The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-02-10
GUNNER TELLS OF
BARALONG ATTACK
Britain Says German Subma-
rine Could Have Sunk En-
emV If They Had Stuck
to Their Guns.

London, Feb. S.-The following affi-
davit of a gunner of the crew of the
British ship, Baralong, which refused
to rescue the crew of a German sub
marine sunk by the Baralong last Au-
gust, is the first authentic account Of
the affair the British government has
permitted to be made public:
"On August 10, at 2 p. m, we re-
ceived a wireless message from steam
ship Nicosian to say she was being
sending two men flying high into the
air. The next and successive shots all
hit the submarine, which gradually
sunk, everyone of her crew being either
drowned or shot, as only few parts
of bodies remained on the surface. The
action lasted four minutes, 80 seconds,
during which time we fired 81 rounds
from the two guns. The submarine
was one of Germany's latest and
largest, being 300 feet long and 1000
tons. She had two guns mounted fore
and aft of slightly larger caliber
than our own.
Germans Heavier Guns.
We then took aboard the crew of
the steamship Nicosian, who numbered
107 not one of whom had been injured
or killed. We afterward went along
sue the NlCOSldl anu ulSSONSISu lhciI
the damage caused by the German
shells was comparatively slight, and
that she could proceed dowly under her
own steam on her original course to
AVonmouth. Our casualties were nil,
but we were all absolutely Disguised at
the cowardice displayed by the crew
of the submarine, who were more
heavily armed than ourselves, their
two guns being of hevier caliber than
our own, in addition to which they had
several torpedo tubes, whereas we
could only get to bear upon them two
guns. If they had stuck to their guns
they would at least have stood sport
ing chance, although always ready to
attack defenseless merchant ships, and
kill and MAIN their passengers and
crew, have no stomach for fighting
armed ships of H. M. navy, even when
chased by a German submarine. We
accordingly altered our course, and
proceeded at full speed to her as
sistance. At 3 p. m. we sighted
steamship Nicosian, which was being
shelled by the submarine, while the
crew were getting into their lifeboats.
We got plenty of ammunition ready on
the poop, and at $3.50 p. m. the marines
took cover behind the bulwarks on the
port side of the after we'll deck, with
their rifles. The gunners also took
cover behind their guns.
All Drowned Or Shot.
"A P. M.-'Stand by By excellent
seamanship our captain brought our
ship upon the starboard side Of the
steamship NiCosian, the submarine be-
ing on the port side, so that for few
minutes we were hidden from the sub
marines view. During that short in
terval we had cleared for action and
trained guns Outbroad, set sights for
700 yards, and hoisted the White En-
sign. AS soon as we appeared round
the bows of steamship Nicosian the
submarine fired one shot at us, which
went wide, over the bows Of our ship.
The marines then opened fire with a
we'll aimed volley, which swept the
deck of the submarine and seemed to
demoraliZe her crew, for they i'm
mediately left their guns and rushed
for the coming tower, several falling
overheard, but whether they were shot
by rifle fire or whether they dived
over from panic l do not know.
I'VE then opened fire with our port
and stern guns, but the first shot was
a bit short. However, 1 should say it
hit the submarine beneath the water
line. The next shot hit the coming
tower, which appeared to split in half,
Ihe odds are in their favor"