STEAMER'S NARROW ESCAPE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16036, 30 September 1915, Page 8

STEAMER'S NARROW ESCAPE

ATTACKED BY SUBMARINE.

SAVED BY WARSHIPS.

LBT TEIJEGBAFH.— ASSOCIATION.] Wellington. Wednesday. York to Melbourne, unexpectedly called here this evening for bunker coal. Her voyage from New York, via the Panama Canal, was uneventful, moderate weather generally prevailing. The Tumwell was a participant in an exciting incident of war some months ago while engaged in the Atlantic trade. She was sighted by a German submarine south of Fastnet, on the south-west coast of Ireland, and a shell was fired across her bows as an intimation that the steamer was desired to stop. Another shell burst just abaft and above the bridge. The captain ordered the engines full speed astern, and the vessel stopped. The German submarine commander then ordered the captain and the crew to leave the steamer in boats. The pirates proceeded to board the ship with the intention of sinking her. Meantime two British, destroyers, attracted by the sound of firing, hove in sight. The Germans hurriedly left the Turnwell, and the submarine dived to avoid capture. The Turn-well's crew returned to the ship, which was leaking badly through the damage done by the Germans. They took the vessel to Milford Haven, and there temporary repairs were effected, the work being completed later at Swansea. Just prior to the attack on the Turn-well the same submarine sank a small steamer.