Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-09-11
AMERICAN SHIP
SINKS HUN SUB
IN 29 MINUTES
Gun Fire From Frank H. Buck
Sends U-Boat Down Off
Atlantic Coast
BY Associated Press

| Washington, Sept. 11.-Destruc-
ton of an enemy submarine Septem-
ber off the Atlantic coast by gas
fire from the American steamer
Frank H. Buck was reported to the
Navy Department yesterday by the
master of the steamer. He said two
shots were observed to hit the sub
mersible, which sank after a ter
rife explosion"
| The captains narrative, as sum-
married. in tho report to the depart
ment, follows:
"On September 8, at SIS a. M, an
enemy submarine was sighted on the
starboard beam at 1,400 yards. The
submarine opened fire with two SIX
inch guns. We answered fire with
forward guns. Sc saw the shot fall
about 400 yards short and imme-
diately swung stern forward to sub
marine, using after guns.
Shrapnel Falls on Deck
Our shots were very close to the
submarine and the submarine shrap-
mel were bursting very near to Ns,
some of the pieces falling upon our
deck amidships. We changed the
course frequently, which seemed to
upset the submarines aim and range.
AS soon as the submarine saw our
range was equal to hers. she hauled
away from us. Up to that time she
had been closing in on us.
Before the submarine could get
out OF range, cur twenty eighth shot
from the after gun apparently hit her
stern. The twenty-ninth shot hit
her just forward of the coming tow
and 1indar
The bow Immediately shot up into
the air very suddenly, then settled
and went down out of sight, the stern
making half turn toward us and
then it disappeared.
Sinks Almost Instantly
Upon shots striking the subn:a-
rine we saw very clearly a terrific ex-
plosion and black smoke, which en-
veloped the submarine. I am positive
that we destroyed her as she sank
almost instantly after the shot struck
her.
The engagement lasted 20 minu-
tes. Some of the fragments of The
submarine fell on our decks and were
picked up by the quartermaster and
chief gunners' mate.
The submarine was about 500
feet long, of the early type of Ger
man submarines with high bow, and
had two six-inch guns close to the
coming tower, fore and aft She
fired in salvos. using about sixty shots
altogether. She was camoufiaged
and flew no flags"
Commends Gunner's Mate
The Navy Department announced
that the captain of the Buck highly
commended the efficiency and con-
duct of Chief Gunner's Mate Joseph
SteffenS and the entire armed guard
under his command.
The account of the encounter as
given by the master Of the steamer
was received over the long distance
telephone from an Atlantic port at
which the Buck has arrived
The summary was made public
without comment and pending re-
ceipt of more detailed reports naval
officials reserved opinion as to wheth-
er the submarine actually had been
destroyed. These were expected
within a day or two.
The location of the fight was not
given in the departments announce
ment. The description of the sub
marine by the Bucks captain was
accepted as bearing out the previous
ly expressed belief of naval Officials
that the raiders operating on this
side of the Atlantic are converted
merchantmen of the Deutschland
type. These vessels were about 800
feet long and carried siX-inch guns.