Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-06-08
U-BOAT DESTROYED
OFF DELAWARE COAST
Gunners on British Steamer Claim
to Have Ended PiratiCal G ruisc
Of Hun Sub"

Philadelphia, June 9.-The gener al
belief that hostile submarines had left
the vicinity of the Delaware Capcs wa 8
dispelled Yesterday when the Bri tish
steamship Appleby, outward bound Tor
Europe. returned after fight with
German submarine 40 miles OIL Cape
Henlopen, in which the submarine is
believed to have foundcred from the
Britisher's attack.
On Monday when the Applcby had
hardly got clear OF the land, submarine
appeared almost abeam and fired several
shots as warning for the Appleby to
stop.
The commander of the Appleby sig
nailed that there would be no stopping,
and in the meantime the gunners on the
Appleby were ready for action, rs the
submarine WAS within range, and the
firing on both sides began at once.
The first shot from the Appleby went
wild and the second fell short, but the
last three, according to the Appleby
eInners, were clean hits, and the sub
marine disappeared.
The gunners on the Appleby believe
that the last three shots were effective,
and at least put the undersca craft out
of commission, ending her career as a
commerce DESTROYER.
The Appleby sustained no damage and
returned to port for further orders.
Coal shippers were considerably alarmed
Yesterday. owing to the news that the
tug Waltham, from Fall River for Nor
folk, towing two barges had been sunk
by submarine 20 miles off the Delaware
Preakwater. The tug was owned by
the Staples Coal Co and the barges,
it is believed. were the property OF the
Potter Transportation Co.
The oil tank steamer Herbert L. Pratt,
which ran into submerged mine off the
Delaware CapeS, arrived At her wharf at
Point Breeze at noon yesterday. Although
the vessel had been submerged TO her
crow : nest when picked up, the OIL tank
compartments we're not damaged, and
part of the oil cargo was pumped INTO
lighters when the Pratt lay at anchor IN
the Delaware Bay, of Bombay Hook.
This put the vessel on an even keel and
she proceeded 10 Point Breeze with the
assistance OF the tugs Brilliant, Caspian
and Atlantic
The Pratt has big hole blown in her
plates in the port bow, several feet below
the water line, and as soon as the cargo
has been pumped out she will be put IN
dry dock and repaired.
According to the crew all credit IS due
Captain III. III. Bennett. master OF the
vessel for saving the tanker.
The men said that the captain had been
warned TO be on the lookout for sub
marines and a careful watch was beng
maintained, when suddenly without any
warning, there was a big explosion under
the tanker's bow and she commenced 10
settle in the water.
The crew took TO the lifeboats and
started away. while Captain Bennett and
several officers remained TO collect the
ship documents and Instruments As
the vessel did not sink at once Captain
Bennett decided that the vessel could
probably be beached and called the crew
back.
Steam was gotten up again, and rush
was made for the shoals five mics distant
The vessel hit the sand with her nose com
pletely submerged, where she stuck until
salvaged
The Merchants and Miners Line
steamship Cretan from Philadelphia,
which was supposed 70 have had an en-
counter with a submarine shortly after
leaving the Delaware Breakwater, arrived
at jacksonville Yesterday without a mis-
hap.
The Clvde Line steamship MOhican.
from Norfolk. where she left on Monday
night arrived safely at this port yester-
dav. She kept close TO the land When
about 10 miles of Cape Henlopen a sub
marine chaser came alongside 10 ascer-
tain II any hostile craft had been seen.
The chaser conveyed the Mohican into
the Delaware Bay and then left TO con-
tinue her cruise 10 the DOrthward to re-
sumo the search.
Because of the finding of live mines
throughout the region at the Delaware
Capes, strict watch is being kept on all
shipping entering the river No ships are
being permitted 10 leave except on pa IS
issued by the naval officials at the Capes.