New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-10-06
DESTROYER SINKS
GERMAN CRAFT
U-Boat Destroyed by Guns Of
American Ship in English Waters

Washington. Oct. 6.-Destruction Of
an enemy submarine by an American
torpedo boat destroyer in European
waters has been reported to the navy
department. Details of the fight in
which the submersible was destroyed
by depth bombs, were announced to-
day. The name of the destroyer and
the time and place of the engagement
are withheld in the navy departments
announcement.
Announcement was made in the fol-
lowing statement:
The secretary of the navy author
ICES the publication of this account of
an engagement between an American
destroyer and an enemy submarine:
This Is one of a number of en-
counters of moro or less similar ma
ture, the details of which have been
made public in this manner as soon as
possible.
GA feature Of interest attached to
this engagement, because it was the
occasion for a letter of appreciation
from the British admiralty which ex-
pressed admiration for the efficient
and seaman like conduct of the Off
GERS and crew Of the American de-
stroyer.)
For military reasons the name of
the destroyer and the date and loca-
ton of the action are withheld.
THE following account of the en-
gagement was prepared from the COM
plete report received by the navy de-
partment:
THE American destroyer first sight
ed the submarine in the early morning
of a clear day. The sea was entirely
calm, with hardly a ripple of foam.
The submarine was running sub
merged with only her periscope show
ing. large number of merchant
ships were in sight. The U-boat was
less than a mile off the port beam of
the destroyer and following a parallel
course in an opposite direction when
the periscope was discovered. 1t was
throwing up a column of water sew
eral feet in height, so like a nearly
spent torpedo that the officer Of the
deck thought for moment that it
was.
1.-THE next instant the destroyer
changed course sharply to the left and
Z headed for the Uboat at full speed.
At the same time the forward guns
opened fire on the periscope.
The commanding officer ordered a
course steered that would bring the
destroyer across the wake of the u
boat a little to the rear of the peri
scope.
"As the destroyer dashed across the
line of bubbles a depth charge was
dropped and a column of clear water
shot thirty feet into the air The de-
stroyer turned to the right swiftly
circling and her starboard guns
opened on the periscope as she came
around to cross the U-boat's wake
,gain. Again column Of clear wa
err showed that the depth charge had
lot reached it's mark.
"Another quick turn to the right
brought the starboard guns to bear
bit this time the destroyer turned sc
. sharply that she was able to come
down for the third attack
The third depth charge brought up
a column of clear water, and the de-
stryer wheeled once more, this time
to he left and all the port guns
opened up, but without visible re-
suit.
"1he last time the destroyer came
dow to the attack exactly in the wake
of tie U-boat and ceased firing. AS
she reared the end of the line of bub-
bles, the fourth depth charge was lei
go ard there followed widespread
boilin. ef the surface of the sea, large
bubbls and at last heavy film OF
oil.
1.-THE destroyer spent sometime look
ing for further traces of the U-boat
but nore was found. She then pro-
ceeded II her course. The engage
ment laad % minutes