The ship was torpedoed in darkness. The crew got away safely in four boats and a few minutes later a second torpedo hit the ship and she sank. At dawn the four boats set sail for the mainland estimated to be about 500 miles distant. A flying boat picked up the crew of one boat and the crew of another was picked up two days later. Of the remaining two oats one was in charge of the Chief Officer, who displayed courage, skill and leadership of a high order. He made a successful boat voyage of about 700 miles to bring the twelve survivors in his boat to safety after a voyage of 10 days. The other boat covered a distance of about 500 miles. Bad weather was experienced during the voyage but the courage and resource of the Second Officer brought the sixteen survivors safely through after a voyage of 10 days.