otranto was the flagship o. large
convoy including the Kashmir which,
as the result Of heavy gale. became
unmanageable. A thick rain closed
in on the conveys Sunday morning on
the north coast Of Ireland and about
nine o'clock the kashmir rammed the
Otranto amidships.
Although the Otranto's commander
realized that the ship probably was
fatally damaged, he ordered the other
vessels to proceed, including the
Kashmir. which was able to continue
under her own steam and eventually
made port. The Otranto's case
seemed hopeless. The gale was then
at it's worst and the seas were run
mig IS feet high. There was no
chance of launching the boats and as
the engine had stopped as result OF
the fires being put out by the In
pouring water the big vessel was at
the mercy of the waves and drifted
rapidly before the storm.
Soon the ship began to list and the
soldiers and crew, under perfect dis
cipline, moved in "A body to the other
side, thus preventing the vessel from
capsizing. Suddenly through the
mist loomed a destroyer which had
picked up the other Otrantos distress
signals. The destroyer herself was
partially disabled by engine trouble.
Seven of the Otrantos boats were
lowered to the water to act as buff
fer for the destroyer which wonderful
seamanship manoeuvered close to the
steamers side. The order to abandon
ship was given and the officer COM
handing the troops instructed the
:ntn to remove their overcoats and
shoes. Scores then began leapins
from rails 40 feet to the 6eStroyers
deck.
Many of these who reached the
deck of the vessel suffered broken
bones or otherwise were hurt. Those
who missed the deck Of tine destroy =
err went to almost instant death. Four
times the battered destroyer came
alongside and each time the previous
scenes were repeated. At the end Of
the fourth trip she had 80 Americans.
236 of the crew. 30 French sailors ard
enc British officer. The boat was full
and having done all possible. she
started for port. The survivors saw
the Otranto drifting helplessiy to-
ward the racks as they started to-
ward the coast. fhe destroyer bare
ly had time to send i brief message
when her wireless was carried away
The little overloaded vessel had {,
rough trip to port. Numbers Of bod
les were today being washed upon
the shore 1t was reported that n.
had been counted at noon and nearly
all Of them had been identified. The
victims are to be collected at the
most suitable place and buried there
A boat left Liverpool today With
material for collins, SO laborers and
carpenters and chaplains to conduct
the funerals. Every grave will be
marked and charted SO that it will be
possible to locate every man.