SUBMARINE DEFIED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15998, 17 August 1915, Page 4

SUBMARINE DEFIED.

BRITISH SHIPS ESCAPE.

FOUR HOURS UNDER FIRE.

NINE OF CREW KILLED.

Thrilling stories of a British steamer's crew who defied a German submarine for four hours under an incessant rain of shells were told when the London vessel Anglo-Californian arrived at Queenstown with nine men killed, including the captain, while one was missing.

The ship, which was homeward-bound from Quebec, was attacked south of the Irish coast, and, thanks to the gallant resistance made by the captain before he was shot down by a shell, the AngloCalifornian was able to reach port.

A survivor said : "At 8 a.m. a German submarine was noticed. She soon overhauled our steamer and commenced firing on our wireless telegraph so as to damage it and prevent communication being made. A Brave Man's Death. " The pirate circled round our ship endeavouring to get into position. Our captain was a brave man, and kept on the bridge smiling at the enemy as shot and shell were discharged at his vessel. One of terminals of the apparatus was severed, but this was all the success the enemy had. " They were so close to us that they used their rifles, and, at last, serious in- • jury was inflicted on the ship. " For four long hours shell after shell was rained on us. The poor captain was blown off the bridge, with terrible wounds. Previous to his death he had given orders for the boats to be launched. "This the crew tried to do, but they' experienced great difficulty as the ropes got entangled. Struck Down by Shells. " During the time we were at work many of us were hurled by the shells from the davits down to the deck. Ultimately four boats were launched, into which several men got and rowed about until j picked up by vessels in the vicinity which i came to our assistance. I cannot say if ■ they were all saved. j " The scene on our steamer was terrible j with the injured moaning on deck. ; Finally we were overjoyed to shake off j the submarine, which dived, and our ; steamer was able to steam into Queenstown to tell her tale." , Captain's Heroic Son. Captain Parslow's son, the second mate, was by bis father's side when the latter was struck and killed by a shell. Young Parslow was knocked down by the violence of the shock, but quickly got on his feet, again, end seized the -wheel of the | ship to steer her. I He had scarcely done so when another shell burst alongside him and shattered one of the spokes of the wheel. Still the second officer remained at his post of duty until assistance arrived.

His heroic conduct undoubtedly saved the ship from destruction.