The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1917-06-21
AMERICAN ship
SUNK IN BATTLE
TANK STEAMER MoRENl IN TWO
HOUR FIGHT.
$50 SHELLS ARE EXCHANGED
Schooner Ritter Also Attacked and
Damaged, But Escapes.-crew of
the Torpedoed PetroIite All
Rescued and Well.

Washington, June 16.-The Ameri-
can tank steamer Moreni was sunk by
German submarine June II after
running fight of two hours. Four Of
the crew lost their lives.
AS Told by State Department.
The story is told in this statement
by the state department:
fA 'The department of state is informed
of the sinking Of the American tank
steamer Moreni about six o'clock on
the morning of June II after two
hour running fight with German sub
marine.
$50 Shots Are Exchanged.
"The vessel was first fired upon from
an estimated distance OF 5000 yards at
four, o'clock. The steamer, which was
armed and carried gun crew, re-
turned the shots and attempted to es-
cape. There was a light breeze and
smooth sea. The submarine was hard
ly visible. After $50 shots in reply to
some 200 shots fired by the submarine,
the crew abandoned the vessel, which
was all ablaze, taking to the lifeboats
in fiery sea.
American oler Drowned.
"An oiler, Edward Cunningham Of
Brooklyn, was drowned while escaping
to boat. Wireless Operator G. Cur
ran, Jr., of New York, died of heart
failure In the lifeboat, and one seaman,
K. Moustner, was injured by gunfire
and died In lifeboat. Fireman A. Geei-
sen also died of wounds. These last
two were treated by the surgeon Of
the submarine.
German Captain Gives Praise.
1.-THE German submarine captain con-
graduated the American captain upon
the splendid fight he had made.
Half an hour after the vessel was
sunk the crew was picked up by pass
ing steamer. Forty-three of the original
crew of forty-seven were landed. Six of
these were slightly hurt and placed in
hospital. All the gunners were
saved"
Sailed for Leehorn, Italy.
New York, June 16.--The Moreni,, a
tank steamer Of 4,O45 tons gross, owned
by the Standard Oil company, sailed
from here May for Baton Rouge, La,
whence she departed May u for Leg
horn, Italy. She was last reported
passing Gibraltar June u, the day she
was sunk. The Moreni was command
ed by Capt. Thomas Thompson.
Entire Crew Saved.
Washington, June 16-The gun crew
OF the American oil tanker Moreni
sunk by submarine after two hours
battle was commanded by Andrew
Coppassaki, a Greek boat swain mate,
whose wife lives in Greece it was an
nounced today. The entire crew was
saved
Schooner Ritter Attacked.
Washington, June 1.-THE Ameri-
can schooner Ritter was attacked by
a German submarine and damaged by
shell fire according to advices received
by the state department to-day. AL
though badly shattered by the shell
fire from the large U-boat the ship
was not sunk. The announcement re-
ceived by the state department did
not disclose the cause of the attack
nor the location.
PetroIites Crew Safe.
Washington, June 16-All Of the
Petrolites crew are safe. The state
department was advised today that
all of the men and the missing boats
had been landed and that all were
we'll
Japanese Steamer Sunk.
Tokia, June 16.-The Japanese
steamer Sakaki has been torpedied
by submarine in the Mediterranean
it was officially announced here to-
day. Four officers and fifty-four men
persisted. The remainder reached
port in safety.
Another American Ship Hit.
Elizabeth, N. j., June ia tele-
gram announcing the torpedoing of
the Anna r. Heidritter, four masted
sailing vessel loaded with thing.
reached here today. She was at
tackled off Gibraltar and was saved
from sinking only by the timely ac-
commodations of British and French
vessels who towed her crews to a
French port.