The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-10-14
364 LIVES LOST
AbOlRD OTRANT TO


Kashmir collided in the north channel
between Scotland and Ireland last sun
day.
Three hundred American soldiers ana
thirty French sailors. and 200 mem
bers Of the crew Of the Otranto nave
been landed at port in northern Ire
land. Sixteen other survivors nave
been picked up at Islay.
More than 200 bodies have been re-
covered and many Of them have been
buried.
The Otranto is total wreck On the
island Of Islay. The Kashmir landed
Its troops at Scottish port without
loss OF life.
The troop ships collided while
heavy storm was raging and the OF
fanto, with gaping hole in her side.
then drifted helplessly toward the
rocky coast
number OF the troops on board
We're from the interior of the United
States and were without experience at
sea. They had preferred to remain on
the bigger ship rather than risk jump
ing to the small destroyer Mounsey.
which CALAMITY came to the rescue
and they seemed to be cheered by the
sight of land
The hopes of the men that they
would be able to make a safe landing,
however, We're dispelled by the OF
rantos captain, when ne shouted from
the bridge: We'll. boys, we will have
to swim for it,
About that time the troop ship slid
with hardly jar onto shelving rock
which, as a wave receded, t.t IFS
teeth into the ships timber and held
her in vise-lfke grip. After that the
tragedy moved quickly to its climax
no FIN, - ~ -, h.
conferred on the pinioned and helpless
vessel and in league with the vicious
sea which began to rend and tear herll
to pieces. The steel deck house was
Wrenched bodily from its rastenings
by the enormous waves and was hur-
ed into the breakers, sweeping many
men away with it,
The ship had struck about a mile
from shore and on the cliffs stood |
groups of islanders eager to send aid
but which it was impossible even to
attempt. Owing to the terrific wind |
there was no chance of getting a line |
to the ship which was now fast break |
ing up.
Scores CT men began to jump and !
many were Immediately seized by the |
waves and hurled against the sides OF
the ship.
Aout noon the Otranto was lifted On
the crest of high comber and dashed
back to the rock SO violently that the
vessel roke squarely in two. The mast |
snapped short killing men as it TELL
One section of the hulk turned side
wise, emptying all hands still cling
ing ito the deck into the boiling surf |
The other section proved a plaything
of the waves and speedily was ground
to pieces on the rocks.
~
ships company now are struggling in |
the water. The slim chance they |
might have had Of getting ashore was
virtually dissipated the wreckage
from the ship through which the best
swimmers were unable to win their
way.
The experience related by William
Richards typifieS that of the others
but perhaps is a bit more sensational.
He said: l.
THE fellows were fine. We knew
when the ship went fast on the rocks
so Tar out we would not have a chance
10 save our skins. But we all seemed
to make a good try
"A wave washed me off and / man.
aged to get clear Of the ship. The first
man | recognized in the water was the
captain, who was thrown overheard
when the mast broke away He was .
standing straight up, treading water
and looking out for something toi
grasp.
There were three men on a mat
.ress riding into shore as if they We're .
enjoying life but while | watched them
md wished | were on it too, big
'oller swept them all off and banged
hem against the rocks
Il saw five or six others hanging on
IN oil !
he thin RATS lowered from the ship.
,ut every raft / saw was smashed to
pieces against the vessel or on the
ocks. .
a big roller carried me into a
lind of cleft in the rocks and ] was
hrOwn upon the side. I must have
passed out. When | came to l saw
wo British soldiers on the other side :
# the ravine. They threw me rope
which | made fast and crossed hand
Joseph Pollock said he believed many
more of the soldiers would have been
aved but for the steep banks of the :
lifts. In one little cove twenty-eight |
,odies We're counted
All the Americans voiced their deep
to the Islanders for the tent
Ter care they gave the men. The sur ,
lVors were put to bed in private /
touseS and were SO well provided for
II every way that no one wished to
cave when the relief ship arrived.
As was the case with the victims of
he troop ship, the loss of the Or
anto's papers prevents the army au-
horities from learning the names OF
he missing. All the names OF theI
urvivors are being cabled 70 Wash
ngton. where they will be checked
gainst the full list kept at the port | :
rom which the vessel sailed. In this
fay the list OF the dead will be as