FIGHTING THE SUBMARINES

Waikato Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5727, 2 October 1914, Page 3

FIGHTING THE SUBMARINES

A GERMAN ATTACK FRUSTRATED.

A graphic story of the action which resulted in the loss to the Germans of submarine Uls was printed by the "Scotsman" from a correspondent. On the Sunday the cruiser squadron, on occupying its allotted place in the present naval dispositions, became aware of the approach of a submarine flotilla.

The enemy approached submerged, only the periscopes showing above the surface of the water.

J; The exact number of the attacking flotilla was noted, but need not be stated. The attitude of the squadron in face of the approach of "the deadliest of things that keep the eea" was coolly deceptive. There Hcems no doubt that the German were utterly misled. The tactics followed will not be uecribed, though they were, of course, seen by the enemy's flotilla. Then came a change. The nearest submarine was showing her periscope at a distance just within the danger zone when the cruiser Birmingham, steaming at full speed, fired the first shot. The shut was aimed at the thin line of the periscope, which ripped the surface, and the gunnery was splendid, shattering the periscope. The submarine, fnow a blinded thing rushing under water in immediate danger of self-destruction from cjilision with one of the- cruisers ploughing above, was in a serious plight. Her consorts recognised their danger and made off, but the sightless submarine, in the circumstances in which the action was being fought, was bound to come to the surface.

The cruiser had not long to wait for her reappearance. As the dark mass of the conning tower of the enemy showed on the surface the guns of the Birmingham covered i(, and in a moment the second shot was fired.

There was just time for the observers to see the distinguishing number and letter of the doomed vessel ere a shot, striking the base of the conning tower just where it was awash, ripped the whole structure clean out of the submarine, and she Bank like a stone instantaneously. The shot from a vessel steaming at full speed provided the second example of the qualities of the gunners of the Navy. The effect of ;the action upon the morale of the enemy, so far as the submarine service is concerned, is calculated to be not inconsiderable, and the grim coolness of the cruiser squadron, which so completely deceived the opposing vessels by running in the silence of apparent unconsciousness almost within the range denied by their foes, is not likely to be soon forgotten by the German officers of the surviving submarines who witnessed the occurrence.