Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 55, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 October 1916 — SUBMARINE SINKS BRITISH SHIP [ARTICLE]

SUBMARINE SINKS BRITISH SHIP

London, Oct. 6.—The 25,000-ton transatlantic liner Franconia of the Cunard line, one of the finest vessels on the Atlantic, has been sunk by a German submarine, according to a Lloyd's announcement. The Franconia had not been in the pasenger-carrying service recently, being used for transport duty in the Mediterranean. The dispatch adds that at the time the vessel was sunk no troops were on board. This statement is confirmed by the admiralty, which adds that 12 of the crew of 302 are unaccounted for. • Vessel Built in 1910. The Franconia was built in 1910. Its maiden voyage was between Liverpool and Boston in February, 1911. The Franconia was 625 feet long, 72 feet wide and displaced 25,000 tons. W hen it was built it was considered one of the most comfortable steamers of the Cunard line. A striking feature of the saloon appointments was the absence of staterooms on the boat deck, which was devoted to a promenade room, a library, a gymnasium and a lounge and smoking room. The vessel was nicknamed the “Bath Ship," inasmuch as it had more bathrooms and showers than the Mauretafiia, this equipment being installed for the benefit of passengers bound for long cruises to the Mediterranean. Used at Dardanelles.

The steerage of the Franeoniaf was considered the best appointed of any steamer carrying third-class passengers. The old Tdea of steerage compartments had been eliminated, and staterooms, capable of accommodating four, six and eight persons had been installed. .