World War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- Turkey -- Gallipoli Peninsula; World War, 1914-1918 -- New Zealand
In war man is often made to feel his impotence. An illustration of this
occurred the day following the armistice. About midday the workers on
the beach heard "Picket boat" cried in those anxious, agonized accents
that characterize the cries of "Stretcher bearer" or "Wire," cries
that send a shiver down the spine of the most hardened. Looking out to
sea, a great column of smoke welled up from the side of the "Triumph,"
lying about a mile off shore from Gaba Tepe. It was obvious she was
hit, for at once she commenced to heel over. Glasses revealed her decks
crowded with men, her crew falling in at their stations. Swiftly from
every point of the compass came the torpedo-boat destroyers--from
Nibrunesi Point, Imbros and Helles. Our old friend the "Chelmer" nosed
into the flank of the stricken ship, and orderly, as if on parade,
the bluejackets commenced marching off. More and more boats crowded
alongside to take off the crew. Steadily the vessel heeled until her
masts were almost parallel with the water, her port guns sticking
aimlessly into the air. Suddenly she quivered from stem to stern. Her
attendants drew back quickly, as she turned completely over amidst a
cloud of spray and steam, which, clearing away, revealed her red keel
shining brightly against the blue Ægean Sea. Once again the destroyers
and trawlers closed in to pick up the men in the water. Other
destroyers, working in ever-increasing circles, engaged in a hunt for
the submarine. Presently the old craft commenced to settle at the bows.
Slowly and gracefully she slid into the depths, and the watchers on the
Anzac hills heaved a heartfelt sigh. But out there in the blue, the
gallant sailormen gave three hearty cheers as the old ship disappeared.
An irrepressible cried, "Are we downhearted?" "No," roared the crew of
the sunken ship, and a great volume of cheering rose from the vessels
gathered round.
[Illustration: THE SINKING OF THE "TRIUMPH."
The old ship, surrounded by small craft, is near the horizon on the
left of the picture.]
This disaster cast a gloom over Anzac. To see one's friends in peril
and be powerless to help caused the Colonial soldiers more pain than
any previous experience. This old ship had been such a trusty friend,
and now, in a short twenty minutes, she was gone! Men sat up on the
hill that night, cursing the Hun and all his allies!
The Taking and Losing of "Old No. 3 Post."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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