Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1917-06-29
u. S. SHIP SINKS
U-BOAT IN FIGHT
Vivid Account Of New Victory
Of Naval GunnerS.
TORPEDO DID NOT EXPLODE

Shells From American S,eam1hip
Reach Mark and Submarine Fails
to Reaspear.
The captain of an American
steamship just arrived at an Atlantic
port, reported that he believed the
steamship had sunk U-boat on June
4, when two days out from LlVerp Oh.
Beyond this statement the captain
would give no further information.
A statement written by the wireless
man of the steamship said:
1--WE discharged cur cargo at Liver
pool and LETT fer our hcmewarl voyage
On June 13. we were running at
nights without lights. The gun5 were
cleared for action, but we hoCe1 we
would be as lucky going back as we
were going over.
"We saw one submarine on June A.
One British ship, hGr wireless ca was
T. L. O.-her name was no. listel in
the international radio stations of the
woHd-sent a signal of distress, which
we picked up. Sc reported she was
attacked by submarine.
"The British ship was exchanging
shots with the submarine for about
half hour. When they reported by
wireless the submarine had submerg
ed.
81 hewd 0 S from another British
vessel-the Manchester Port. She re
ported she was being attacked by
submarine. She was fighting at elise
range. After twenty minutes of lard
fighting the submarine ag~in subme1g
ed and the Manchester Port at 6.1S
o'clock P NJ: wirlessed she was o K
and not damaged.
1--WE could plainly see the shells
from these British vessels as they
dropped, but could not see the subma
rines with whom they were flgh ing.
"After the second unsuccessful at
tempt to sink the two ships we con
sidered we were apparently out OF
danger.
1--WE were on z;gzag course and
making full speed when the lockout
sighted a life boat. We steered to see
what was in it. It was empty.
about twenty minutes after PISS.
ing the empty lifeboat, one Of the gun
ners sighted a torpedo headed straignt
for us. He shouted to the bridge.
Here she comes. Torpedo port side
"The chief officer, who was on the
bridge, shouted to the quartermaster,
Hard starboard.' We swung off. The
torpedo had red head about sixteen
inches in diameter. She was about
ten feet long. The torpedo struck us
on the port side a glancing blow amid
ship right near the engine room.
"Our ship was empty and we all
thought she had exploded from the
terrific noise she made when she hit.
simultaneously the ships whistle
blew short and successive blasts,
which was the signal to abal don ship
and man The lifeboats.
"I sent out signal of distress,
which was picked up by the Manchcs'
ter Port.
81 was then ordered to my. position
III the starboard boat
"The captain who had remained Oh
the ship, found the. torpedo had failed
to explode. All hands were then or
dered back on snip. We were Lying
perfectly still fer at lcass an hour.
when the commander Of the sub.
marine saw our crew coming back
from the life boats AM climbing u~on
deck he immed ately give up his chase
for two ether British mac hant ships
and started for Us again. The subma.
rine was about 1000 yards eff our
starbeam.
"Sud2e-'y came the command, man
the guns
"The gun crew sc~amhled to the
deck. They ran fore an aft to thei1
respective positions. The chi-f gu7
ner gave them their ranges from thr
briige.
"When about 6no yards off on" star,
board quarter she'll from cur rcr.varc'
gln lit her and she submerged. Aga:n
she appeared and cur cfser-gul hit her
end blew away her Dcrigcore. Another
shct from cur fo-w2rl gun fe'l rigat
on top Of her. There was shower Of
black specks, which roe high in the
air, followed BY great commo ion,
bubbles Of wate- AMI a light blue
smoke arising from the stern of the
U-bcat. where 4 second before had
been the eyes Of cur enemy.
"Our crew, waich was lined up
against the starboard r"il watching The
battle, gave hearty American cheer
when the submarine disappeared.
nineteen shots in all were fired,
which is the secretary OF the navy's
military salute"