Submarine Savagery (1918)

Disgrifiad

Dyddiad: 17 Hydref 1918

Trawsysgrif:

Submarine Savagery.
JAPANESE LINER SUNK.

The Germans are again busily engaged in torpedoing defenceless ships and sending women and children to a cruel death. Last week they sank the Japanese liner, the Hirano Maru, off the Irish coast, in a raging storm without the slightest warning. The ship sank in about four minutes after being struck by the torpedo, and the loss of life is estimated at 210.

IRISH MAIL BOAT TORPEDOED.

The outgoing mail boat Leinster was torpedoed on Thursday morning last, and the number of passengers and crew missing is 587. About 300 bodies have been recovered.

The following offical statement was issued on Saturday evening:—The Lord Lieutenant desires to express his deep and heartfelt sympathy with the relatives and friends of those who have lost their lives in the Royal Mail steamship Leinster. The organised, determined, and orderly attempt to save life, with the result that 193 persons were rescued from death in a very heavy sea, is another splendid illustration of the calm courage, intrepidity, and skill which has characterised our mercantile marine in so marked a manner throughout the war. The accounts of survivors agree in confirming the unselfish spirit of fortitude and the indomitable bravery with which all on board faced immediate death and disaster. When we remember that throughout more than four years the Irish mail packets have run unceasingly day and night, and that throughout this whole time their captains and crews have faced a constant and ever present submarine menace, We cannot but regard with deep admiration the skill, courage and seamanship which they have so abundantly displayed. Captain Birch and the crew of the Leinster have fallen as gloriously in the great cause as any sailor or soldier in the war, and the same applies to those devoted workers in the postal department, who have also gone down at their posts of duty. The Lord Lieutenant feels certain that Irishmen of all shades of opinion will join as one man to help in the great work of bringing swift retribution home to a people who can employ such barbarous methods of warfare.

THE KING APPALLED.

The King telegraphed to Viscount French:

I am appalled to hear of this terrible disaster. Please let me hear any further news.

Viscount French replied as follows:—

"Leinster sank in three minutes after being struck by the second torpedo. On receipt of the 'S.O.S.' message at Kingstown all the vessels in harbour and two tugs from Dublin were dispatched to the scene. All patrol vessels in the vicinity were concentrated on the position. Faster craft reached the scene of the disaster, where destroyers were already picking up survivors. Heavy seas were running, making rescue work extremely difficult. Out of the 780 persons on board there are 193 survivors."

The number of deaths in the torpedoing of the Leinster is now given as 600, of whom 200 are missing.

TROOPSHIP TORPEDOED.

Washington, Saturday.
The Navy Department announces that the steamer Ticonderoga was torpedoed on September 30th. Ten officers and 111 enlisted men are missing.

It is reported that many were killed by gunfire after the vessel was torpedoed.

When the steamer sank after being shelled it was feared the remainder of those on board, numbering about 250, had been lost. Survivors, who are suffering from exposure or wounds, accounted for the latter by declaring the ship's boats had been shelled.

A report has reached the Navy Department that 20 of the crew have reached an American port on board a British freighter.

The Department was previously informed that the Ticonderoga had separated from her convoy.

GERMAN EXCUSE.

An official Berlin telegram makes the following attempt to excuse the continuation of ruthless submarine war under Germany's "popular" Government:—

"Much as the death of civilians not directly participating in the war must be regretted, it must be emphasised, in contradiction to enemy Press agitation, that distinction between passenger steamer and transport ship is impossible, just as it is impossible for British airmen to distinguish whether their bombs dropped on Bruges kill German soldiers or Belgian citizens."

Speaking to a Dutch correspondent, Herr Erzberger, a member of the new German Government, said:—

"We hear that neutrals are exercised about the torpedoing of the Leinster. Fears are expressed that this may hinder our peace work. I don't hesitate to declare that I consider the tragedy extraordinarily regrettable, and I have the deepest sympathy with the innocent women and children.

"My standpoint has always been the same since the Lusitania, when I publicly expressed my regret about the victims. In this case my regret is most keen. It is high time that all useless sufferings inflicted should be stopped."


Ffynhonnel:
'Submarine Savagery.' The Amman Valley Chronicle and East Carmarthen News. 17 Hydref 1917. 4.