The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1918-10-16
U. S. TRANSPORT
WRECKED; 1854
SOLDIERS LOST
Bodies OF 200 Soldiers Washed
Up on the Scotch
Coast.
COLLISION DURING A STORM
Twelve Thousand-Ton British Ship
otranto, Carrying American Troops,
Sunk in Crash Between Irish
and Scottish Coasts.

anu OCottiSn SodSlS.
London, Oct. 14.-Alore than $50
American soldiers were lost on the
transport Otranto. sunk in the col
ision with the steamer Kashmir off
the south Scottish coast. This devel-
cped from checking the Otranto's list
ut American army headquarters,
where It was found the death roll of
soldiers stood at 1854 or 366. More
than two hundred bodies had been re-
covered. Many of these were given
burial by n party sent from Liverpool.
The discrepancy between the figures
now arrived at and those previously
given is due, 1t was explained to the
confusing of two identification lists.
In the hope of succOring those who
succeeded in fighting their way ashore
through the raging surf, party of
eight, including physicians, left here
for point farther north, whence they
Embarked this morning for Islay is
land, carrying clothing, medical and
other supplies furnished by the Ameri-
can Red Cross.
1t will be Il day or two. perhaps,
before news is received of the outcome
of the mission.
Transport Dashed to Pieces.
The Otranto after the collision was
dashed to pieces on the rocks off the
south Scottish coast. The boat went
ashore Sunday night south of Saligo
bay, Islay. island, an uninhabited sec
ton where the coast line in many
places rises straight out of the water
to the rocky peaks many feet above.
1t was there that most of the victims
also met their DEATH
The British destroyer MOunsey was
the only vessel which made an attempt
AT rescue in the terrific gale when the
Kashmir, another vessel In the convoy
with the OtrantO, rammed the OtrantO
amidships. 1t took 80 Americans and
266 others into Belfast.
A the destroyer neared the side of
the OtrantO the men began to jump
thirty to forty feet from its decks.
The more experienced sailors of the
crew Of the steamer had better sue
cess than the soldiers, many of whom
had never seen the sea until this trip.
Many Disappear In Ocean.
As the destroyer steered toward the
side of the steamer many of the men
leaped too quickly and missed their
reckoning and dropped between the
boats. Some of these disappeared In
the water. but others of them were
caught and crushed to death between
the boats and the lifeboats which had
been lowered to act as buffers. The
destroyer was badly battered.
The captain of the destroyer. each
time 1t was brushed away from the
side of the Otranto. again would push
near enough for many more men to
jump to the deck of his vessel. He
described as veritable rain the num-
Der of men landing on the destroyer.
Many of those who reached the
decks of the vessel suffered broken
bones or otherwise were hurt. Those
who missed the deck of the destroyer
went to almost instant death.
FOu: times the battered destroyer
came alongside, and each time the
previous scenes were repeated. At the
end Of the fourth trip II had 80
Americans. 23G of the crew, 30 French
sailors. md one British officer on
beard. The boat was full, and, having
done all possible. it started for port.
Thirty Washed From Destroyer.
Even after the survivors had
reached the deck of the destroyer
their position continued desperate, for
mountainous waves repeatedly broke
over the little vessel. and, according
to reports. swept about thirty persons
overheard. Others were saved from
similar fate by lashing themselves TO
torpedo tubes and the destroyer's SUI
perstructure. For nearly twelve hours
the survivors. all wet through and
many badly injured. were exposed to
the fury of the wind and the waves
until the destroyer made port.
One of the American troopers on
board the Otranto pictured the scene
when the vessels colllded. Soldiers
lined the decks as though on parade,
and at the word Of command stood Mt
attention like statues. They never
wavered, remaining there in military
formation, exempifying during the
crisis the noblest traditions of the
army for heroism and discipline. The
same thing, the soldier said, applied
to the seamen.
Trying to Get Details.
Washington, Oct. 14.-The war de-
partment was anxiously trying TO get
details of the loss of life through the
sinking of the transport Otranto. Re
no.tS 90 tho loss af Iifa varv and a.