Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-07-11
FLEET ROUTS DIVERS
U. S. wARsHIPs DEFEAT sURMA
RINES WHICH ATTACK TRANS
PORTS ON WAY TO FRANCE.
ONE U-B0AT SENT TO BOTTOM
Secretary Daniels in Announcing Ar.
rival Of Pershing's Troops Say
Germans Failed TO Score
One Hit.

Washington, July 6.-Alnerican de
strOyers conveying transports with
troops for France fought off two sub
marine attacks. The first news of the
fights was given out by the committee
on public information with the formal
announcement of the safe arrival of
the last of the transports with their
! conveys.
at least one submarine was sunk.
| Both of the attacks were made in
force, showing that the Germans had
information of the coming of the trans
ports and planned to get them.
This announcement was issued:
THE navy department received word
of the safe arrival at a French port
Of the last contingent of General Per
shing's expeditiOnary force. At the
time the information was released an
nouncement also was made that the
transports were twice attacked by
submarines on the way across.
No ship was hit, not an American
life was lost, and while the navy dis
patches report the sinking of one sub
marine only, there is reason to be-
lieve that others were destroyed In
the first night attack"
Secretary Daniels made this state
ment:
1T is with the joy of great re-
lief that l announce to the people of
the United States the safe arrival in
France of every fighting man and ey-
cry fighting ship.
Now that the last vessel has
reached port, il is safe to disclose the
dangers that were encountered and to
tell the complete story Of peril and
courage.
The transports bearing our troops
We're twice attacked by German sub
marines on the way across. On both
occasions the U-boats were beaten
off with every appearance of loss.
One was certainly sunk, and there is
reason to believe that the accurate
fire of OGT gunners sent others to the
bottom.
An ocean rendezvous had also been
arranged with the American destroy
ers now operating in European waters.
The first attack took place at 10 80
on the night of June %. What gives
it peculiar and disturbing significance
is that our ships were set upon at q
point well this side of the rendezvous.
and il that part of the Atlantic pre-
sumably free from submarines.
The attack was made in force, al
though the night made impossible any
exact count of the U-boats gathered
for what they deemed a slaughter.
THE high seas convoy, circling with
their searchlights. answered with
heavy gunfre, and it's accuracy stands
proved by the fact that the torpedo
discharges became increasingly scat
tered and inaccurate.
1T is not known how many torpe-
does were launched, but five were
counted as they sped by bow and
stern.
"a second attack was launched a
few days later against another con-
tingent. The point Of assault was be-
yond the rendezvous and our destroy
ers were sailing as a screen between
the transports and all harm. The re-
suits Of the battle were in favor Of
American gunnery.
Not alone did the destroyers hold
the U-boats at a safe distance, but
their speed also resulted in the sink
ing Of one submarine at least.
"Grenades were used in firing a
depth charge explosive, timed to go
off at a certain distance under water
"In another instance, oil and wreck
age covered the surface of the sea
after q shot from a destroyer at a
periscope. and the reports make claim
of sinking.
protected by our high seas convoy,
by our destroyers and by French war
vessels, the contingent proceeded and
Joined the others in French port.
'sThe whole nation will rejoice that
so great a peril is passed for the van
guard of the men who viii fight our
battles In France. No more thrilling
Fourth of July celebration could have
been arranged than this glad news
fhat Nus lhe suduoW VI uFeau IFOm
the heart of America
Paris, July 6.-Paris went wild with
enthusiasm on the Fourth In acclaim
Ing its gratitude to America. It's mill
lions cheered themselves hoarse as a
battalion of General Pershing's bronzed
veterans swung along in parade. Gag
erness TO get at the foe appearing in
every snappy step. They cheered
again, so thunderously that the whole
city seemed to roar, as they espled
General Pershing himself and their
own idol, Papa" Joffre. hurrying in
an automobile through the streets.