LOST U BOATS

Evening Star, Issue 16624, 5 January 1918, Page 5

LOST U BOATS

A further list of incidents illustrating in various ways the manner in which enemy submarines are kept in check has been issued (says London ' Sunday Ob- ] server'). I A torpedo boat on patrol in the. .Atlantic ■ observed a steamer torpedoed by a sub- ■ marine. She proceeded to her assistance, and shortly afterwards the, steamer sank' Having picked up the survivors, the torpedo boat circled round searching for the submarine, and shortly afterwards a white patch in the water was sighted right ahead. The torpedo boat made straight for the spot, actually grazing over the submarine. An explosive chargo was dropped as she passed under tho stern, and turning round with all speed a second and then a third charge was also detonated in the place wliere oil and airbubbles were coming to the surface, and the air was heavy with the smell of gasoline. Subsequent investigation by sweepers confirmed the presence of a heavy obstruction on the bottom. • A certain British submarine on patrol sighted an enemy submarine. Both boats wero on the surface, and a heavy sea was running at tho time. The British boat dived, and a quarter of an hour later succeeded in picking up the enemy in her periscope. She fired at an estimated range of 800 yds, and after a pause of a minute heard the concussion of a violeut explosion. She. rose to the surface, and sighted a patch of oil, with survivors swimming in it, who were taken prisoner. These stated that the torpedo had struck them just before the conning tower. The submarine rolled over and sank, the survivors being blown up through the conning tower. A British armed merchantman was proceeding to Liverpool with an unarmed consort belonging to the same company under her escort. A submarine was sighted on the port bow of the defensively armed vessel, and at the same company armed vessel, and at the samo time a torpedo struck tho ship, disabling the engines. The master ordered the ship to be abandoned, but he himself, with two gunners, remained on board. The unarmed ship took to her heels, pursued by the submarine, whereupon the master of the ship opened fire on the submarine, forcing her to abandon the pursuit. Tho submarine turned and .torpedoed tho crippled ship twice more, after which she took her gallant master and two gunners-.prisoner. Their action undoubtedly saved their consort, which reached port safely.