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- [S152] Lima [Ohio] News, Oct 31, 1917, Page 9.
"Missionaries En Route to India from Lima Report Their Safety Now"
A letter received by Dr. A. H. Herr, state representative from this district, from his sister, Mrs. Emma Dinham, gives the details of the blowing up of the shop on which she was passenger bound for India in which 19 lives were lost. The explosion occurred 20 miles out of Capetown and a cable received shortly after the accident apprised Doctor Herr of the safe landing of his sister.
Mrs. Dinham, with her husband, Oswald Dinham and family, are en route to India where they will take up missionary work. The mine which blew up the ship is believed to have floated from European waters. Following is the letter received today:
Delagoabay, South Africa,
August 22, 1917
My Dear Brother--
You will have heard that we were blown up by a mine 20 miles out of Capetown, and lost 19 lives and all we had except what we had on, and that was the poorest clothing we possessed because they were painting the ship and we did not want to spoil our good clothes. We were just about to dress to go ashore.
I was near the explosion. Pieces of wood, etc. flying all about me. We were in the little boat cold and wet for four hours, when a tug came along and pulled us up and took us ashore and the government had a place ready for us where they at once gave us hot tea, coffee, milk and food and then beds to lie down for the rest of the night. It was long after midnight when we reached shore and so cold and dark.
We lost eight of our party and one of the Methodist Episcopal missionaries for the mission at Bombay. Three of the bodies of our people were brought to shore, a beautiful burial given them by the government. Then the evening of the 11th we boarded another boat for our destination which we hope to reach in a month. We are safe and comfortable tho lost all.
Lovingly, Emma and Family
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