DARING WORK

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11217, 24 October 1914, Page 9

DARING WORK

BY SUBMARINES.

HUNTED CONTINUOUSLY.

GUARDING THE TRANSPORTS.

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. (Received October 24, 4.15 p.m.) LONDON, October 23.

The Pross Bureau says that Captain Keys, Commander of tho British submarines in the Korth Sea, reports as follows:—-"Three hours fcftcr the outbreak of war submarines 356 and EB, unaccompanied, carried out a rcconnaissanco in the Heligoland Bight and returned with useful information. Tlioy had tho privilege of being the pioneers upon this service, which was attended with some risk. During tho transportation of the Expeditionary Forces by tho Lurcher and Fire Drake, nil the submarines of the Eighth Flotilla occupied positions and could have attacked tho German high sea fleet if it had emerged to dispute the passage of the transports. This patrol was maintained da-y and night, with no relief, until tho Army had been transported and all chance of effective interference had disappeared.

These submarines have since been incessantly employed off the enemy's coast in the Heligoland Bight and elsewhere, -and have obtained much valuable information regarding the composition and movements of his patrols. They occupied his waters, reconnoitred his finchorag63, have been subjected to skilful anti-submarine tactics, hunted continuously by torpedo craft, and attacked, by gun fire and torpedo boats.

After E9 sank the Hela, six miles south ox Heligoland on September 13, German destroyers were summoned and hunted her for hours.

On September 14, E9 examined the outer anchorage of Heligoland at considerable risk. E6, while diving, found the mooring of a German mine, which it effectively released. Only once were the British submarines within torpedo range of a German cruiser. During daylight the German capital vessels never, and their light cruisers seldom, emerged from the fortified harbours.

During the exceptionally heavy western gales from September 14 to September 21, the submarines were within a few miles of the enemy's coast, being subjected to a trying ordeal. The maintenance of their tion under such conditions was distinctly creditable. All the commanders keenly aeek service in the Heligoland Bight.