An awe inspiring sight

"We got a bit of a fright coming over, another transport which left Alexandria a few hours after us and caught us up was torpedoed by a submarine before our eyes. We saw her go down and I think it was the most awe inspiring sight I ever saw. Her stern went down and she almost stood on end and then as a plank slides over a bar, she slipped back and was gone for ever. She had [number struck out] men aboard & of these only some [word struck out] were saved, by a passing 'Red Cross' ship. Our boat of course put on full steam at once & we were fortunate enough to escape. All hands got their lifebelts for we did not know but that at any moment we might suffer a like fate, but thank God we were spared. We felt terribly helpless - we were like rats in a trap and could not help ourselves..."