davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
All Do Hard
Physical Work

Taken altogether, one can live COM
fortably underseas, although there is
certain discomfort from the cvcr-in-
crcasing warmth produced by the work
ing of the electrical machinery and
from the condensation created by the
high temperature on the surface Of
the boat plunged in cold water, which
is more noticeable in winter and in
colder regions.
1t is interesting to observe that the
occupations Of the crew determine the
atmos pheric conditions. The quantity
of air required by human body de-
Ponds entirely OH its activity. A man
working hard absoIbs in an hour
eightyfvc litres Of air. Besides the
commander, who is vigorously engaged
IN the turret-as will be hereafter de-
scribed-thc men employed on the lat
eral and depth steering and those ham
ding the torpedo tubes are doing hard
physical work. The inactive men use
up far smaller quantity Of air, and
it is ascertaned that man asleep re-
quires hourly only fifteen litrcs of air.
we'll drilled crew, off duty, are there
fore expected to sleep at once, undis-
turbed by the noise around them, and
their efficiency is all the greater when
the time comes to relieve their weary
| comrades. We had a wireless operator
on board, whose duties ceased after
submersion, and he had so we'll per-
fected the art OF sleeping that he never
cost us more than fifteen litres of air
hourly underseas.
The length Of time that a U-boat can
remain under water depends, as we
stated above, on the atmospheric con-
ditions at the moment of punging and
on the amount of oxygen and chemi-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
Greatest Secrecy
Surrounded VI

AZ first q mystery still yelled our
knowledge concerning our submarines
We were told that the dear, good, old
U-bnat No. l had splendidly stood
every test, and shortly after, in Oc-
tobcr, 100, I went on board, and had
tho honor later to command her for
two years. But during this period, for
several years., the greatest secrecy sur
rounded this new weapon of our navy;
strictcst orders were given to admit no
ono on board, not even high officers;
only adnirals were allowed to pene-
trate Within and on every matter con-
corning our U-boats we had to main
tain absolute silence Now, however,
that our usefulness has been so fully
justified, the veil of discretion can be
somewhat lifted, and I can describe
within certain limits the life and ac-
Nyities on board submarine.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
Ordered on Board
A Submarine

For the first time in tho autumn Of
190-- some of US were surprised at the
announcements "Ordered on board a
submarine" This order naturally met
with an immediate response, but it
brought new outlook on the possihili-
ties OF our career, for we had not vet
been trained to this branch Of tho SER
vice, which our Almighty War Lord
had only recently added to tho i'm
perial navy. The question was,
Should we be able to perform this
new duty?
It is well known that the French
were the first to complete type of
submarine navigable underscas, and
the English unwllingly, but with sly
anticipation of coming events, copied
this type Of boat.
To all outward appearance We kept
aloof from following the example of
our neighbors, and our chiefs of the
Admiralty were beset with expostula-
lions on tho subject. but they were
silently biding their time while OUT en-
emies of to-day were Dragging about
their successful experiments with their
newly constructed submarines. To
tho dismay and establishment Of our
opponents, it was only when the right
hour had struck that our navy re-
vealed that it had similar weapons at
it's command. 1t therefore prepared
for them some disagrceabls surprises,
and set its special seal from the very
beginning on the maritime warfare.
I remember talk I had with an old
army officer a few years ago, when
had just received my appointment to a
submarine. We were speaking Of T.
boats and aeroplanes, and he cx-
claimed, Zach! My dear Forstner, give
it up! The bottom of the ocean is fol
fishes and the sky is for birds"
What would have happened to Us il
this war had we not so proudly ex
cclled above the earth and beneath The
sea?
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
Living Conditions
Under Water

a submarine conceals within it's
small compass the most concentrated
technical disposition known in the art
OF mechanical construction, especially
so in the spaces reserved for the steer
ing gear of the boat and for the manip-
ujation of its weapons.
The life on board becomes such a
matter of habit that we can peacefully
sleep at great depths under the sea,
while the noise is distinctly heard Of
the propelers OF the enemy's ships
hunting for US overhead, for water is
an excellent sound conductor and con-
veys from long distance the approach
OF a steamer. We are often asked,
How can you breathe under water 2"
The health Of our crew is the best
proof that this is fully possible. We
possessed as fellow passengers n dozen
guinea pigs, the gift Of kindly and
anxious friend, who had been told these
little creatures were very sensitive to
the Ill effects Of vitiated atmosphere.
They fourshed in our midst and
proved amusing compaKons.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13

TNEEY year about the first of Oc-
r. tober, at the time Of the great
A@ army man@uvres, new appoint
mcnts are also made in the navy; but,
unlike our army brothers, who from
beginning to end remain permanently
either in the artillery, cavalry or in
fentry, We officers OF the navy arc
shifted from cruiser to torpedo boat,
from the ship Of the line to the hated
Office desk on land at the Admiralty, in
order to fit Us to serve our Almighty
War Lord in every capacity and to the
best advantage. The commander Of a
torpedo boat must be familiar with the
service on board a drcadnought or on
any other large ship, for only those
who are intimately acquainted with
tho kind Of ship they are going to at
tack possess sufficient skin to de-
stroy it.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
Extending the Zone
Around Great Britain

We retaliated on February 4, 1915
by prescribing certain danger zone
which extended around Great Britain
and Ireland ana along the north coas,
of France. BY this interdict public
opinion was enlightened as to the part
our U-boats were going to perform in
this new commercial warfare, a part,
must admit, that few people had antici-
pated before the commencement Of hos
tilities. OF course, NV demands were
to be made upon US, we should have
to make long undersea trips and re-
main for some time in the cnemy's
waters. after which We should have 20
return unperceived. The English called
it German bluff, but their tone soon
changed after we had made our first
raid in the heart OF the Irish Channel,
and few of them now ventLred abroad
except when forced by the most i'm
perative obligations.
At the end OF October. 1914. the first
English steamer, the Glitra, was sunk
of the Norwegian coast. it carried
cargo of sewing machines, whishey and
steel from Leith. The captain was wise
enough to stop at the first signal Of
the commander of the U-boat and he
thereby saved the lives Of his crew,
who escaped with their belongings
after the steamer was peacefully sunk
If others later had likewise follows
his example, innocent passengers ana
crews would not have been drowned
And. after all. people are fond Of Their
own lives, but these English captains
were following the orders Of their GOV
eminent 10 save their ships through
fight. The English authorities even
went so far as to inaugurate a sharp
shooting system at sea by offering
reward to any captain who rammed or
destroyed a German submarine, a.
though the latter could only obey this
command at the risk OF their lives,
but what cared the rulers in England
for the existence of men belonging TO
the lower classes of the nation9 They
offered tempting rewards fer these ex,
PLOTS in the shape of GOLD watches anf
bribed the captains Of the merchant
marine with the promise Of being
raised to the rank of officers in the
reserve. Therefore, the British news
papers were filled with the account o,
! the destruction of German Uboats ahc
! of the generous rewards given 1or
these fine deeds 1t WAS jolly for US
on our return to port 20 read the reg.
ord of our own doom, and scarceiy
would there be a submarine afioat
these records had been true.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13

be accurately weighed and measured
before it descends into the watery
depths of the ocean. The briny water
of the North Sea weighs far more than
the less salty water Of the Baltic Sea,
whose western basin is composed OF
practically fresh water. A boat floats
higher in the heavily sailed watcrs Of
the North Sea and lies deeper and
plunges further down in The waters Of
the Baltic. The same U-boat, there
fore. must take into it's tanks greater
quantity Of water ballast in the North
Sea, to be properly weighted, than
when diving into fresher waters. Even
with small submarines of 400 tons
displacement there is the enormous
difference of ten tons between 1O25
specific weight in the intake of North
Sea water and 1000 specific weight
of fresh water. On the other hand, il
TOO much water is admitted into the
tanks, the submarine may plunge with
great velocity deeper and deeper be-
Jond its appointed depth, and in such
case it might even happen that the
hull of the boat could not withstand
the overpowcring pressure and would
be crushed beneath the mass Of water
And yet again, if too small a guam
tity OF water ballast is admitted into
the tanks, the boat may not sink suf-
iiciently below the surface, and thus
we could not obtain an invisible attack
which is positively necessary for our
success
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13

This picture, by himself of the kind Of Ao 9oes
sinking ships hon numbering and babes and she'll
boats 1t america chance nppse her foes II
uritem By Feerr Forsner commander Of the first German
subar;nch soeha careless product of odd Of leisure
The translation has been abridged By the omission Of % Incidents
but shoes visdy the strange mature of senme"oy and fcocy
officer concerned for the mc Of his kindly capirc d,
courageous, loyal, endarina--and I-bont enthusiast
To1aps insnmcm shoes this for his cork
ong the Of r Tag and gorying ons of coming
triumphS
4, Commits
copyright by
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
Lying in Wait
For a Victim

Quietly and silently the boat ad-
audible sounds are the purring of the
electric motors and the unavoidable
noise made by the manipulation of the
vertical and horizontal rudders Alert
and specchlcss, every man on board
awaits a sign from the commander,
who is watching in the turret, but
some time time may elapse-now that
the periscopc is lowered and nearly
on the level Of the waters-beforc the
adversary becomes visible again The
ship may have changed her course and
have taken an opposite direction to the
one she was following at the moment
we submerged. In that case she would
be out Of reach and all our prepare
lions prove useless.
At various intervals the commander
presses an electric button and raises
and lowers the perscope as quickly
as possible, so as to take his own OBJ
sefvation without, if possible, being
observed himself, for he knows that
any injury to the periscope-hs most
priceless jewel-would, as it were. rem
der the boat blind and rob him of the
much coveted laurel leaves During
these short glimpses the commander
only perccves little sky and the
wide, round plate Of the reflected sea.
With It's dancing waves, while the ner-
vous tension of the expectant crew in
creases every minute
At last is heard joyous outcry
from the commander. 1.-THE fellows are
comng!" and after one quick glance
TO locate the enemy exactly, the peri
score is lowered. Now every heart
beats with happy anticipation and
every nerve quivcrs with excitement.
Tho captain quickly issues his orders
Tor the course to be steered and for
the necessary navigation. The Off
Ger in charge of the torpedoes receives
the command to clear the loaded tor
pedo for firing, while the captain
quietly calculates, first, the relative
position Of his boat to the enemy's
ship, according to the course she has
taken; second, at which point he must
aim the torpedo to take surest eff
feet, and-n the same way as in hunt
ing hare-ile withholds the Shot to
correspond to his victims gait
Many thoughts fly through his brain
Here among his companions the an
initiation of the enemy will cause
joyful enthusiasm, while among them
their downfall will cause overwhe]m.
ing sorrow. But without doubt thew
must vanish from the seas, and only
Il mar who has experienced these sem
sat'ons knows how many secondary
matters occur to him at such a time.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
How the Air
Is Purified

The ventilation system Of the entire
submarine is connected with certain
chemicals, through which the air cir
culates, whose property is to absorb
and retain the carbonic acid gas. Prep
arations of potassium are usually en-
ploycd for this purpose. Simultane-
ously, cylinders of oxygen, under fairly
high pressure, spray oxygen into the
ventilation system, which is released
in a measure proportionate to the num-
Der of the crew. There is a meter in
the distributing section Of the oxygen
tubes, which is get to act automatically
at certain ratio per man. The ordi-
nary atmosphere is bearable for a long
time, and this costly method Of cleans
ing the air is used only as last re-
sort; the moment at which it must be
employed is closely calculated to cor
respond not only with the atmos pheric
conditions at the time Of submersion,
but also to the cubic quantity of air
I apportioned to each man according to
his activities and according to the size
Of the boat.
1t is unnecessary to clear the air
artifcially during a short submerson,
but during prolonged ones it is advis-
able to begin doing so at an early hour
to prevent the carbonic acid gas from
gaining disproportionate percentage
as it becomes then more difficult ia
control, and it is obvious that it is i'm
possible TO dissipate the fumes Of cook
ing, the doors of the machine oil and
tho breaths OF the crew.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13

With lowered periscope he sees
sea, and like blind man the boat
feels its way through the green flood.
Every possible event becomes sub
ject of onjccture. VIII the fellow
continue on the same course? Has he
seen our perscope in the second it
was exposed and is he running away
from US? Or, OH the contrary, having
seen US, will he put on full steam and
try to run us down with fatal death
stroke from his PROV?
AZ such an instant OF high ner-
vous tension have caught myself Civ
ing superhuous orders to let myself
relax, and yet l knew that every man
was at his post, fully conscious that
his own safety, the safety of the whole
boat and the honor of the fatherland
were all at stake and dependent on his
individual effort. | knew, of course.
that each fine fellow down in the ma
chincry room or at the torpedo tubes
had done his very best, and that all his
thoughts were centred, like mine, in
keen expectancy on the firing Of our
first torpedo-the eel, as we call it,
guarded with so much love and care
which would speed along, accompanied
by our warmest wishes. We give nick
names to our torpedoes, mostly femi-
nine names. Side by side below lie
"Thc Fat Bertha" "Thc Yellow Mary"
and "The Shining Emma" and these
ladies expect to be treated, like all
ladies, with the tenderest care and
courtesy
Now comes the announcement from
the torpedo officer: "Thc torpedoes arc
cleared for firing" He stands with a
| firm hand, awaiting the signal from
his commander to permit the torpedo
to drive ahead against the hated but
unconscious adversary and to bore its
way with a loud report deep into the
great steel flank.
Once again the perscopc springs for
an instant to the surface, and then
glides back into the protecting body
OF the turret. The captain exclaims
1--WE are at them." and the news
spreads like wildfre through the crew
He gives a last rapid order to straight
Ell the course of the boat. The tor.
pedo officer announces, "Torpedc
ready" and tie captain, after ON
quick glance through the periscope as
It slides back into its sheath, ;mmcdi.
talu cloutr.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13

describe my own part in the beginnins
Of the war, but hope to be able to d.
so after we achieve victorious pesc,
Our dear cousins on the other side ~
the Channel must have been rather dis.
quieted by the loss Of so much shin.
ping at the hards of our boats or ~
our mines, and they mus. nave realized
that new method Of warfare had be-.
gun, for their feet no longer parad.d
in the North Sea or IN any of tn.
waters in the war zone. Their great
valuable ships were Withdrawn and tina
patrol Of their coasts was confined only
to smaller craft and to the mine-lay-
crs, in order that their people might
supposedly sleep in peace.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
Overjoyed When
Ship Is Sinking

Even without the prescribed an
nouncement from. the torpedo officer
that the torpedo had been set off, every
one knows that it is speeding ahead,
and for a few seconds we remain in
anxious suspense. until dull report
provokes throughout our boat loud
cheers fer Kaiser and for empire, and
by this report we know that "The Fat
Bertha" has reached unhindered he-
destination. Radiant with JOY, the
commander breathcs sigh of relief
and he does not check the young sailor
at the wheel who seeks to grasp his
hand and murmur his fervent congrat-
ulations. But congratulations must
be postponed until we ascertain that
our success is complete.
And once again the periscope runs
up toward the laughing daylight.
while the commander in happy but
earnest tones utters the reassurinp
words: The ship is sinking; further
torpedoes can be spared" He then
permits the gratiied torpedo officer
who stands by his side quick glance
through the periscope to verify the re-
suit Of his own efficiency. 1t is chiefly
owing to the care OF the personnel o.
the torpedo squad that the torpedoes
are maintained in such perfect con-
dition and that their aim is so cor.
rect, and to them is due in great part
the success Of our attack.
The commander and his officer ex-
change a knowing look, for they have
seen the enemy's ship heavily listing
to one side, where the water is rush
ing into the gaping wound, and soor
she must capsize. They see her crew
hastily lowering, the iifeboats-thei
only means Of tscape-and this is
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
Story Of First
U-Boat Ranming

l should like to tell short story u
connection with these assertions " y,
English prowess. One Of their sms ~
steamers had actually contrlved !"
misty weather to ram the turret OF on.
Of our submarines while it was IN Inc
act of oubmerging The English cap
tain was loudly praised in all the news.
papers and received the promised Ie
wards for having sunk, as he deciaIs,u'
German U-boat: he had distii'c,u,.'
felt, he said, the shock Of the con,.
sion. His statement was certainly ~ az
curate. for the submarine was a,,'
conscious of the shock. but 1t was
fortunately, followed with no eVh ~, ~,
suits. and our commander had Va. Il
joyful surprise shortly aftefwsi,t'
when he emerged, TO find the blaze u. ii
the foes propeller stuck IN the wa
of the turret, whose excellent matei,s'
had preserved it from serious ln)g.s'
We happily hope that the German .r',
pire will never run so short or pryat.
that it will De obliged to appropI,,s,ss,,
for the melting pot this fine propen..
blade, which is one of the many in n'h.
esting trophies preserved in our ''''
marine Museum.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
1<1HD The Of Submarine Commander 1occtner
1A<444411nl BOOK NEVER INTENDED FOR AMERICAN EYES

sufficient proof Of our victory. We can
depart now in all security. Conccalng
our presence, we plunge and vanish be-
meath the waters. Having reached a
certain distance, we stop to make sure
that our victim lies at the bottom of
the ocean. We behold the waves play
ing gently and smoothly as before over
the cold, watery grave Of the once
proud ship, and we hasten away from
the scene Of Off triumph.
There is no need Of our going to the
help of the cnemy's crew struggling
in the sea, for already their own tor
pcdo boats are hurrying to the succor
of their comrades, and for us there is
further work to be done.
Imagine the enthusiasm our dear
fallen comrade, Weddingen, and his
crew must have felt as the loud re-
port of their last torpedo announced
The destruction Of their third English
armed cruiser!
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13

Nert aceek Lieutenant ForSt-
ner roices his rejoicing IN
the actual beginning Of vdr-
fare on undrmed snaps.
glories IN his first "success
and FULLY rereals has dttttude
toacard detenceless mariners
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
Lauding the Almighty
War Lord

addressed my crew in a short speech
and told them we could best serve our
Almighty War Lord in bringing this
new weapon of attack confided to our
care TO the highest state of efficiency.
and my words were greeted with loud
cheers
There was much work to be done in
putting the finishing touches to our
submarine, which had only just come
off the ways The auxiliary machines
had to be tested and certain inner ar
engagements made, but, thanks to the
untring zeal of the crew and to the
eager help we received from the i'm
perlal navy yard, our task was soon ac-
complished. After a few short trial
trips and firing tests I was able to de-
clare our boat ready for sea and for
war, and after everything had been
formally surveyed by the inspector we
left our home port before the middle
Of August
Departing at high speed. we babe
farewell to the big ships still at their
moorings. and we soon Joined our fell
low submarines who had already in the
irst fortnight of war, according to an
announcement of the Admiralty staff
made a dash as far as The English
coast. And here is the proud record
of what they further accomplished: At
the beginning of September, 1914, the
English cruiser Pathfinder was torpe-
doed by Lieutenant-Captain Hersing.
VINO later sunk the two ships of the
Inc Triumph and Majestic in the
Dardanelles and was rewarded with on,
highest order, Pour lie Merite.
This initial success proclaimed our
submarines to be our greatest weapon
OF offence and their Importance became
OF Worldwide renown, for we claim
the honor of having fred the first sue
cesstul torpedo shot from a submarine.
1t opened a new era in maritime war
fare and was the answer to many uues-
tons which had puzzled the men of our
profession the whole world over. Abov.
All, we had proved that German U-boat
after long and difficult voyage, could
reach the enemy's coast and, after pene-
trating their line OF defence, was able
to send one of their ships to the bot
! tom of the sea with one well-aimed
! torpedo shot. The age of the subma-
rine had truly begun.
Other victories followed in prompt
succession. Weddingen's wonderful
prowess off the Hoek Of Holland on
September %, 1914, will never be for
gotten. In the space of an hour he
sunk the three English armored cruis-
ers Greasy, Hague and Aboukir, ana
shortly afterward dispatched their com.
rade, the Hawke, to keep them com
pany at the bottom of the North Sea.
Let me add to this list the Enrlish
cruiser Hermes. near Dover; the Niger
off the Downs Of the English coast: tn,
Russian cruiser Pallada, in the Baltic
and great number of other Enrlisr
torpedo boats, torpedo boat dessrovers
as we'll as auxiliary cruisers and trans.
ports. All this was achieved bcfor.
the end OF 1914: Unfortunately, | an
not at liberty, for obvious reasons, t.