HUNTING THE U-BOAT PIRATES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 34, 3 November 1917, Page 9

HUNTING THE U-BOAT PIRATES

SMAET WOlttC BY THE DEITISH SEA-DOGS.

Tho following authoritativo instances of successful encounters with enemy submarines illustrate tho diversity of methods employed to deal with tho enemy. Ihe first instance is one in which a torpedoer sighted tho periscope of a submarine on the starboard bow GOO yards away. The captain swung the ship round until the periscope was on tho port bow, travelling slowly in tho opposite direction. The periscope disappeared when about fifty yards from the torpedoer, which altered its course, so that it passed directly over tho submarine. Tho impact of a collision was felt, and after that two oxplosivo charges wero dropped in quick succession. Subsequently laTge patches of oil wero seen on tho surface, end minesweepers reported an obstruction at the bottom of tho sea in this place. In the second instance a torpedoer patrolling Hie Atlantic observed a steamer torpedoed by a submarine. Having picked up tlio survivors of the steamer, which wns sunk, tho torpedoer circled round, searching for tho submarine. She soon sighted a" white patch on the water right ahead. 'Die torpedoer made straight for tho spot, actually prazing tlio submarine. An explosive charge vvas dropped as the submarine passed under tho stern, and second and third charges were detonated at tho place where ml and air bubbles wero seen coming: to tho surface, and the air was heavy with the smell of gasoline. Subsequently minesweepers confirmed the prcsenco of a heavy obstruction on tho bottom. In tlio third instanco no shadow of doubt of tlio fate of a submarine recently torpedoed by a British submarino 13 fortunately possible. ' The British submarine, while patrolling, sighted an enemy submarine. Both boats were on the surface. A heavy sea was running. Tho British boat 'dived, and a quarter of an hour later nicked up the enemy jr. the periscope., She fired at an estimated range of 80(1 yards, and n minute later heard the concussion of a violent, explosion. She roso to tho surface, and sighted a natch of oil with survivors swimming therein, who were made prisoners. Thoso stated that the torpedo strnck them just beforo tho conning-lower. The submarine Tolled over and sank. Tho survivors wero blown up through the conning-towcr.