VALUABLE INFORMATION OBTAINED BY SUBMARINES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15749, 26 October 1914, Page 6

VALUABLE INFORMATION OBTAINED BY SUBMARINES.

D\Kl\G Mll.OUs PENETRATE TO GERMAN AN< HuRAUES CONSTANT WATCH MAINTAINED OVER ENEMY'S FLEET. London, October 23. Til-' l'n ss Bun-nit states that Commodore Keyes, commanding the British • -libmarines in the North Sea, reports that three hours after til-' outbreak of war the submarines K6 and Eh, unaccompanied, carried <ut ,1 reconnaissance of the Heligoland Bight, and returned with useful mi' rmaii'-n. They had the privilege of being the pioneers upon a v r\ ;ee attended with some risk. I hiring the transportation of the British Expeditionary Forces the Lurcher, Firedrake, and all the submarines of the Eighth Flotilla t'leupii (1 positions in which they could have attacked the German High >• -~ 1 let it' ii had emerged to dispute the passage of the transports. This patrol was maintained day and night, with no relief until the army -a a* transported and all chance of effective interference had disappeared. These submarines have since been incessantly employed • a the enemy's coast, in the Heligoland Bight, and elsewhere, and have • .blamed much valuable information regarding the composition and movements of the enemy's patrols, have occupied his waters, reconte.itred In-, anchorages, and been subjected to skilful anti-submarine tactics. They have been hunted continuously by torpedo craft, and attaiked by gunfire and torpedoes. Alter submarine F9 sank the Hela six mil's south of Heligoland on September V.', German destroyers were summoned, and hunted her L>r hour-. (hi September II submarine E9 examined the outer anchorage of Heligoland at considerable risk. Submarine, EO, while diving, found the mooring of a German mine, and effectively released it. Only once, were the British submarines within torpedo range of a German cruiser during daylight. The German capital vessels never, and the light cruisers seldom, emerged from fortified harbours. During exceptionally heavy western gales on the 14th and 21st of September th" submarines were within a few miles of the enemy's coast, and were subjected to a trying ordeal, and their maintenance there under station conditions was distinctly creditable. All the commanders keenly seek service in the locality of Heligoland.