The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-08-23
SIX u. S. PRISONERS ON
U=BOAT THOUGHT LOST
Survivors of Campana Oil Tanker Think Converted
French Warship Destroyed Sub Carrying Americans
-Four Hour Fight Before Capture.

New York, Aug. 23-Six Ameri-
cans. taken prisoners after four
hour running fight with a U-boat in
which nearly 500 shots were ex-
changed, lost their lives few hours
later when the submarine was sunk
by a converted French cruiser. in
the belief Of one of their conpan-
ions.
The surviving companion was j. H.
Bruce, third mate of the Campania,
a Standard Oil tanker which fought
the U-boat. He and As others of'the
crew, including nine naval gunners,
arrived yesterday at an Atlantic port
aboard a French passenger steam
ship. M. Kolroferis, second engineer
of the tanker, confirmed Bruce's
story.
The men taken prisoner were capt.
Alfred Oliver of the Campania, of 225
East 123rd street, New York city, and
the following navy men: Chief Cum
ner's Mate James L. Delaney, Third
Glass Gunner's Mate Charles L. Kline,
Second Class Boatswain's Mate Ray
Roop, Ordinary Seaman Wilhelm Mil
Ter and Ordinary Seaman Frederick
8. Jacobs. $,
When news of the Campana's de-
struction by a U-boat reached
America newspapers were cautioned
by Washington against speculation
concerning the fate of the six prison
ers. 1t was thought possible that the
six men had been shot to death by
members of the submarine crew.
According to Bruce, who lives in
Providence, he was taken to the SUBJ
marine with Capt. Oliver and the
Is naval gunners on the Campana.
Lack of room and stores made II
necessary for the submarine COM
mander to reduce his number of cap
tives to six. He sent the others back
to their lifeboats.
Bruce told reporters the following
story:
1--WE left an American port on July
s, and discharged our cargo, after an
uneventful trip, at La PaIlice, France.
We were confident Of our ability to
hold off submarines. The tanker
could do IL knots in pinch and we
had three-inch guns fore and aft.
There were 10 naval gunners aboard.
1--WE started on Aug. from La
Pallice for Spain. We had no cargo
About $40 o'clock the morning OF
Aug. shell burst over US. Chief
Gunner Delaney directed his crew to
man the guns. Capt. Oliver put or
| top speed and shot the vessel along q
zigzag course. Far astern and firing
rapidly from a fot1r-inch gun forward
was big German submarine. It had
another big gun aft.
'.The U boats speed was superior
but our seamanship was better and
we managed to keep out of the dan
60 Tnv wa
once in a while the Germans would
dashin close and attempt to get us
with a shower of shells. But we
managed to draw away each time and
gave the Germans our compliments
from the three-inch gun.
mo help was in sight, SO we knew
we had to fight like blazes and run
like fury. We poured shot after sho1
at the Germans. When the engage
ment started they were 5000 yard
| away Most of the battle was a.
about 1900 yards. Both sides were
poor marksmen. Only once did thu
submarine hit us and that shot hi
the superstructure. We landed thre'
shots on the submarine, their com
mander told me later. and I thinl
one of our shells damaged the con
ing tower.
Z 'At 8 O'Clock we went to break
fast. That idea must have flashed
int othe submarine, for the U boat'
stopped Smelling us at the same time
Fifteen minutes later we resumed
fire.
.1The U boat fire one torpedo.
missed. Bye o'clock our ammunition
| was so low we were desperate. Capt
Oliver was game to the core. but h
didn't have. enough shells. We ha'
fired 800 shells and the Germans ha,