New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-24
u. S. Doubles
Shell Supply of
Armed Ships
Navy Department Acts to
Prevent Repetition of
Campana Sinking
ISpecill Coresponi.n-eJ

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23.-Admiral
Benson, chief of the bureau Of opera
tions of the Navy Department, said to-
day the department would double the
amount Of ammunition allotted TO Amer
ican-armed merchant ships. Heretofore
each ship has received 100 rounds Of
ammunition per gun.
The experience of the Campana, which
was sunk after firing her last shot in a
running fight with a German subma-
rine, is believed to have determined the
Navy Department to issue more ammu-
milton. The Campana had $50 rounds.
In Admiral Benson's opinion, the two
important factors which accounted for
the loss of the Campana we're the size
Of the target and the speed Of the
U-boat and of the Campana, that Of the
U-boat being as great if not faster than
the Standard Oil tramp. The steamer
afforded a better target than the sub
marine, and even in these circumstances
the submarine scored only two hits.
Admiral Benson cautioned the public
against accepting as final the statemen,
of Third officer ]. II. Bruce, Of the
Campans, that five American gunners
and the captain Of the Campana per-
ished on the submarine. Bruce be-
lieved the submarine, which made the
Americans prisoners, was later de-
stroyed by French warship.
at is only surmise on his part, and
think it ought not to be accepted as
conclusive" Admiral Benson said.
Secretary of the Navy Daniels stated
the Campana was the onlv vessel that
has used 1870 rounds OF ammunition.
The Campana's guns, he said, had a
range of $500 yards, and probably was
, outranged by the submarine. The tramp
had a speed Of ten knots, the submarine
twelve, he added.
Admiral Benson asserted some OF
the armed merchantmen have three
inch guns with range Of $500 yards.
az think in this case. however, it was
a question of the target" he said. "The
submarine had a big target at great
range and was probably just far enough
out of the water to fire, which would
be a very difficult target for our men,
and the submarine probably had the
advantage of speed.
"The tankers are probably of not
more than 10 knots speed, and the sub
marine at that depth could make IL or
ii knots, and could change her position
and get the range easily. In the report
you will notice only two of their shots
struck. | think it was a question OF
size of target They, no doubt, had ex
ccllent range finders, and by lying still
thew can take observations, easily get
tic speed of their target and get the
range of the vessel as she travels
Ammunition Exhausted
Asked il the department had con-
fimat'on of the report that the Cam
tana's ammunition was exhausted, Adj
mir1i Benson replied:
"Yes. il was exhausted. The ships
have about one hundred rounds of am
munition for each gun. They are given
All the ammunition they think they will
reed. As soon as il is found they can
use more they get it. We don't give all
vessels range-fnders, and the range is
found by spotting."
Concerning the training of gun crews
in spotting. Admiral Benson said:
"Some are better than others; but In
every case they have target practice
Nth the guns they are TO use. They
ore all directed TO have gun practice
,,;th the guns as they cross