Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-04-11
]. s. SUBMARINES
ALSO ON THE JOB
Crossed Atlantic in Mid.Winter
Are Now Located Off
German Bases

Washington. April 1O.-In the face of
bitter winter gales, American submarines
primarily designed for operations off the
home coasts, have crossed the Atlantic
to engage in the common fight against
German U-boats. They are now aiding
allied naval forces, as are American de-
stroyers 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 lover there" in
his address at Cleveland Saturday at a
Liberty Loan celebration, but gave no de-
tails. 1t is now possible, however, to tell
for the first time of the mid-winter pas
sage of the boats across the seas in the
fact of the most severe weather known
in years. In the perlous passages, the
best traditions of the service have been
maintained.
The first submarines to leave got under
way In early winter. Arrangements for
the trip were made without hint appear
ig in the papers, and, In fact. until Sec
rotary Daniels spoke no word of the par
ticipation of the underwater boats in the
war again German 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 PAN
anna, but always in mild seasons of the
year and with plenty of time for pre-
cautlonary steps.
This time. however. they were to go
in winter, and a terrible winter at that,
with the Atlantic in It's ugiest mood. The
steps taken to get them across cannot be
disclosed. But the fact that the depart
ment has no disaster to record is pointed
to as proof Of their sufficiency.
Officers and men of the submarines
faced hard days as they put out. Cramped
i'm narrow quarters and with storms in
prospect they steered to sea with complete
confidence in themselves and their boats.
A laconic report Of uneventful voyages
bore out that confidence.
In mid December others got started
While it was fair on sailing day, ahead
Of the submarines a 1OO-mile gale was
brewing. Into 1t they plowed, rolling and
tumbling. Details of the commanders re-
ports have not been made public, but
among the crews undoubtedly were men
who recalled the first employment of the
submarines at manoeuvers when sea.
| sickness all but put the fotilla out of com.
mission.
But there was no falterng. The boats
| "SiS bOhhb " tiAC liOIt III icdi
| this time. Even when towlines parted
| In some cases unknown to the tugs and
accompanying craft. the submarines
battled forward alone. A majority of then
reached their destination under their owr
power. ready for duty.
Some of the boats were driven far from
their course. They showed up at different
ports, but promptly put to set again ant
reached their station.
| One boat was the hard-luck vessel OF
the lot. Separated from the fotlla ir
the first storm and it's compasses out OF
order. it turned homeward. only to strike
| two more gales in quick succession. How
ever. it made port successfully and UNI
damaged. With new fuel and supplies
aboard and with man Or two, worn ou
by the long struggle with the elements
replaced. in few days the boat put to
sea again. 1t went through that time, de
spite fourth gale it encountered.
Little has been said of the work of thu
British and French submarines in the U
boat hunt. They are playing a definite
part however. and lurking close to enemy
bases. There have been encounters be
tween submarines. some of which reat
like fiction. The service has been describ
ed as a trying one, for which men of cour
age and daring are needed that the Amer
lear submarines are engaged.