ARMED TRAWLERS IN A SEA FIGHT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 310, 19 September 1918, Page 5

ARMED TRAWLERS IN A SEA FIGHT

, BRILLIANT LITTLE ACTION A FISHERMAN'S VICTORY An announcement was recently made of ;i brilliant little action in which six aimed trawlers on Juno 20, when returning to a British port with thoir cargoes of null, encountered, fought, and drove off a large German submarine cruiser. It was a Jishermnn's victory, (is Sir Eric decides said- in opening at the Princes' Galleries, I'iccitd'l'y, 1 uidon' tho splendid show of pliotojrnnns in colour-of tho Navy's work. Only fishermen, under tho comiiuml of nn officer of the U-.N.V.H. look part, the stirring olh'oml record states. Before 6 a.m., off Iceland, the submarine suddenly appeared some 7000 i yards away on the beam of the leud- ! ing trawler and began to fire. She-was ! a big craft, with a couple of yuiis of about Gin. calibre, and one, if fot two, smaller ones—a formidablo enemy for trawlers, with their'low speed and light armament. She showed two linall masts and such n large conning-tm\er that tho men in the trawlers wero for a while doubtful if she was a tv.limariuc. The R.N.V.Lt. officer summoned his littlo flotilla to form line ahead and follow him , . The submarine ranged in isud tlm action opined. All throe of the German's guns were bearing on the leading trawler and her . shells wore falling all round, enveloping her in waterspouts, but never hitting her. The next astern was less fortunate.. Several shells hit her and she was severely swept by shrapnel of which the German fired not less than 100 rounds. ' One of her hands was ' killed and four were wounded. Among those was tho gunner, but the remaining hands, though most were injured, kept tho gun going. The submarine was trying to work up ahead of the line. Tho trawlers, superbly handled and-never losing their formation, altered course to keep her on the beam and continued to fire. A shift of wind allowed tliemto use their smoke boxes and make a temporary screen between themselves ft»u tho enemy. ■ ENEMY GUN OVERBOARD. The commander's report speaks of the imperturbable courage and r.everfniling skill of tho men who bamilod "the trawlers during tho whole of tlus time. They wero dealing with an enemy normally capable of steaming lings round them and heavily enough armed to blow them out of the water. Thoy kept firing till ammunition was gutting lon , , and when the leading trawler had only 15 rounds left sho made ready the signal, "Prepare to ram." ■ ■ : But it did not come to %it. Die submarine was closing to shorter range, and tho second trawler in tho line managed to land a shell on Uio after piu't of her. Fivo minutes later tho leading trawler made a direct hit under the submarine's forward gun, which was carried overboard. The submarine swung round to get her after-gun to bear ' and forthwith tho leading trawler burst a shell at tho base of her big conning-tower. A hugo cloud of smoke wont up, envelopino, tho submarine and shutting her from sight. What happened to her is doubtful, but when the smeke cleared away she had disappeared ' and the trawlers saw no moro of her. Every detail of tho light, as the reports have .ooino in, testifies to the same quality in the liioii who carried it out—courage, discipline, and skill. One able seaman who "did good and steady shooting throughout the action" has three .direct hits to his credit. The B-.N.V.8.-wireless operator is mentioned for iust those qualities, which arc .becoming recogivjsed as normal in the men of his calling."This was a fisherman s fight, conclude/the report of tho officer who commanded, "and without doubt they put up a right, stout one. 1 deem it an honour to have been in command of them."