The sun., 1918-09-12
Men Confident Submarine
Was Shattered by a
Depth Bomb.
VICTIM WAS TAGGING
Had Engine Trouble and
Was Behind Remainder i
Of the Convoy.
NOT ONE MAN INJURED
Fearless and Calm Conduct of
Newly Drafted Contingent
Is Commended.
NOT ONE MAN INJURED

German submarine burrowed its way
INTO the vitals Of a British transport
laden with $500 American soldiers 200
miles of the British coast last Friday
afternoon.
Not one American life was lost, and
the transport. unofiicially reported to
nave been the White Star liner Persic.
was raced to shore and beached.
Tho submarine left her victim pre-
sumably settling slowly and turned to
fee as the soldiers aboard the sup
posedly sinking craft leaped in safety
TO the decks OF a literal swarm OF de-
stroyers that hurried close alongside
the torpedoed transport. AS they
Jumped the soldiers had the satisfac-
ton Of seeing. 1t was reported by sew
cral the submarine actually lifted out
Of the water by the force Of depth
bombs discharged by q destroyer anG
then sink out Of sight. Among the ref
ugees from tho transport not the
slightest doubt is held that the subma-
rine and all aboard were lost.
Had Trouble with Engines.
The torpedoed vessel encountered
trouble with her engines just before
she was attacked and for these reasons
mad Jagged behind the heavy convoy
OF which she was a part. The trouble
with the engines had been overcome.
however. and the Persic was catching
up swiftly with her sister ships and
the protection of the war vessels ac-
companying them. when the submarine
poked its periscope out Of the water
and almost Immediately launched the
torpedo.
The soldiers aboard the Persic were
mostly from Chicago and Cleveland.
Many OF them were Of foreign extrac-
ton and their cool conduct and the
complete absence OF anything even
bordering on panic. caused Officers to
commend them highly. For the mos;
part. the soldiers were factory hands
before the draft lifted them into the
American fighting units. Not only were
no lives lost, but every man aboard
the transport escaped injury.
Move Like . Parade.
The torpedo hit the troopship Just
forward of the engine room. lmpe-
diately she began to sink by the DOW.
At the time many Of the soldiers aooaro
her were taking baths. Those VINO
weren't moved to their stations WIN
he same precision they wouid nave
maintained had they been on parade
ashore. The others made no effort 10
stop even for the purpose OF obtaining
clothes.
Instead they grabbed what garments
were Immediately available ana mace
for their appointed stations. water theii
was rushing into the ships hold at sucn
rate 1t was thought she would FOUNDER
quickly. To the surprise OF most OF the
soldiers, however, the foundering DID mol
occur.
Destroyers moved out OF the preced-
ing line quickly, and soon were pushing
close alongside. Without waiting tc
launch lifeboats or RATS the soldiers
aIothed and unclothed alike. clambered
down ropes to the decks of the destroy
ers, emptying the transport even before
the nrst depth charges from other ships
we're being hurled for the destruction oi
the fleeing U-boat.
smooth Sea Aids Rescue.
The work OF rescuing the soldiers was
made comparatively easy by reason oi
the fact that the sea was not rough. IT
the feet that formed the convoy were
large number OF American as well nj
British destroyers. and ships OF this
type from both navies had part In get
ting the torpedoed ships complement te
safety.
Although the rescued soldiers appar'
emily do not know how II was accom-
Nla Nl.Ny.T. n
found aboard the Persic to stop thu
.nrush OF water, and she rode neal
enough to shore to be beached. A pre-
!ininary examination led to the onicia
conclusion tina. she ultimately can b
Salved.
Most OF the rescued American fighting
men were hurried to an inland rest caml
In England. where they now are quar-
tered and being outntted anew prepara
tory 10 leaving for France. None Is an!
he worse for the experience. Instea'
they are finding a great deal of consola
Ion In their knowledge that the subma
'.ua suffered far worse fate at tn
'ands Of tho avenging destroyers. whic
dropped the depth bombs the soldiers ar
-eftain destroyed the C-boat
Immediately upon the arrival OF tn
.o.diers at the rest camp the America
Red Cross organization in London rushe
Arge amounts OF supplies to them.
The Persic 10 a vessel OF 12.o42 ton
Continued OF, Second Page.