Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-10-12
NAVAL BATTLES OF THE
WORLD WAR.
BATTLE ON LAKE rANGANd<A

was naval hattle, virtually
naval campaign, that, in the final an
alysis, secured to the British Soutl
African forces the ascendancy il
German East Africa.
Lake Tanganyika, one of the Afrl
can Great Lakes, lies in position
which offers the opportunity of flank
ing the German East African colonies
similarly while the Germans hole
control OF the water, they would BIZ
enabled to flank any advancing
British invaders.
The situation on the lake was an
aiogous to that of the conquest OF
Lake Eric by the American Commo
dore Perry, who, with raw force OF
men. conjured from the virgin for
ests. fleet. and conquered a first
class enemy squadron.
The British invaders into the Ger
man colony determined to accomplish
the conquest OF Lake Tanganyika
There were no British boats afoat
on the water while their enemy main,
tanned small squadron of various
lake craft. all equipped with efficient
light guns.
With nothing to work with and or
ders to "get" the lake for the crown,
Commander Godfrey Simson the Of
ficer to whom the project was in
trusted. had only his own resources
to depend on in the dilemma. But
they proved ample, as will be seen.
Two motor launches were shipped
to him in sections. At the lake shore
the launches were assembled and SCI,
In the water A smaller motorboat
was found in foray along the shore.
II was rotted and waterlogged, but
was repaired after fashion and sue.
cessfully launched. One small one,
FOUNDER was fixed in the bows of
each of the boats They were ready
to do battle
Before dawn of sluggish African
morning the fleet set out, fighting
swarms of voracious mosquitoes as
they glided over the water in lurch.
ing, unbalanced fashion. Every few
seconds one of the engines would
wheeze and choke and come to
dead stop. Volleys Of curses and
pouring OF perspiration accompanied
the laboriOus repairs. Then the boat
would get IN motion again and chug
its way against the slapping. oil-like
surface Of the water for several miles,
only for the process to be repeated,
The men were in fine fettle, indeed,
to fight any enemy by the time they
neared the supposed location of the
enemy fleet"
Several hours of sailing up every
cove and creek entrance and exam
ming every indentation in the shore
at length brought them within sight
Of small beach, brown and sandy.
and decorated by small white hut
about \ a furlong from the waters
edge Y II soon became evident that
the Germans had very efficient
lookout. and that he had scurried
into the hut and unburdened the
choice news-a British fleet. sailing
up the lake. THE man was trust
worthy and the rum supply had been
finished for fortnight. And then
the situation. II true, was not one
conducive to levlty. So, several ath-
letic young Germans scrambled out
of the shelter and promptly hurried
in again, verifying the sentinePs in
formation.
The crew filed out and soon Eng
lish binoculars were interestedly fol-
lowing some two dozen Germans
dashing down to the lake and piling
into their navy" The boats were
squatty white things and carried q
very Grim looking gun fore and aft.
Soon the two fleets were gingerly ad
vancing toward each other and scan.
ming each others armament.
The English entered the battle
promising their motors an extra
drink of petrol, or whatever motors
like, II the contrary conglomeration
of springs. cylinders and Wheezy
noises would only stay in action long
enough for the men to capture a good
motor from the enemy. The Germans
were evidently superioH though the
vessels engaged were equal in mum,
Der.
As the fleets met an indiscriminate
melee ensued. Reviewers, Maxims
one Founders and rifles cracked,
roared and smashed There was very
little blood shed, for the opposing |
sides were very much more interested |
III sinking enemy craft. Therein lay
the whole distiny on the lake. After
several hours Of mutual hammering
both sides withdrew exhausted. About |
one.fourth OF the Germans were
killed, wounded or drowned, and the
British losses somewhat less. One
German ship OF the line" lay
sunkenia wreck in shallow water
There was no more fighting during
the day, but during the night the
British succeeded in raising the
wrecked enemy For week both |