TNA ADM 199 792

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At 1730 the ship became unmanagable and would not
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answer the wheel, and I found it necessary to maintain the
trim by shifting the troops on deck to counteract the list
29/5
to port which was becoming pronounced. The main deck and boiler X
room was then cleared and I signalled two British destroyers
but they did not apparently see our signals. We were unable
to work our wireless which was damaged.
Finally the ship started rapidly to sink by the
stern and I ordered abandon ship at 1745 and within one minute
the ship had entirely sunk. I went down with her holding on to
the bridge rails and kicked myself free of obstructions as she
heeled over to port. When I surfaced a number of troops were
swimming or trying to keep afloat, but the numbers thinned out
considerably within 15/20 minutes.
The first rescue ship to arrive was a French destroyer
and later guided by one of our planes several drifters and a tug
like
picked up the remaining survivors. I was picked up after being
in the water 3/4 of an hour and was taken in to Ramsgate where
I reported to the N.O.I.C. together with three other officers
and five ratings. I later understood one officer and a number
of ratings were taken in to Margate. It is estimated that
between 300 and 400 of our troops were drowned.
It would be invidious to single out any one individual
for exemplary conduct as all on board, including the troops,
behaved with the highest courage and calmness and beyed all
orders implicitly, but I wish to submit the names of :-
one
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ahandoned in a smking condition (the
sponsons being under water), the position new
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