The Oskaloosa herald., 1917-06-28
AMERICAN GUNAERs
Observation-Disclosures
Yankees Win Battle With U-Boat
Near Liverpool.
TWO OTHER SHIPS ATTACKED
Wireless Operator Of U. S. Frelehter
Gives Vivid Story Of Fight With
German Diversified Wrecks
Periscope.

An American Atlantic Port, June %.
The commander of an American
armed steamer said that he believed
he sunk U-boat on June 4, when two
days out from Liverpool, en- route to
an Atlantic port. Beyond this state
ment the captain would not vouchsafe
any Information.
A story written by the wireless OPP
orator on the steamer says:
"We discharged our cargo at Liver
pool and left for our homeward voyage
on June 1. We were running at night
without lights. The guns were cleared
for ACTION, but we hoped we would be
asrlucky going back as we were going
over.
Ships Nearby Fight Submarine.
"We saw one submarine June A. One
British ship-her wireless call was T..
l.. o., her. name was not listed In the
international radio stations of the
world-sent signal of distress, which
we picked up. She reported she was
attacked by submarine. The British
ship was exchanging shots with the
submarine for about half hour. When
they reported by wireless the subma-
rine had submerged.
81 heard s. o. S. from another Brit
ish vessel-the Manchester Port. She
reported, she was being attacked by a
submarine. She was fighting at close
range. After 20 minutes of hard fight
ing the submarine again submerged
and the Manchester Port at 6:1S p. m.
wirelessed she was not damaged.
"We could plainly see the shells from
those British vessels as they dropped,
but could not see the submarines with
which they were fighting with or with
out glasses.
Torpedo Suddenly Sighted.
"After the second unsuccessful at
tempt to sink the two ships we con-
sidered we were apparently out of
danger. About 6 80 p. m. one of the
gunners sighted a torpedo headed
straight for us. He shouted to the
bridge: Here she comes, torpedo port
slde.'
"The chief officer, who was on the
bridge, shouted to the quartermaster
Hard starboard.' We swung off,. The
torpedo had red head about sixteen
inches in diameter. She was about ten
feet long. The torpedo struck us on
the portside, q glancing blow amidship
right near the engine room. Our ship
was empty and we all thought she had
exploded from the terrific noise she
made when she hit.
simultaneously the ships whistle
blew short and successive blasts, which
was signal to abandon ship and man
the lifeboats. / then sent out a signal
of distress, which was picked up by
the Manchester Port.
Torpedo Failed to Explode.
"The captain, who had remained on
the ship, found the torpedo had failed
to explode, All hands were then or
dered back on ship. We were lying
perfectly still for at least an hour.
when the commander of the subma-
rine saw our crew coming back from
lifeboats and climbing upon deck he
Immediately gave up his chase for two
other British merchant ships and start
ed for us again. The submarine was
about 1000 yards off our starboard
beam.
Suddenly came the command, Man
the guns . r.
"The gun crews scrambled to the
deck. They ran fore and aft to their
respective positions. The chief gun
ner gave them their ranges from the
bridge.
Three Shots Hit Submarine.
"When about 600 yards off our star
board quarter q shell from our forward
gun hit her and she submerged. Again
she appeared and our after gun hit her
and blew away her periscope. Another
shot from our forward gun fell right
ON top of her. There was shower of
black specks which rose high in the
air, followed by a great commotion,
bubbles of water and a light blue smoke
arising from the stern of the U-boat."
Lands ORDERS BARS SHUT