The Ypres Times.
51
tunately, as the ship was sinking so rapidly, it was only possible to lower one boat. The
patients kept their heads wonderfully. There was no panic whatever, and when one realises
that in the majority of cases they were suffering from fractured limbs, severe wounds and
amputations, it speaks volumes for their spirit, their grit and real bravery, for they must
have suffered agonies of pain. After we had satisfied ourselves that there was no possible
chance of getting any more patients out, for by that time the bows had quite gone under
and only the ship's stern was above water, with the propellers going at a terrific rate
and blinding us with spray, we got down on to the rudder and jumped into the sea, where
hundreds of patients were still struggling in the water.
It was some time before the destroyers could get out to render help, but when they
did, boats were quickly lowered and the survivors taken into them. Unfortunately, in
some cases, the struggling patients hung on to the sides of a boat and capsized it, and
once again all were thrown into the sea. It was a never-to-be-forgotten sight to see
armless and legless men struggling in the water, very many of whom were eventually
saved.
I, personally, was in the water about forty minutes before being taken on a destroyer.
That would be about the time the majority were in the water. The kindness of the men
on the destroyer we shall never forgettheir helpfulness was beyond words.
Imagine our delight, on reaching Dover, to find many of the patients lying on the
Admiralty Pier they had last been seen floating in the water, and had been picked
up by other destroyers. Many were the handshakes, kindly greetings, and expressions
of real thankfulness at meeting again on terra firma.
There was a humorous side to it, for we must have looked very weird in the different
garments with which we had been so kindly supplied by the officers and men of the
destroyers. I would remind you that forty minutes in the water in November is not the
kind of sea-bathing that one would indulge in from choice, yet, largely due to the kindness
of the men of the destroyer, I do not think that anyone suffered seriously from cold.
After a good meal on the ambulance train, we were soon on our journey to London. So
ended mv experience with a hospital ship.
A. MELD RUM.
VETERANS' REUNION IN LONDON
PROPOSED.
General O'Ryan's Suggestion to 27th and 30th
Divisions is Heartily Endorsed.
A proposal that the Twenty-seventh and
Thirtieth Divisions, which were brigaded with
British troops during the World War, hold their
joint formal reunion in London, was made last
night by Major-Gen. John P. O'Ryan, Commander
of the Twenty-seventh during the war, at a dinner
given by the Division Association at the Hotel
As tor. The suggestion was enthusiastically re
ceived by the 200 veterans present and was further
endorsed by Brig.-Gen. R. H. Gillette, who
suggested that steps should bg taken at once to
organise the divisions for such a pilgrimage. The
year after next was suggested as a possible date.
In making the proposal, General O'Ryan pointed
out that the men of the Twenty-seventh and
Thirtieth Divisions had not been strongly repre
sented in the recent American Legion Convention
at Paris. This was natural, he said, as the divisions
had been associated with the British rather than
the French during the war.
Because of the close assocaition which existed
between the British troops and the men of the
divisions, General O Ryan believes that a renewal
of the friendships formed on the battlefield would,
prove not only a happy occasion for the veterans,
but international friendship might be greatly
aided thereby. Pie pointed to the goodwill
between America and France growing out of the
Legion Convention.
I have heard," General O'Ryan said, that
the Twenty-seventh and the Thirtieth Division
had the lowest percentage among those who at
tended the American Legion Convention at Paris.
I think that was perhaps perfectly natural. We
were with the British during our service in France
and not attached to the rest of the American Army,
and I think we feel that we are more or less
separated from the others.
The visit of the American Legion to Paris and
the whole-hearted way in which the French received
the Legionaires constituted an epic in our history.
I believe that if our division and the Thirtieth
should visit London for their next reunion and
have our own great big show, I know how the
British would receive us. We would create
history."
