TRUE TO TRADITION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24506, 15 January 1941, Page 7

TRUE TO TRADITION

GREW OF BRITISH VESSEL BATTLE WITH SUBMARINE CAPE VERDE ISLAND, Jan. 13. ' (Received Jan., 14, at 11 p.m.) V How the' British vessel Shakespeare engaged a submarine, for three .hours and. broke' cff the fight only after the ship's guns. Were put out of action was related by the master;'- Captain Bailey. " Immediately .the: submarine fired I ordered-vthe gun' crew to reply. The men behaved with magnificent, courage and immediately one gunner was killed or wounded another. Without the Word of. command, leapt forward to take his place. l ' Nineteen; members ef the- crew were killed.•'"•■We certainly killed'two members, of the submarine. crW and. wounded others. Some: of my.: men lost a hand:and others had fingers blown off.' Fifteen left hospital to-day, but seven who were seriously wounded are .still' in hospital."/ The. submarine took our lifeboat "in tow and-one .'of my men; .an elderly, seaman, shouted 'I don't want the' Ital-, ians.' : He scrambled to the bow. and, began hacking the towrope; His shipmates pulled him back* but he broke away and into the sea. We tried vainly to get him back, but.he swam away from the boat and dis-i appeared."-'• -'i';,• .Captain Bailey refused to go on the submarine to have his wounds dressed. He was severely blistered as the result of the sun and saltwater, and he remains: in hospital. '■■■'■'?■ \ • "'