ECHO OF THE WAR AT SEA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 211, 25 May 1918, Page 8

ECHO OF THE WAR AT SEA

WHEN THE AUSTRALIA SANK A SUPPLY SHIP. Leading Seaman W. R. Lawsou, E.A.N., contributes to ''Nuiiiius jNeptuini," an unofficial naval publication printed at Cape Town, the following-' account of how H.M.A.S. Australia sank a German supply, ship in t.ho early days of the war. It was two bells in "the .afternoon watch, and the Australian flagship Australia was steaming at a comfortable 15 knots in the South Atlantic, destination unknown. Suddenly a column of smoke ws\s reported bearing llu'ee points on the port bow; glasses were levelled at the.stranger, .but her identification could not be discerned. As our orders were to keep a strict vigilance owing to the presence in these waters of the German raiding cruisers Karlsruhq and Koenigsburg, .we increased speed to satisfy ourselves that the stranger was all right. As we drew nearer we signalled; Uie stranger disregarded our demands to hwvvo to, ami increased speed also, beim; under the impression (as we found later) that she was out of our range; but in that she was sadly mistaken. | The- chase continued, and we gradually 1 drew near her and rumours were soon flying around our ship as to what we wore after. At G p.m. tho Admiral ordered "Action stations."

As the bugle blazed forth this order it was received with a.cheerj as it was understood then, that the stranger was hostile. In two minutes the- Australia ifiretl the left 12in. gun of tho foremost turret as a ranging shot. The projectile plunged into the sea just uhead of her, having passed through her rigging. That settled her clearing-out ideas and she hovo to, and we found out she was a German. As we drew nearer and (.ur searchlights lit her up, we saw she was a handsome vessel. An armed boarding party 'was swiftly got away, and they found she was carrying stores and material, value about ,£400,000, for the raiding cruisers. Her captain wanted us to take 'her as a prize, but our Admiral declined, and, after bringing eome 150 prisoners aboard, we openod fire on her, Sho sank stern first, and the Australia unconcernedly proceeded on her ivay. The Elenore Woermsin was a fine vessel of 9000 tons, and only 10 months old, and it seemed a pity, to sink her. Of her crew it was a curious fact that everyone could, epeak English, and they were very pleased to bo captured.