After torpedoing the ship, the U-boat came to the surface and gave
the command “Abandon ship.” Shortly afterward the _Falaba_ broke into
flames and was destroyed.]
“Perhaps half an hour passed, and then the destroyer came. This time
one of the French sailors helped him to carry me, and I was placed on
my back, across the ship’s rail, and when the roll brought her near
enough to the destroyer, British sailors grasped my arms and pulled me
over. For one sickening second my legs dangled between the two ships,
but the sailors hauled me in just before the impact came. They carried
me to the chart-house and laid me on the couch, and before long the
Belgian joined me, and, utterly exhausted, lay down on the floor. From
that moment I felt entirely safe. We English are brought up to feel
complete confidence in the British Navy, much as they teach us to trust
in Providence. And the Navy deserves our confidence.
“It took a long time to transfer all the remaining passengers of the
_Sussex_ to H. M. S. ——, for the sea was becoming restless, and the two
ships hammered and thumped at each other’s sides to such purpose that
the rescuing destroyer had to go into dock for repairs when her labors
were over and she had landed us all safely.”