THRILLING ENCOUNTER IN MID-ATLANTIC.

North Otago Times, Volume CVI, Issue 13975, 10 September 1917, Page 6

THRILLING ENCOUNTER IN MID-ATLANTIC.

DESPERATE FIGHT BETWEEN FLEET OF MERCHANTMEN AND SUBMARINES. t' ' " ( * ■ n 1 i - NEW YORK, September 7. The Tribune says that four merchantmen have arrived at an At* lantic poi't. The officers stated that a fleet of Allied merchantmen sailing to America, were, attacked in clear weather. Suddenly two periscopes were sighted, one on each side of the fleet. Thd.TJ'boats.immediately launched torpedoes, and one struck the. merchant flagship, which sank within an hour. Another hit the stern of a second merchantman which sank within half an hour. The mer- • chantmen opened fire quickly and sank a couple of U-boats, 'whereupon five other U-boats emerged and launched torpedoes, quickly submerging as the merchantmen fired. The officers say that, one of these U-boats was positively sunk. Two additional merchant-' men were struck and sunk. A wireless message brought destroyers, and the merchantmen were convoyed back. Later the\ vessels sailed to America singly. ''/'■'