Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1918-01-18

during the BATTLE"
This is precisely as it should be, bluejackets and
merchant standing together, fighting the
enemy intrepid American crew, and the
Stars and Stripes hOisted at the first shot by order
Of the skipper. Chief Gunner Clark had the honor
to report to the navy department:
las the submarine displayed flag and was
coming nearer, we fired shot. The submarine,
which was then about 1000 yards away, replied
Immediately with what seemed to me, on account
of the range. six-inch gun. Her first shot fell
amidships about 100 yards short. We changed
our course due west, increasing speed The sub
marine followed us, keeping up fire. The fight
lasted from o'clock until about 80 p. We
fired % shots. The submarine fired over 80, in
Guiding some shrapnel toward the end. which
ploded astern Of our ship too high to do any dam
age.
"Our last two shells to have hit the sub
marine in the forward part. few seconds later
her bow jumped up, and she went down, stern
upward at an angle Of about 45 degrees The sub
marine did not come up again, and believe it was
sunk then and there No damage done to
ship, and there casualties"
The steamer still within effective range of
the big guns of the submarine, which could have
had no other reason than sudden attack of acute
illness for vanishing in this abrupt manner. 1t
fairly conclusive that shell blew her part
ly out Of water, and then she went lunging and
laundering into the depths. The steamer did not
stop to search for traces of the disaster, but
sbly continued along on her course Tankers
filled with millions Of gallons of gasoline do not
linger in the
The American passenger liners, maintaining
their service almost regularly as in time of
peace, would naturally the gaAtlet much often
er than the same number of cargo boats. They
sail express schedule and spend little time
in port. 1t is secret that they fast and well
armed, able to whip submarine in a fight with
guns. The deadly torpedo is another matter, but
speed has SO far been a saving factor 1t is what
the gunners board call ''the sporty life" nor
can it be recommended to people with nervous sys-
TENS a rest6ul vocation. For example, one of
these liners, during the first six months of war,
made only one perfectly tame and routine voyage.
During all other trips across there were fights
with submarines or escapes from torpedoes.
Extracts from the navy departments reports Of
these steamers may be chosen almost at random
as interesting reading with thrill in it. These
are fair samples of what it means to make the
Atlantic voyage, which Is longer common
place. soothing ocean ferry"
1.-THE lookout in the lower crows nest, cox
swain Of the naval guard, picked up Oil slick
ahead, which veered off to port at right angles to
the ships course. Following the slick, which
about the width Of ship, he suddenly saw the
periscope of submarine appear at the end Of it,
about foot out of the water. He instantly
sung out, Periscope, and the next moment, TOR
pedo, for the submarine had been exposed scarcely
alore than second when she fired a torpedo. The
enemy was then about 900 yards from the ship
and three-fourths point forward Of the BEAM
1.-THE torpedo running straight, but appar-
emily having trouble in maintaining it's depth FOR
when about 200 yards off / streak, then at
q depth Of about five feet. It dved and passed
under the ship about 80 feet from the stern. Soon
after heading away from the submarine we picked
up an abandoned lifeboat two points Off the star
board bow. The submarine had apparently been
living near the life boat and seeing us approach
had headed off to assume position for attack on
our port side probably expecting us to pick up the
lifeboat and thus miss seeing him. Fortunately
however the oil slick sighted first
'sThe Old hands among the gunners paid no at
tention to the torpedo, which was coming right
for them but made every effort to get the guns on
the target which the submarines periscOpe.
What might be called close shave befell anoth-
or steamer on the return voyage.
"There were several other ships in the vicinity,
runs the report, Including two tankers and de-
stroyer and two or three tramps Suddenly peri
scope was sighted quarter of mile away, show
ing I'D plainly in the streak of moonlight on the
water The submarine seemed to be just coming
ND and had probably misjudged the speed of the
steamer, having seen her some time earlier Be
fore a torpedo could be fired or the guns manned,
the steamer was right top Of the submarine,
which submerged The chief officer threw the
helm hard over and went straight for him, hoping