The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-05

 of the Athenia where men, women and children were climbing into lifeboats. A large hole was blown through one lifeboat.
 Some passengers said the sub marine then fired another shell at the listing ship and one man de- scribed it as a "gas shell'.
 Night had fallen by this time, but, fortunately for the passengers, the moon came up strong and bright That illumination enabled the pas sengers and crew members to work effectively in getting away from the listing ship. But the terror that had struck them from beneath the seas still lurked near its prey.
 Sub Lurked Tn Vicinity
 John McEwan, storekeeper on the Athenia, told about that. "Several times during the night when we were in the lifeboats," he said, i've heard the submarine pass ing below us. She remained on the spot several hours after sinking us. v A large, ragged hole gaped on the port side of the Athenia. The liner listed badly when she was first struck, but then came back to level position. Then, she began sinking slowly. The wireless operator of the Athenia cracked out an sos, and nearby ships raced for the scene. A dispatch was sent to the United Press from the yacht, Southern Cross, one of the rescue ships describing the scene.
 The sea was rough and the moon was brilliant. Lifeboats were dotted over the waves and the Norwegian merchant vessel, Knute Nelson stood by taking aboard all she could Flares were burning from the hfe- boats and cries for help were com ing from all sides. Most of the life- boats were overloaded and were low in the water. One lifeboat capsized near the bow of the Southern Cross but seamen from the yacht saved the occupants. A man stood on the keel of the overturned lifeboat hauling people out of the sea.
 Woman Is Suicide One of those he rescued was a young woman. She sat quietly in the rescue boat for a moment and then screamed:
 My baby"
 Then she leaped into the sea.
 British destroyers arrived and De. gan to help the Knute Nelson ano the Southern Cross.
 When all Ifeboats had been clear. ed from the ocean, destroyer firec shots into the wreckage of the Athenia SO that it would sink rapid ly and not be 8 hazard to shipping The Knute Nelson put into Gal way with her survivors.
 Ambulances and surgeons waited both at Greenock and Galway tt take care of the wounded among thu distraught, scantily dressed, oi stined, penniless men, women ane children.
 Storekeeper Tellls of It
 John McEwan, storekeeper of thu Athenia, said at Greenock:
 T was with my chum in oul cabin at 7:30 p. m. (Sunday) Whef we heard terrific bang.
 we knew at once what it was.
 (Some of the Athenia crew wer' survivors of World war submarin' attacks).
 We put on our lifebelts and wen to our boat stations.
 Several times during the night when we were in the life boat, WI heard the submarine passing below us.
 "she remained on the spot fo several hours after sinking us.
 "The conduct of the passenger was magnificent.
 T don't know how many wer' killed on tre ship but the talk oi the way over here would seemed t indicate that there were 90 kille' then.
 "There was a great deal of smok' where the torpedo struck tn Athenia. There was an interna explosion.
 | 6uL lllTOuBAt bAsS ohAtShS w D~s the submarine break the surface and before We knew where we wer' she had turned her gun on us aiit fired two shells.
 Every boat was away within aT hour after the explosion.
 "The ship at first listed badi' when the explosion occurred. Thei she lighted herself and began t go down slowly by the head.
 "Whep everybody was in boat and had gone away one boat wa seen to turn back. We learned af terward that woman on board oi whom an operation had been per formed had been left aboard thu Athenia. The boat went back apt brought her of.
 RidicuIed Mine Story
 Survivors ridiculed the idea tha the Athenia could have struck { mine. Several said that after firini the torpedo the submarine released a "gas" shell.
 Several members of the crew sait they saw the submarine at dstanc of about 100 yards. Another put at a quarter of mile. | Able Seaman H. Dillon said ehl torpedo struck the Athenia amtd