ECHO OF THE WAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19994, 10 November 1927, Page 7

ECHO OF THE WAR

FIGHTS WITH U-BOATS A Gallant Strugajle Against Great Odds EPIC OF MERCHANT SERVICE ( Special “ Chronicle ” Se’vioe- J AUCKLAND, Nov. 9. A well-earned 0.8. E. stands against the name of Captain Alexander 8. J. Carpenter, master of the steamer Harpalycc, which is at present discharging at Auckland. This decoration is a reward for his gallantry in fighting off and finally sinking a Geamn submarine when in command of the steamer HarI flete. I The Harflete was en route from Cuba ! with 9000 tons of sugar, and was to ' call at Queenstown. The voyage I across the Atlantic had been unevent- | ful and the vessel was nearing her ! rendezvous, where she was to pick up lan escort to take her into port. About i two o’clock on the afternoon of April 26, .1917, a tell-tale line of bubbles on the water showed the course of a torpedo, which was heading straight for the vessel. The wheel was swung hard over and the deadly missile passed harmlessly by. Knowing that second torpedo would probably follow the first, Captain Carpenter swung his ship off in the opposite direction. The manoeuvre was only just in time for a second shot passed under the log-line, and again the Harflete swung round to present her stern to the enemy. The U-Boat Rises. Meanwhile the stokers down below, fully aware of their peril, were working like mad to get every available fraction of speed out of the vessel. She was doing between thirteen and fourteen knots when the U boat rose to the surface about a quarter of a mile astern and started in pursuit. The gunner of the Harflete, who had been waiting cargerly behind his little 12-pounder gun on the poop, immediately let fly, but failed to score a hit. The submarine answered from a gun on her deck, but, in spite of the large target the Harflete offered, its shells failed to get homo. This was owing to the fine seamanship of Captain Carpenter, who timed with surprising accuracy the enemy’s shots and, by steering a zigzag course, successfully avoided them. The running fight continued for three., and a half hours, neither side scoring a hit. With only two shots left, the gunner of the Harflete then performed what seemed like a miracle. The first shell hit the U boat’s gun and swept it overboard, and the second tore a great hole in her conning tower. A Second Enemy. Being still dangerous by reason of her torpedoes, the Hun was left to float until the first puff of wind should send her to the botton, while the Harflete went rejoicing on her way towards safety. But an avenger was soon on her trail. The first submarine had been finally disabled at 3.30 p.m., and at 5.30 another periscope appeared on the starboard quarter. It disappeared again, but the watch caught glimpses of it several times during the evening and all attempts to dodge away in the dark were fruitless, and at 9.45 p.m., a terrific explosion shook the vessel and she listed heavily. Under cover Qi darkness, the submarine had “got home” with a torpedo. The crew of the Harflete were rescued in their boats next morning.