BEATING A SUBMARINE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 594, 5 January 1916, Page 8

BEATING A SUBMARINE.

LINER'S PLUCKY FIGHT. REPLIES EFFECTIVELY TO HUN GUNFIRE. "Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services. LONDON, January 3. The steamer City of Marseilles, which has arrived at Bombay, reports that on December 8 she encountered a German submarine in the Mediterranean off the coast of Sardinia. When 31 miles away on the starboard beam of the steamer, the submarine, without warning, tired on the steamer. The first shot did not hit, but fragments of the shell scattered along the deck of the liner. The City of Marseilles opened out to her maximum speed. The second shell barely missed the ship's rudder, falling astern. The submarine continued thing without hitting the ship, though splinters struck her on the bridge and the quarter. The ship replied with her stern gun, firing eight shots at the submarine. After the sixth shot, the submarine disappeared with a visible list to port. With their lifebelts on, the passengers assembled in the saloon, in case it should be necessary to take to the boats, but there was no panic. Reuter's correspondent interviewed the Rev. Mr Mortimer, a missionary, who was a passenger. He stated" that seven shells were fired by the submarine, which was using both of its guns. The passengers, after pulling on their lifebelts, were ordered into the saloon. They sang the hymn, "Jesu, Lover of My Soul/' and prayers were said. When the message came that the ship was safe, the passengers cheered and sang the National Anthem.

The submarine pursued the ship for 20 minutes. One shell passed within four feet of the captain on the bridge. I The City of Marseilles is n twin-screw passenger steamer of 8250 tons gross register owned by the Ellerman Lines, Ltd., of Liverpool, and commanded l>y Captain Is. Dowse. The ship is one of 02 vessels employed by the City and Hall Line branch of the Ellerman Linos in the Eastern and African trades. She has a speed of VMt knots.] INSURANCE RATES. INCREASE IN HOMEWARD BOUND lit) Cable.- — Press Association.— Gopyriyhl. SYDNEY. January 4. The Underwriters' Association have received advices that the war insurance rates on homeward-bound ships via Suez have been increased to 5 per cent. The outward rates are unchanged.