Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1917-07-05
u. S. SOLDIERS LAND
SAFELY IN FRANCE
Fleet of German U-BOats meet U. s.
Ships in Ocean But are Whip
ped--.TwO SUBS are
Sunk

Sunk
American destroyers. conveying
transports with troops to France,
fought off two submarine attacks.
The first news of the attack was given
out in Washington Tuesday by the
committee on public information with
formal announcement of the safe ar
rival of the last of the transports
with their convoy.
At least one submarine was sunk.
Both of the attacks were made in
force, showing that the Germans had
information of the coming of the
transports and planned to get them.
This announcement was issued:
THE navy department at o'clock
this afternoon received word of the
safe arrival at a French port of the
first contingent of General Pershing's
expeditionary force. At the time the
information was released, announce
ment was also made that the trans
ports were twice attacked by sub
marines on the way across.
Not a Life Was Lost
mo Ship was hit, not an American
life was lost, and while the navy
dispatches report the sinking of only
one submarine, there is reason to be-
lieve that others were destroyed in
the first night attack"
Secretary Daniels made this state
ment: ts
at is with the Joy of great relief
that l announce to the people of the
United States the safe arrival in
France of every fighting man and
every fighting ship.
Now, that the last vessel has
reached port it is safe to disclose
the dangers that were encountered,
and to tell the complete story of the
peril and courage.
1.-THE transports bearing our troops
were twice attacked by German sub
marines on the way across. On both
occasions the U-boats were 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
expedition was divided into contin-
gents, each contingent including
troop ships and naval escort design
ed, to keep off such German raiders
as might be met.
An ocean rendezvous had also been
arranged with the American destroy
ers now operating in European wat
ers in order. that the passage Of the
danger zone might be, attended by
every possible protection.
Subs Come to Meet Them
THE first attack took place on the
night Of June % at 1890 O'Clock.
What gives 1t peculiar and disturb
ing significance Is that our ships were
set upon at a point well this side of
the rendezvous, and in that part o.
the Atlantic presumably free from
submarines.
1.-THE attack was made in force, al
though the night made impossible
any exact count o. the number Of u
boats gathered for what they deemed
slaughter.
1.-THE high seas convoy, circling
with their searchlights, answered
with heavy gun fire. and its accuracy
stands proved by the fact that the
torpedo discharge became increasing
ly scattered and inaccurate. 1t is no,
known how many torpedoes were
launched, but five were counted as
they sped by bow and stern.
"A second attack was launched a
few days later against another con-
tingent. The point of assault was
beyond the rendezvous and our de-
stroyers were sailing as a screen be-
tween the transports and all harm.
The results of the battle were in IA
vor Of American gunnery.
Use Grenades ON Them
mot alone did the destroyers hold
the U-boats at safe distance, but
their speed also resulted in the sink
ing of one submarine at least. Gren-
AIDES were used in firing. a depth
charge explosive timed to 60 off at a
certain distance under water. In one
instance oil and wreckage covered the
surface Of the sea after a shot from
destroyer at periscope, and the
reports make claim of sinking.
Protected by onr high seas con-
voy. by our destroyers, and by French
war vessels, the contingent proceed
ed and Joined the others in French
port.
The whole nation will rejoice that
so great a peril is passed for the van
guard o3men who will fight our bat
ties inSSFrance. No more thrilling
FourthNaf July celebration could have
been arranged than this glcd news
that lifts the shadow of dread from