American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-07-06

American destroyers convovina,
transports with troops for France
lought OF two submarine attacks.
Inc hTst news Of the fights was given
out late Tuesday by the committee ON
public information, with formal an
nouncement Of the safe arrival OF The
last OF the transports with their con-
Yoys.
The navy department at 5 o'clock
Tuesday afternoon received word ~
The safe arrival at a French mort ~
the last contingent Of General per-
shings expeditionary force. At the
/ time the information was released an
nouncement also was made that the
transports were twice attacked by sub
marines on the way across.
At least one submarine was sunk
Both Of the attacks were made in
force, showing that the Germans had
information of the coming of tha
transports and planned 10 get them.
No ship was hit, not an American
life was lost, and while the navy dis
patches report the sinking of only one
submarine, there is reason to believe
that others were destroyed in the first
night attack
Secretary Daniels made this state
ment:
1t is with the JOY of a great relief
that l announce TO the people of the
United States the safe arrival in
France Of every fighting man ana
every ship.
Now that the last vessel has reach
ed port, it is safe to disclose the dan
gers that we're encountered. and to
tell the complete story of peril and
courage.
The transports bearing our troops
were twice attacked by German sub
marines on the way across. On both
occasions the U-boats we're beaten off
with every appearance of loss. One
certainly was sunk and there is reason
to believe that the accurate fire of our
! gunners sent others to the bottom.
For purposes of convenience the ex-
pedition was divided into contingents.
each contingent including troop ships
) and a naval escort. designed to keep
( off such German raiders as might be
met
An ocean rendezvous had also been
e. arranged with the American destroy
r ers now operating in the European
. waters, in order that the passage or
the danger zone might be attended by
! every possible protection.
2 The first attack took place at 1O:SS
4 on the night Of June p. What gives
j. iit peculiar and disturbing significance
- is that our ships we're set upon at a
point we'll this side of the rendezvous
p and in that part OF the Atlantic pre-
i.-r.. D. 4 rr.-.a erafr rfn
e The attack was made at night which
e made it impossible to give any exact
e account of the U-boats gathered for
what they DENIED a slaughter.
The high seas convoy, circling with
their searchlights, answered with
n heavy gun FIRE. and its accuracy stands
proved by the fact that the torpedo
I discharge became increasingly scat
= tered and Inaccurate It not known
how many torpedoes we're launched
but hve were counted as they sped by
= bow and stern.
4 A second attack was launched a few
o days later against another contingent
The point of assault was beyond the
n rendezvous and our destroyers were
& sailing as a screen between the trans
IF ports and all harm. The results Of th'
"a battle were in favor of American gun
Ie merry.
Not alone did the destroyers hOlC
ir the U-boats at a safe distance. bu
d their speed also resulted in the sink
ID ing of one submarine, at least. Gren
D. AIDES were used in firing, a depth
ST charge explosive, timed to go off al
b. certain distance under water. In ont
70 instance oil and wreckage covered tn
surface of the sea after shot from
m destroyer at periscope. and the re
"a ports make claim of sinking.
al Protected by our high seas convoy
he by our destroyers. and by French va
* vessels. the contingent proceeded an
IN ioined the others in a French port.
e. The whole nation will rejoince tina
le so great a peril is passed for the van
n guard of the men who will fight ou
battles in France. No more thrillin
$ Fourth of July celebration could hav
n been arranged than this glad news ths
s. lifts the shadow from the heart q
r America.