Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-01-22

Nv hairy fists strong liquors magnify the
tales and one concludes that the kais-
ers undersea feet must be wiped out by
now The navys records are less fancifuI strictly
adhering to the motto of the man from Missouri
here is the account of action fought by a
cargo steamer which leaves no room for douht
mat one very busy U-boat was suddenly removed
from the active list of the imperial German navy
l. 10 ADVISABLE to omit the name of the chief boat
swans mate who commanded the gun crews He
was promoted to warrant rank as a reward for
the feat and is stationed ashore but no NAV
20 10 sea again in charge of another lot of eun
hes' ana II he should be taken prisoner the enemy
would not love him for what he did TO a MISSING
submarine In his official report he states:
weather hazy. Saw submarine firing on
topsall schooner, which shortly after blew m
Chdhged course to bring the submarine on our
starboard beam about 5000 wards distant and lost
slght OF her in haze Continued on this course for
TWO hours and then resumed our original course
a. -'oo p IN. the submarine appeared out of the
maze at 900 yards on our starboard beam She
Immediately opened fire. We changed course to
Orlng Ter three points on the starboard Guarter
and returned the fire.
"1he engagement lasted IS minutes, during
which time the submarine fired about 40 shots
scoring one hit under our port counter foot from
the water, and causing leak We fired 81 shots
The tWenty-sixth shot was seen to hit her lust
forward of the forward gum and cloud of flame
ana dark gray smoke burst from the hatches The
crew of the submarine left the gun and ran aft
Almost instantly the submarine sank bow first
the stern lifting high out of the water so that the
prOpellers could be seen revolving The steamer
was leaking and temporary repairs were made by
the crew."
When the ship reached her foreign port of des-
t1natiOn and reported the victory an official in
quiry was ordered by the French government A
naval lieutenant conducted it with great care and
ont mod no Riotof
The steamer fought with the American flag flying
he stated in his written opinion firing ~ shots in
half an hour The distance increased about 100
meters for each shot. The twenty-sxth shot ex-
ploded, producing thick black smoke which was
visible TO all on shipboard. Such an explosion
must have been produced in the submarine itself
He said, in summing up the evidence:
THE result of the inquiry is that the fight has
been very well conducted and that the men have
shown very fine spirit, doing honor to the Amer
lean navy. The conclusion may be drawn that the
submarine was hit and probably sunk
This was frst-class shooting, the submarine
steadily drawing away until when struck she was
5000 yards, and more, three land miles from
the steamer. Binoculars and telescope sights en-
abled the gunners to distinguish her with clear
ness and to note the effects of the shell which
ended her wretched career. 1t was her command
ers intention to move beyond range and continue
the action the chance that he had the bigger
guns but he mlScalculated, and paid the price.
1t seemed a cruel slant of fortune that this
American steamer which brilliantly bagged a
submarine, should have accidentally burned at sea
on her next voyage There time to stretch
hose or muster the crew. Abaze in an instant,
she was one vast furnace while the men raced for
the boats with death at their heels. All hands got
away, including the navy gunners, and their cruise
in open boats made without severe suffering
1t was all in the days work.
Very similar to this successful encounter
the adventure of the steamer Silver She'll In this
instance also the French ministry OF marine added
it's opinion that the submarine had probably been
hit and sunk. The chief gunner promotion
shortly after this statement issued by Secre-
tary Daniels:
"Wliam ]. Clark of New York. chief turret cap
tain and commander of the naval gun crew of the
Silver Shell, is deserving of promotion, which we
are now considering. All the other members of the
crew as well, and what they have done, deserve
great credit and distinction The chief turret cap
tain is very capable He is an enlisted man
who has seen nearly II years of service in the
navy and has won successive promotions by proven
capacity. For his work he deserves the very best
that can be done for him..
Here was man fit and ready for his job, and
he knew how TO put his own spirit and experience
into the team play of his gunners. An American
naval officer of high rank detailed special duty
at a French post conducted an inquiry and found
pleasure in writing TO Washington that 1.-The mas
ter of the Silver Shell was particularly enthusiastic
over the splendid work of the turret captain and
the entire naval gun crew. he also states that his
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