South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-06-11
FAILS To RAM
DIVER, So GUNS
Do THE WORK
Convoy of Great Ship May Al
so Have Bagged a U-bOat.
Quick Shift in Strategy
Saves the Vessel.
BY FIRED }. WILSON.

lnterhdDOnal News tvfFlce
AN ATLANTIC PORT, June
fi.-Certain destruction of one
German submarine and the
probable sinking of two more by
allied deStroyerS eSCOTting her,
was reported by the captain of
big liner which reached this port
today. after voyage crowded
with events as thrilling as any
met with on the high seas, since
The Germans first began their
mid-Sea murder The U-boat
surely accounted for was sunk
by gun fire from the liner after
an attempt to ram the diver had
missed by a bare six feet.
One other submarine is believed
TO have been shattered by a de-
stroyer's depth charge before the
liners victory and the third within
two hours after.
Naval regulations forbid naming
The ship which sank the diver with
her guns. or the naming OF the de-
stroyer. but the elated captain OF
the liner. after persuasion. permit
ted me TO tell the thrilling story Of
his banner voyage
Heavy Convoy Arranged.
when our liner with several other
large steamers. left its home port
Tor America IL was evident that
trouble from U-boats was expected,
for as We steamed out of port SIX
grim. black destroyers, three or a
side. formed its lines 10 guard us
from attack. Not a passenger on the
big ship which carried me really felt
that the Germans would dare as
sault us and the bright afternoon
passed as usual on ship board, Jests
about the divers beins general
enough.
We got oslr FIRST taste OF sea perils
that evening Dinner was served at
O'Clock and all hands were al tho
table when terrihc boom rang out
and the ship shivered from stem 10
stern. With one impulse every pas
senger Jumped TO mis- feet but the
ships officer simply held up his
hand. SAYING quietly. Its a depth
romb. probably a destroyer ha, got
one" then We all sat down again.
Dropped a Depth Bomb.
Later We learned that the rear
most destroyer on the portside had
sirhted the periscope. hoisted her
danger signal. dashed forward at
lightning speed over the exact spot
where the submarine was seen and
cropped "a depJA bomb OF the eN-
tremely effective sort which has
nearly settled the submarine peril.
Oficers of the liner and sub
marine hunters who were on board
were all confident that one U-boat
would murder no more. Injunctions
Iv officers of the ship 60 sit close by
our life preserNers were needed aft
er the nrst brush Everyone on
board sensed his real danger and
many an eve was unclosed through
the long hours OF the night. But al
,yavs 10 port and starbosrd the grim
Sestroyers kept their watch over
their big convoy of liners while all
steadily zig-zaESed their way toward
the west.
Heavy Tog Closes In.
Along toward midnicht fog
closed IN thiCk and woolly. and then
only the occasional roar of the
steamers whistle and answering
rcars from the other liners. showed
that the vessels were stiu an their
appointed positions. But no sound
came from the destroycrs They
watched.
Win tho brcak Of day. the hiEh
foS was blown away and then it VAS
cen our liner vas alone plunSins
steadily slonS throush a sea on
v hich dense blanket OF mist still
iav 10 the height o. about i feet.
Hirh on the bridge our captain. his
mate and the lookout scanned the
water through the mist which roll
ed bout us and al just about $50
"a n.. action began when lookout
sang sut. "Some5hing ahead. Sir
Somethius ahead ~ir. tWo point.
an th- starboard 1uw
Discern Two icri~cupe>
Instantly every gun on the bridge
was turned on the "somethins" and