STORY OF THE SINKING OF THE GERMAN SUBMARINE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15686, 13 August 1914, Page 7

STORY OF THE SINKING OF THE GERMAN SUBMARINE

. PERISCOPE OF 1315 SHATTERED BY FIRST SHOT. FORCED TO COME TO SURFACE TO OBTAIN BEARINGS. SECOND SHOT FROM CRUISER SENDS HER TO BOTTOM. (Received August 13, 13.45 a.m.) London, August 12. The story of the sinking of the German cruiser Uls by the cruiser Birmingham in the encounter between the enemy's submarine flotilla and a British squadron last Sunday is now available. When the cruiser squadron sighted the submarine flotilla only the periscopes were showing. The cruisers coolly pretended that they did not sec them. They succeeded in deceiving the Germans, who came. within range. The Birmingham saw her opportunity, and steaming full speed ahead, she fired. The periscope of the Uls was shattered, and the submarine, blinded, rushed on beneath the water. She was in imminent danger of self-destruction through collision with one of the cruisers, or with ' one of her own consorts. A little later, recognising that their attack had been defeated, the submarines drew off. The cruisers, however, knew that the Uls was sightless, and that she must consequently come to the surface. This duly happened, and when the conning tower of the damaged submarine appeared, the Birmingham was prepared, and fired a second shot. There was just time to see the submarine's distinguishing number, when the shot, striking the base of the conning tower where it was awash, ripped the whole upper structure, and the submarine sank like a stone.