New-York tribune., 1918-02-08
Some Jumped Overheard

forever.
The following official communica-
ton was given our early this after
noon:
The Anchor liner Tuscania, Cap
tain J. l.. Henderson. was torpe-
docd on The night of the 5th of
February, off the Irish coast, while
carrying United States troops
Following are the approximate
number saved:
United States military officers.
10; men, 1885.
Crcw-Officers, 16; men, 1875.
Passengers, 3.
Not specified, 80.
The total number aboard, 1897.
Total saved, 2,187.
The foregoing are approximate
figures, hut as correct as can be
given at present.
A later statement from the Ad-
miralty, made public shortly after /
o'clock, confirmed the earlier figures.
which, however, were superseded by
late figures direct for Ireland.
Rescued From Raft
Sergeant E. C. Dubuque and Sergeant
Muller, both of Brooklyn, were rescued
from raft by coasting schooner.
The sergeants say that the Tuscania
took tremendous list to starboard
almost as soon as she was hit. AL
most all the lifeboats on that side
were either blown into the air or other
wise rendered useless.
Sergeant Dubuque said the boat to
which he. had been assigned was shat.
tered by the explosion. He clamberad
over to the port side the best way be
could and was placed in boat with
ten or twelve other men.
When they had been lowered about
halfway down the ropes became d,s-
arranged. They were all thrown into
the water. There was a rather heavy
sea, but the sergeant was able to swim
to the stern Of the liner and climbed
on raft. There he found Sergeant
Muller.
Sergeant Dubuque said he saw many
men in the sea. Collapsible RATS were
thrown overheard to enable those who
were struggling in the water to save
themselves. Some of these RATS struck
loaded boats. The sergeant said he
believed quite a number o. them must
have been killed in this way
The sergeant and the others on the
raft we're at the point of collapse when
picked up, but they soon recovered
They are under the care of DR.. Lang
ers, Of New York, who has been in the
United States service for some time.
Alison burlington, of New Hampshire
college student, said:
II was on the upper deck when the
torpedo struck the vessel on the star
board side. There was a terrific ex-
plosion. | went to the stairs to reach
my station.
"The dynamo was blown up by the
explosion, but the auxiliary plant was
put into operation Immediately.
Lifeboat Chains Broke
There was great difficulty in lower
ing our lifeboat, the chains being
broken and the tackles entangled. Sew
cral boats capsiZed and the struggle
in the water of the men thrown out
added to the tragedy.
II entered a boat with forty others,
but it became filled with water and we
had to jump out. | caught two oars
which had been lashed together and
held on. | was in the water for three
hours before ! was picked up"
Thomas Smith, of Glasgow, a boat
swans mate on the Tuscania, said the
steamer was proceeding to an English
port under convoy.
AT 5:45 o'clock on Tuesday evening"
he continued, 81 was in No room.
talking with a fellow boatswain, VIXEN
the vessel hceling over. said to my
mate: They've got her now
1--WE commenced lowering boats on
the starboard side. The soldiers were
lined up on deck, waiting for the boats.
Unfortunately many jumped overheard.
Il found the boat at No. 8 station.
TO which l proceeded, had been blown
to pieces. | then helped to get boats
ga, 9-B and &C away, with full com
plements, and the Second Officer GOT
boats to 7 safely away.
After seeing these launched I pro
ceeded to the other deck, where I
launched a raft. picked up fourteen
soldiers and two of the ships company
who were swimming about. We had 70
oars, and had 10 pacdlc along with our
hands We were picked up at 9 o'clock
IN the evening and landed Wednesday
morning.
News OF the sinking of the Tuscania
reached the American military au
thorlties here Wednesday morning.
Additional machinery for relief work
immediately was put into action and
several score officials of the American
army and navy left here during the
day for Ireland. Vice Admiral William
:. Sims, commander of the American
destroyer squadron in European
waters. who now is in Rome for a few
days, was notified by telegram of the
disaster.
The night boat train, which goes di-
rect to the PORT where the majority
of the survivors was landed was
crowded to overfowing. The pas
sengers included many American Red
Cross workers, representatives of the
Y. M. G. A. and u large number of
military and naval men.
A correspondent of the Associated
Press, travelling on this train, found
every seat taken half hour before
leaving time and a number of passen-
gers standing in the asles for the all
night trip.
The American Red Cross Headouar-
tcrs here dispatched Captain Edgar II.
Wells and Captain Smith TO Belfast
Immediately news of the torpcdoing of
the Tuscania was received. They were
Instructed to spend all money needed
for supplies for the survivors. A tele-
gram also was sent 70 the American
Consulate at Belfast, asking that
money and supplies for immediate
needs be provided.
The British Red Cross, which has