The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-04-10
]. s. SUBMARINES
0P POSE HUNNISH
MENACE \ ! J ON SEAS
American Flyer and Destreyers
Also Aid Allied Naval
Forces
CROSS IN TEETH OF STORM
Long Silence Regarding United
States Navy Broken by Dan
icls in Speech
CROSS IN TEETH OF STORM

Washington, D. c., April9 In the
face of bitter winter gales, American
submarines, primarily designed for op-
erations 4h the home coasts, have
crossed the Atlantic to engage in the
common fight agains German U.boats
They are now aiding allied naval fore
es as are American destroyers and
American naval airmen, and they
have been in the war zone for some
months
Secretary Daniels revealed the fact
that the submarines had gone over
there in his address at Cleveland last
Saturday at liberty loan celebra.
ton, but gave no details. 1t is now
possible, however, to tell for the first
time of the midwinter passage of the
boats across the seas ilA the face Of
the most severe weather known in
years.
Secrecy Maintained
The first submarine to leave got
under way in early winter. Arrange
ments for the trip were made without
hint appearing in the papers and
in fact, until Secretary Daniels spoke,
no word of the participation OF the
underwater boats in the war against
Germany had been published.
The navy had some experience with
long distance work with submarines
on which to draw. Boats have been
sent to the Philippines, to Hawaii and
to Panama, but always in mild season
of the year, and with plenty of time
for precautionary steps.
Cross in Winter
This time, however, they were to
60 in winter and terrible winter
at that, with the Atlantic in it's ugliest
mood. The steps taken to get them
across cannot be disclosed; but the
fact that the department has no dis
aster to record is pointed to as proof
of their suffiicency.
" Officers and men Of the submarines
faced hard days as they put out
Cramped in narrow quarters and with
storms in prospect, they steered to
sea with complete confidence in them
selves and their boats. A lacOnic re-
port of uneventful voyages bore out
that confidence.
.-',,' y. PIow Thru Storm.
In mid December others got start
ed. While it was fair on sailing day,
ahead of the submarines, 100 mile
gale was brewing. Into it they plowed,
rolling and tum bling. Details Of the
commanders reports have not been
made public, but among the crews I'M
doubtedly were men who recalled the
first employment Of the submarines at
maneuvres when seasickness all but
put the flotilla out of commission.
But there was no faltering. The
boats were going to the front in real
warfare this time. Even when tow
lines parted in some cases, unknown
to the tugs and accompanying craft,
the submarines battled forward alone.
A majority of them reached their des::
tination under their own power, ready
. for duty.
s< Driven From Courses
Some of the boats were driven far
from their courses. They showed up
at different ports but promptly put to
sea again and reached their station.
One boat was the hard luck yes
sci of the lot. Separated from the flo
tilla in the first storm and its COM
passes out of order, it turned home
ward, onl yto strike two more gals
in quick succession. However, it made
port successfully and unchanged.
With new fuel and supplies aboard
and with man or two worn out by
the long struggle with the elements re-
placed, in few days the boat put to
sea again. It went through that time
despite the fourth gale it encounter
Little has been said of the work of
the British and French submarines in
the U-boat hunt. They are ploying a
definite part, however, and lurking
close to enemy bases. There have
been encounters between submarines,
reports of which read like fiction. The
service has been described as trying
one for which men of courage and
daring are needed 1t is in that work,
presumably that the American sub
noarinos arc enpa gad -.