This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 19 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Boston Post
Location
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Date
Sep 06, 1915
Page
2
The German submarine sank the Hesperian with a torpedo but the liner stayed afloat. Passengers and crew evacuated as rescue steamers arrived. two American stewards were saved. Canadians and others swam to safety in a dark, rough sea. One Nova Scotian veteran regained sight in one eye after the blast.
Major J. S. Barres a Canadian officer reports the Hesperian was torpedoed without warning as darkness shrouded the steamer. The explosion hit a vital engine room and the crew attempted to seal bulkheads to stem water influx. The captain and about 20 crew remained aboard as rescue efforts unfolded.
Ronald Whiteway of London recounts a torpedo strike on the Hesperian near Queenstown. He describes a violent impact at dusk, a tidal surge drenching passengers, lifeboats launched, and rescue steamers removing travelers as the ship settled after the explosion.
Steward Dallas of the Hesperian recounts the ship being torpedoed near Queenstown. He describes women and children in night clothes rushing to deck, life belts and boats, three lifeboats capsizing, and his escape in a collapsible boat. An American steward, McAllister of Grand Rapids, aided others. The ship carried 8706 sacks of U.S. mail.
Major J. 5. Barres returning to Canada with 12 officers and 88 men said on the torpedoing of the Hesperian that perfect order prevailed. One lifeboat capsized from the falls getting jammed while someone cut ropes to lower boats. The Hesperian was about 130 miles west of Queenstown when torpedoed.
Allan Line report states the Hesperian sailed with 850 passengers and 80 crew. Of the passengers 30 were first class and 117 second class. All passengers were landed at Queenstown while part of the crew stayed aboard as the liner was towed to Queenstown.
The Hesperian a 10920 ton gross 6124 ton net vessel sailed from Montreal August 17 bound for Liverpool arriving around August 27. Allan line owner has operated it for about three years by Canadian Pacific railroad running Britain to Canada. Built in Glasgow 1908 the twin screw steamer is 485 feet long 60 feet beam and 30 feet depth.
Reports from Washington describe the torpedoing of the Allan liner Hesperian with about eight deaths, none Americans, while noting survivors among passengers. Officials consider whether warning was given, the ship’s mounted gun, and possible mine or escape attempt amid diplomatic efforts with Germany.
The Allan liner Hesperian, torpedoed by a German submarine, had numerous Boston voyages including its maiden trip. Once the line’s finest vessel until newer ships Alsatian and Calgarian, Captain Main formerly led the Numidian and knew many people in Boston. Built in 1908, it arrived in Boston soon after completion and was believed to have served as a British transport ship.
London readers received an extra edition at 5 o'clock announcing the torpedoing of the Hesperian with details from Queenstown. The Allan Line report claimed all passengers and crew were saved. The event sparked discussion on its impact on U.S. Germany submarine policy talks.
A London dispatch describes Vice Admiral Sir John Jellicoe inspecting the Grand Fleet at sea bases and battle squadrons. Officers discuss submarine countermeasures, auxiliary blockading forces, and the fleet’s readiness to meet Germany, with plans for instant action and sustained drills.
The War Office reports widespread artillery activity around Neuville Roclincourt Roye and the Champagne front between Auberive and Souain. Violent duels in Argonne and Apremont forest plus north of Flirey are noted with minor British progress in Dardanelles and Arras sectors.
Berlin dispatch summarizes military statement from army headquarters noting no new Riga victories. Prisoners taken at Grodno region exceed 3600 with defeats south of Macibowo and Wolkowysk. 400 plus prisoners and three machine guns captured elsewhere. Other groups report advances near Nowydwor Pruzana and a bridgehead evacuation at Bruema Kastuska.
Italian General Headquarters reports engagements along the Redval ridge and Strino valley with enemy retreat and ammo seizures. Doberdo sector gains noted as trenches occupied. Sept 2 Seibusi operation yielded 150 rifles and thousands of cartridges. Enemies circulated deserter invitations and crude war reports.
London reports that Austro German forces facing Russia are near exhausted or halting, with little progress made. From the Gulf of Riga to Grodno, von Hindenburg's army stands and has not crossed the Dvina after securing bridgeheads at Lennewada and Friedrichstadt.
Reported German forces mass between Grodno and Kobrin as Russian lines stiffen north of Vilna and in Galicia. Rovno and Dubno anchor fortified zones while rains threaten winter operations. Paris notes Turkish night attack near Anzac area, Athens reports Turkish-German dissensions in Constantinople. Balfour cites German pledge not to sink liners as submarines suffer losses.
Official Turkish statement reports artillery destroying a machine gun at Anafarta and recon scouts seizing enemy trenches near Azankder with war material captured. Ari Burnu saw no notable action while Seddul Bahr was shelled for two hours without result. Left wing fire caused a mine explosion demolishing enemy barbed wire entanglements.
Lloyds reports the Danish steamer Frode was sunk. Captain Clemmesen and 18 crew members were saved.
Allan liner Hesperian attacked by German submarine 70 miles off Irish coast. Steamer not sunk and proceeds to Queenstown under convoy with passengers landed by rescue ship. Germans under Prince Leopold gain ground north of Pruzana and take 400 prisoners. Russians evacuate Bruema Kastuska bridgehead under German pressure. Dardanelles engagements see British progress. Turkish coast guard sinks an Allied submarine off Asia Minor with all hands lost.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.