The Robesonian., 1918-06-10
STORY OF SURVIVORS.
borrowing Tale of the Seas Told b.
Survivors of Submarined Steam
ship Carolina.

the submarined steamship Carolina
were landed at Lewes, Del, Tuesday
and brought a narrowing tale OF the
seas, the news Of the loss of sixteen
of their number and a remark Die
rescue of a girl while they drIted
HELPLESS on the ocean during severe
thunder storm Sunday night.
Ten boats left the Carolina before
she was sunk by the German supna-
rine U-37. All passed through the
same storm and the survivors at Lew
es said they felt sure all were lost.
They expressed great joy when In
formed that most of the Carolina S
company had been saved.
The l9 persons landed at Lewes
were brought in by a British vessel
that picked them up more than %
miles off the Delaware capes.
According to the survivors the Car
olina was warned late Sunday after
noon by wireless to look out for sub
marines. The steamer was advised
that three-masted schooner had just
been sunk and was cautioned not to
show lights. At 6 o'clock Sunday
evening submarine appeared above
the surface close to the Carolina. She
was about $50 feet long, survivors
said, and later was identified as the
U-37.
The submarine signaled something
which our captain could not. make
out" said a survivor, "and then the
U-boat raised the German flag. We
were ordered to heave-to and the cap
tain fearing that the submarine would
shell the steamer if he did not obey
the order, signaled the engineer to
reverse the engines and stop.
Ordered off in 20 Minutes.
"a German officer with an armed
guard came alongside and gave or
ders 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
there were more than 800 on ship
about to be sunk there must be some
timid ones. Good order was maintain
ed, however. The sea was smooth and
there appeared to be no new elements
of danger.
"Nobody thought of a storm and the
German officer appeared to show con-
sideration to the passengers as they
hurried to leave the steamer. In go
ing through the steamer the Germans
found fireman who had been left be-
! hind and he ordered lifeboat to re-
turn for him.
'When this last boat was clear the
Germans shelled the Carolina sever
times. Then she burst into flames
sinking slowly.
"After we had drifted for 1 do MOI
know how long there were faint flash
es of lightning on the horizon and la
ter when the puffy wind began tt
strengthen we instictively knew there
was trouble ahead.
Storm, High Waves, Darkness.
"The storm came quicker than We
expected it. The wind blew like 3
gale and kicked up a nasty sea. The
boats pitched and soon became separ
ated. We, who were in motor
launch, seemed to be alone in th'
storm. Rougher and rougher became
the water and the boat rolled ant
pitched. Finally she capsized and al
of the thirty-five in her were thrown
into the sea. She was righted ans
capsized again while we clung to her
] This occurred several times. Th'
4 storm passed and the sea began t'
calm. It was pitch dark.
| FINALLY we kept the launch rightet
but she was full Of water. We cluns
to her and bailed out the water witt
our hands. Some could not stand tn
strain, became exhausted, let g
their hold and sank. It was terrible
We bailed out enough water to lie
one of US in. Then he bailed furious.
and enough water was scooped out t
permit second to get into the launch
We kept on bail;ng until the launc
was able to bear the weight of thir
and a fourth.
"We kept this up all night. Whe
the last was helped over the side w
found that there were but nineteen
us. Sixteen had gone.
"With the coming Of daylight Tn
hopes of the survivors rose with tn
sun. The sea had calmed, but day
light revealed nothing but the broa
expanse of the Atlantic. All hand
E came to the conclusion that none {
n the other boats had safely com
: through the storm and that all
e them must have perished.
I "After awhile an object was seen
e ,he water. There was no way
reach it, as the launch had lost he
gasoline and oars. The launch, nov
ever, dritted close and the survivor
were startled to discover girl all'
ct;,cino to tire bodies of two browne