Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-09-11
ONE SUBMARINE
PAYS PENALTY
CONTINUED from Page ~

lean steamers sent TO the bottom. 1t
is believed, however, that unless the
vessels went down very quick the 9th
er craft standing by probably had time
to pick up ali those in the water be-
fore they persisted.
Ambassador Sharp already has sent
an attache of the embassy at Paris
to the French port, at which the Am
erican ilotilla is put in to secure full
details OF the battle, 1t was assumed
by the state department.
Washington. Sept. 1.-THE biggest
naval action the United States sailors
have been in since the nation enter
ed the war was annouced by the
navy department today.
Two American steamers were sunk
in the encounter which was between
a squadron of armed steamers and
six German submarines off the coast
OF France.
Probably all of the U-boats were
sent down. the navy announced.
The navy department has received
which says that the American steam
er West-WegO reports that while
cruising with several other ships off
the coast of France on Sept 5, the
squadron was attacked by massed
force of six submarines. Two of the
steamers were sunk and probably all
of the submarines were lost"
The Westwego was an American
merchant ship travelling under con
voy to Europe. 1t is not know wheth-
er there were any casualties 1t is
supposed that the submarines were
sunk by the convoy.
Secretary Daniels has cabled Paris
for additional information.
The Westwego carried a crew of AZ.
The vessels that made up the
American squadron were not trans
ports II was learned at the navy de-
partment but ships in the regular mer.
chant trade. The navy department
was unable to forecast when the
names of the American steamers sunk
would be received here but of the
officials of the embassy at Paris
would be urged to rush all details of
the battle
The massed attack of the German
submarines was explained by naval
officials as being the new system de-
vised by the Berlin naval authorities
to cope with the American system OF
heavy conveys. The armed guards
are still maintained on merchantmen
II was stated, in addition to the pro
tective conveys that of the Westwe
go consisting Of IL men.
The Westwego displaced 5,275 tons
and hailed from Philadelphia She
was owned by the Union Petroleum
Steamship Company and fitted out tc
carry oil In bulk The Westwego was
comparatively new ship. having
been built in 1914 She was equip
ped with wireless.
The WcstwegO sailed from an Eur
opean port on her last westward voy
age late In July, under command o
Captain Mulcoy, and arrived at AZ
American port on August s. Later il
August according to the maritime reg
lister, the tanker sailed again for
Europe, presumably with cargo o
OIL
This was not the Westwego's frs
experience with submarine. Last
January she was halted of Fastne'
by German U-boat and compelled
to dump her cargo Of oil into the sea
The cargo was valued at about ST.,
100000.
Report Two More Ships Sunk.
An American Port, Sept IA re
port was received here today that the
British freighter Wentworth, com
manded by Captain Crone, and the
French freighter, Kouang command
ed by Captain Feangi, were sunk by
submarines off the French coast or
Sept 5.
The Wentworth and kousangSi are
believed to be the ships sunk in the
battle with an American convoy news
of which was given out by Secretary
of Navy Daniels in Washington to
day.
The Kouang-Si was a vessel Of
1898 tons, hailing from Newcastle
England.