Douglas Island news., 1918-02-01
LUCKENBACH
 MET U-BOAT
Details Given by Navy Department of One of First Engagements Between Americans and German Craft-Latter Fires 225 Rounds and Scores Hits

A detailed account of Che four hour battle with the German sub marine which attacked Che Amcri- can steamer J. l.. Luckenboch on Octobcr l9. is given in the report
 made to Che Navy Department by ! Inc commander of the armed guard
 on Chat vessel. which, though hlt |scycral times by shells, reached port
 safely
 7:2O a. m. thc after lookout on |hc Lurkcnbacb reported a steamer |abcam. The commander of the arm cd guard sighted her himself about
 one point forward of the port beam. Upon looking ut Che steamer. which appeared very suspicious. through | Che glasses, a sail appeared on her. Both guns were trained on the |slcamcr. The armed guard com maudcr thcn went aloft to obtain Q better view. When ho was half way |up Che supposed steamer turned out
 Co bc a submarine and opened fire.
 First Shots Fall Short
 The Luckcub ach immediately opened fro with both guns. The first two or three shots fired by tho sub marine fcu about 2.OOO yards short. She was firing ot long range. The Lucbcubach's shots also fcll short. As Che submarine appeared Co be closing m, Che captain was told to .put thc stern of thc Luckenbach to her. which ho did. Distress signals were sent out by wireless.
 The submarine closed in Co about 2.OOO wards. Early m the battle one shell from thc submarine landed on thc deck forward on the port side !. land exploded in Che gun crows quarters starting a fire which par uoIIy destroyed thc quarters and burned thc effects of thc gun crows. ! |The umo shot burst Che fire main. .Thc fire main was blocked or and water finally got to thc fro. Steam was also turned on the flames. Shortly oftcr Che first shot landed another shot struck Che quarter masters room. without doing much damage.
 A shot landed near thc stern and ! cvuoIcd. putting thc after gun out . of commission
 Fully 225 Shots Fired by U-Boas "At Icast 225 rounds were fired 'bg tuo submarine. out of wni,h .hcrc wore ouyl nine clean hts, |" ! the commander reports. "Pioccs of shell were falling an around the doek. Two shots landed on thr port side forward. striking tho oilers
 room and putting a large hole in ' tre side, ono landed ou thc port side |at Che water line. hitting Che fresh water tank and destroying most of Che frcrb-watcr supply. Another landed n thc petty officers mess room and exploded. putting Che ash hoist out of commission and burst ! mg Che steam pipe, also wounding ! two men. one mess boy, and one fire man One shot passed through the . weather screen on the bridge and landed i'm the cargo, exploding, but mot starting fire. Pieces of shell .hIt " Louthcr one of the armed . guard. in three places. Ono of tho ships crew, who was carrying am muuItou forward, was hit. An other shell exploded in Che engine room. wouudiug tho first and third engineers and putting thc engine out or commission. Bell, one of the guns crew, was going up the for.
 ward ladder carrying ammunition
 when the shell that landed in thC ! Quartcrmastor's room exploded, tho
 fumes fro mtho shell blinding him
 for about two hours"
 Never Surrender wFlashed by Radi,
 Tho distress calls sent out haJ
 been answered by a United States
 destroyer at S:1O. which was asked how quickly it could arrive at th,
 scene. "Two hours" was the TO. ply Tho captain of the Luckon.
 bach said: "Too late. Look for
 boats" Don't surrender" came