New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-21
HOUSATONIC SUNK
BY RAIDER U-53
Regards to America"
Shouted Lieut.. Hans Rose
as Submarine Dove

Z; was the U-53, Newport visitant
and Nantucket Shoals marauder, that
.snk the American freighter Housa-
ionic on February 3. according 10
Thomas A. Ensor. captain Of the
f-eigbter. who arrived here yesterday
an the Orduna. The dapper and ever
courteous Lieutenant Hans Rose, whose
captivating beardlet and charming man
pers won Newport at first sight, was
as urbaue as ever, Captain Ensor de-
clared.
~Here comes your taxi, captain.
Rose sang out TO the crew of the
Bousatonic as they rocked in their
boats after German bombs had sunk
tbeir ship. III signal him to come
closer The taxi" was the British
nstrol boat Salvatore, which rescued
Ensor and twenty-six of his crew, COM
ing upon them eleven miles southeast
Of Bishops Rock Light.
Obeys U-Boat's Orders
The Housatonic was bound from
Galveston to Liverpool with cargo
Of grain. Captain Ensor stated. Every
thing went well until the afternoon OF
February 8, when a large submarine
move into view and signalled the
Housatonic TO stop.
II was on the bridge" said Captain
Ensor. "aud ordered the Housatonlc
full speed astern, in compliance with
the submarines demands. A few mo-
ments later a small boat put off from
the side of the submarine and brought
one officer and three seamen, who
climbed aboard. 49,
@He ordeEed me 20 bring the ships
PAPERS 20 the submarine for eXamlna-
ION. which / did. As / approached
the side / was greeted by tall young
navy lieutenant, who spoke excellent
English. By his slight figure and van
DYKE beard / recognized him imme-
diatsly as Lieutenant Hans Rose, whose
picture | had frequently seen IN the
pspers. after the U-53 made her sem
sstional entry into Newport last sum-
mer.
Given Hour to Get Of
He babe me come aboard. and, after
he examined my papers. which showed
that nv cargo consisted chiefly OF
wheat for the Allies, he said: 1 am
afraid tn have 20 sink you. have
no other choice in the matter, since
you carry contraband.' He gave me an
hour TO return 10 the Housatonic and
gather my effects.
L returned 20 the Housatonic and
ordered the crew 70 take TO the boats
after they had gathered their belong
ings. We left well inside the time
limit accorded us By Lieutenant Rose,
and a few moments later two Of the
crew. Who had planted bombs in her
engine room. also left. Two heavy
explosions followed, and the Housa-
tonic sank. with the American flag still
dying al her tafrail.
~The submarine took our three boats
IN TOW, after first giving US several
life preservers marked J-53. She towed
us for nearly an hour, when a British
patrol boat put in an appearance.
Stirs Up the Driver
The submarine slowed down, and
Lieutenant Rose called: Here comes
your taxi, captain. III leave you now;
bit just 20 make sure the driver sees
fare In the ofing, III stir him up q
BIT
Accordingly the submarine fred q
shot from his bow gun. and a. the
sound Of the firing the patrol boat
salvatore headed in our direction and
sped toward us. Before ne had APP
preached more than two miles the U-53
had submerged out Of sight, Lieutenant
Rose waving a final goodby just before
the hatch on the coming tower was
closed. Give my regards TO America!
vas his final parting. The Salvatore
picked us up and took US 20 the nearest
British port"