The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-01-18

tales, ana one concludes that the kaiS-
ers undersea fleet must be wiped out by
now The navy's records are less fanciful strictly
adherlng to the motto of the from Missouri
mere Is the account of an action fought by a
cargo steamer which leaves no room for doubt
that one very busy U-boat was suddenly removed
from the active list of the imperial German navy
1t Is advisable to omit the name of the chief boat
swans mate who commanded the gun crews He
was promoted to warrant rank as q reward for
the leat ana Is now stationed ashore, but he may
go to sea again In charge of another lot of gun
hers ana If he should be taken prisoner the enemy
would not love him for what he did to a missing
submarine In his official report he states:
weather hazy. Saw submarine firing a
topsaii schooner which shortly after blew up.
Changed course to bring the submarine on our
starboard beam about 5000 yards distant and lost
sight Of her in haze. Continued on this course for
TWO hours and then resumed our original course
AT 100 p. m. the submarine appeared out of the
haze at $500 yards starboard beam She
Immediately opened fire We changed course to
bring her three points the starboard quarter
and returned the fire.
'1he engagement lasted 30 minutes, during
which time the submarine fred about 40 shots
scoring one hit under port counter a foot from
the water, and causing leak. We fired q Shots
The twenty-sixth shot was seen to hit her Just
forward of the forward gun. and Il cloud of flame
ana DARK gray smoke burst from the matches. The
ere" OF the submarine left the gun and aft
Almost Instantly the submarine sank bow first
propellers could be seen revolving. The steamer
was leaking and temporary repairs were made by
the crew."
When the ship reached her foreign port of des
unation and reported the victory official In
Qury ordered by the French government A
naval lieutenant conducted ii with great care and
confirmed the verdict of the American gunners
The steamer fought with the American flag flying
he stated in his written opinion firing 81 shots in
half hour The distance increased about 100
toto for Et,.t ,..i,-tl
poded, producing thick black smoke. which was
visible to all shipboard Such an explosion
must have been produced In the submarine itself
He said, in summing up the evidence
1.-The result of the inquiry is that the fight has
been very well conducted and that the men have
shown a very fine spirit, doing honor to the Amer
lean navy. The conclusion may be drawn that the
submarine was hit and probably sunk"
This frst-class shooting the submarine
steadily drawing away until when struck she was
5000 yards, and more, three land miles from
the steamer. Binoculars and telescope sights
abled the gunners to distinguish her with clear
ness and the effects of the shell which
ended her wretched career. 1t was her command
ers intention move beyond range and continue
the action on the chance that he had the bigger
guns but he miscaculated, and paid the price.
1t seemed cruel slant of fortune that this
American steamer, which brilliantly bagged
submarine, should have accidentally burned at sea
on her next voyage. There time to stretch
she vast furnace while the men raced for
the boats with death their heels. All hands got
away, including the navy gunners, and their cruise
in open boats made without severe suffering.
1t was all in the days work.
Very similar to this successful encounter was
the adventure of the steamer Silver Shell. In this
instance also the French ministry of marine added
its opinion that the submarine had probably been
hit and sunk The chief gunner promotion
shortly after this statement was issued by Secre-
tary Daniels:
William ]. Clark of New York chief turret cap
tain and commander of the naval gun crew of the
Silver Shell, is deserving OF promotion, which we
are now considering. All the other members of the
crew. as well, and what they have done. deserve
great credit and distinction. The chief turret cap
tain is very capable man. He is an enlisted man
who has nearly IL years of service in the
navy and has successive promotions by proven
capacity For his work he deserves the very best
that can be done for him"
Here was a man fit and ready for his JOB, ana
he knew how to put his own spirit and experience
into the team play of his gunners. An American
naval officer high rank detailed on special duty
at a French post conducted an inquiry and found
pleasure in writing to Washington that THE mas
ter of the Silver Shell particularly enthusiastic
over the splendid work Of the turret captain ana
the entire naval gun he also states that MS