New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-23
By Ralph D. Paine


Are American armed merchant ships
really sinking any German submarines?
If you care to believe the waterside
rumors and fo'castle yarns, one OF
these devilish marauders is rammed or
blown up on every voyage across the
Atlantic. In saloons where merchant
seamen seek haven and pound the bar
with hairy fists strong liquors magnify
the tales, and one concludes that the
Ksiser's undersea feet must be wiped
out by now The navy's records are
less fanciful, strictly sdhering to the
motto Of the man from Missouri.
Here is the account of an action
fought by a cargo steamer which
leaves no room for doubt that one very
busy U-boat was suddenly removed
from the active list Of the imperial
German navy. II is advisable TO omit
the name Of the chief boatswain's mate
who commanded the gun crews. He
was promoted 10 warrant rank as re-
ward for the feat and is now stationed
ashore, but he may 30 to sea again in
charge OF another lot Of gunners, and
IL he should be taken prisoner the en-
envy would not love him for what he
did to d missing submarine. In lis
official report he states:
weather hazy. Saw submarine
firing on a topsail schooner, which
shortly after blew up. Changed course
to bring the submarine on our star
board beam about 5000 yards distant
and lost sight Of her in haze. Con-
tinued on this course for two hours
and then resumed our original course.
At 2:55 p. m. the submarine appeared
out OF the haze at $500 yards on our
ttarboard beam. She Immediately
opened FIRE. We changed course 70
bring her three points on the star
board quarter and returned the FIRE.
"The engagement lasted thirty-five
minutes, during which time the sub
marine fired about forty shots, scoring
one hit under our port counter foot
from the water and causing a leak.
We fred twenty-seven shots. The
twenty-siXth shot was seen to hit her
Just forward OF the forward gun, and
n cloud Of fame and dark gray smoke
burst from the matches. The crew Of
the submarine left the gun and ran
aft. Almost instantly the submarine
sank, bow first, the stern lifting high
out OF the water. so that the propellets
could be seen revolving. The steamer
was leaking and temporary repairs
were made by the crew"
\ When the ship reached her foreign
VI port Of destination and reported the
y victory an Official inquiry was ordered
BY the French government. A naval
lieutenant conducted il with great care
and confirmed the verdict Of the Amer
lean gunners. The steamer fought with
the American Gag flying, he stated in
his written opinion, firing twenty-seven
shots IN half an hour. The distance
increased about 100 metres for each
shot The twenty-sixth shot exploded
producing a thick black smoke, which
was visible to all on shipboard. Such
az explosion must have been produced
In the submarine itself He said, in
summing up the evidence:
"The result Of the inquiry is that
the fight has been very well conducted
and that the men have shown q very
fine spirit, doing honor 10 the Amer
icen navy. The conclusion may be
drawn that the submarine was hit and
probably sunk"
Shooting at Three Miles
This was first class shooting, the
submarine steadily drawing away until
when struck she wss 5000 yards, and
more, or three land miles from the
steamer Binoculars and telescope
sights enabled the gunners 70 distin-
ruish her with eleRrness and 10 note