The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-07-07
lIT1lE WITH U-BolTs.
GERMAN ATrENlPr N DESTROY
AMERICAN TRANSPORTS
4. FAILED.
AnAcsscen Dcstroyers Defeated Attack
q Expeditin 70 France In Mid-At.
lausic-Not . ship or Man Lost.

at . French port Of the last ships of
che nrst American overseas expedi-
tion was announced today by Secre-
tsy Daniels in q statement revealing
that twice on the way 'across the At
lantic German submarines attacked In
force and were fought of by convoy
ins warships.
The Americans ala not lose a man.
. ship or an animal. At least one Of
the undersea enemies was destroyed.
The work Of spies through whom
the Germans knew secrets OF the ex-
petition h disclosed by the news that
the nrsa attack was made far at see
bsfors the transports and their con.
voys reached the point at which
rsadssvous had been arranged with
the American destroyer fiotilla operat-
ing IN European waters. The subma-
.rine commanders apparently knew
whore and when to expect the Amer.
teams bound for the lighting lines In
France. and were assembled In force
% msse them.
u Wa yesterday. just q week after
the ar~t troops landed. that the last
vsssss ppt into the French port. rhey
were slower craft carrying supplies
and horsss. aH
The GOOD news came to the navy
department late this afternoon from
Rear Admiral olsaves. commanding
the convoy squadron. and was made
public at once ss an appropriate an
nouncemsnt ON the eve Of the Fourth
of July. Secretary Daniels statement.
which tells all of the story deemed
wise to publish. follows:
Secretary Daniels made this state
msnt:
1T y with the Joy OF q great relief
that announce to the people OF the
unitsd states the safe arrival In
France OF every nshting man and
every nghttng chip.
Now that the last vessel has reach.
"a port. Il u safe to disclose the dang
sss that wsrs encountered and to tell
lhe sempists story OF peril and cour.
'-Ehs ts>nsports bearing our troops
yees svjes attacked b. German sub
taysnss - ths vAy aeruss. on botis'
eesasieas the u-boats were beaten Off
with every appearance Of loss. One
was certainly sunk and there In reason
to helisvs that the accurate fire OF our
sunnsrs sent others to the bottom.
Tor the purpose OF convenience,
the expedition was divided into con-
tingsnts. each contingent including
troop ships and q naval escort design
ID to keep OF such German raiders
90 might be met.
.'An ocean rendezvous had also
bssn arranged with the American de-
ssroysrs now operating In European
waters In order that the passage of
hs danger some might be attended by
every possible protection.
The nrst attack took place at
1880 on the night OF June %. What
gives II peculiar and disturbing signin.
cancs h that our ships were set upon
at . point well this side OF the rem.
dszvous ana In that part of the At
lantic presumably free from subma-
rinss
The attack was made in force. al
though the night made imp ossibie any
exact count Of tho u-boats gathered
for what they deemed q slaughter.
The high seas convoy. circling with
their searchlights. answered with
heavy gun f're and ts accuracy stands
proved by the fact that the torpedo
discharge became increasingly scat
tered and inaccurate. 1t In not known
how many torpedoes were launched.
but nve were counted an they sped nv
bow and stern.
"A second attack was launched
q few days later against another con-
unsent. The point Of assault was
beyond the rendezvous and our de-
ssroysrs were sailing as a screen be.
tween the transports and all harm.
The results Of the battle were In ia
vor Of the American sunnery.
'Not alone did the destroyer, hold
the u-boats at a safe distance, but
their speed also resulted In the sink
lpg OF one submarine at least. Gren-
AIDES were used In firing. a depth
charge explosive timed to go off at
certain distance under water. In
nm insfa ncA oIl aad ..x-aalx ..e .4-.x.-