A MYSTERY SHIP

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16801, 3 April 1919, Page 4

A MYSTERY SHIP

_:— +2 * OUTWITTING THE HUNS. Per Press Association. ■AUCKLAND. April 2. Mr Westmore, 'chief officer of the Cuefic, now in' port, is a brother of Lieutenant Commander-Westmore, who was in* command of the "mystery ship," whose exploit made Lieutenant Commander W. E. Sanders, V.C., famous. He states- that her crew were all volunteers. Lieutenant Sanders was then second in command. At; 6 . a.m. they heard firing in the distance and altered the course. Presently they sighted two German submarines' near a steamer carrying stores to Salonika. The steamer having been torpedoed, the crew had taken to the boats. When .the "mystery schooner" was close enough the commander of'the nearest submarine ordered her to stop?' Instead, the schooner ' lowered 'a' boat, containing about six men, who 'pulled as though they' had abandoned the ship. Commander Westmore, Lieuten-ant-Sanders and some 1 gunner's lay concealed on the schooner.-'When she drifted within 80 yards of the subarine .she broke the white ensign and fired her four guns' at point blank range. The submarine was practically blown to pieces and sank instantly. A second submarine attempted to attack the schooner but received a second salvo from her guns at 800 yards. The ; enemy craft disappeared below the surface and was not seen again. The steamer was not vitally damaged and her crew returned on board, and took her to port with the in tow. . - Commander Westmore received the D.S.O. and the chief gunner received the D.I.C. Lieutenant Sanders was. I also decirated .and giyen ,the command, !of ~a "mystery ship" on-which he .eventually gained the Y. 0.. '' .' I-'.