Norwich bulletin., 1915-02-17
Stories of the War
In a German Submarine.

A German army officer, Hanns vom Rhyn, who had the opportunity of wit messing ar. attack made by the sub marine "U 26,' describes his impress sions and observa tiors in the Vienna Times as follows:
 Two hours before midnight, About the mighty granite blocks of the breal1water in the outer harbor rages the autumn gale. Furiously the waves break against the massive stone pier. RhythniCally the surge lifts the black submarine which lies alongside Tn the profound darkness it Is difficult to distin9 uish what takes place on board. That, however, something unusual is to happen is observable from the shadows moving rapidly past the deck lights. From the engine room rOars a hollow stamping and rattling and the black monster quiVers and shakes on it's steel cables as the screw makes trial revolutions.
 Ten thirty. There is s press on the lever up in the sail-covered tower where the young commandant stands dressed in oiIskins. The cables are cast off. a shrill signal is sounded ill the engine-room. Thunderirg. the From the e-edge bow a small wave comes aft, it parts and rustles along both sides to the wake and the submarine with flying coIors steers out lQLO the trOdu GeIIn3n ocean, westward bound toward the enemy.
 Not a single star is visible, only the heavy black clouds chase one another over the stormy heavens. Even a few yards from the solitary craft every thing vanishes in absolute darkness which the commander tries to pierce with practiced eye The wind whistles over the surface of the water, and now, where the waves come SiaEtinG from star5Oard. a heavy spray washes over the deck. The officers oil coat Grips with spray. Foaning end rearing tne frCth-croWned waves GisGncsT behind the submarines black body. The rhythmical thunder of the motors and the crashing of the waves against the arEIorplates of the coEcavel wave breaker are the only audible sounds.
 Day daWns in q bluiSh gray light. Suddenly on the port side a passing shadow appears a few minutes later the submarine crosses 8 gray hardly distfnguishable foamy trace, which marks the hurried way of a hostile torpedo destroyer. Thus the first line Of the enemTS outpost is reached. Now, Attention! Pulses beat rapidly with excitement. The signal sounds to clear the boat for diving. The commandant's tower is taken down, the flag put within and the mast fast ened down. The upper porthole in the tower is closed. the periscope is made ready. The water rushes into the out most tanks. the boat dives under the surface Of the ocean. The gasOlene motors stop: now an electric motor takes their place.
 While the young commander is seated at the periscope watching fer the enemy, the gunners stand ready for acton at their posts. In the bow torpedo chamber the brave sailors crouch half naked about the dull shin ing torpedo tube Only two electric lights Illuminate the small room. A dense odor of gasolene fills all the com pal'tmcnts, breathing is difficult. The noise of the machines, the thund- eripg and crashing of the water out side makes conversation impossible II Is unbearably hot, precipitation flows down the faces of the sailors. For the purpose of purifying the small supply Of air the men wear sponges soaked in potassium. Every once in 8. while the chief gunner looks at watch and compass which he wears about the wrist anXiously eyes are concentrated on the signal apparatus. The motors