The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-01-26


er's undersea fleet must be wiped out by
now. The navy's records less fanciful strictly
adhering to the motto of the from Missouri.
Here is the account of 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
IL Is advisable to omit the Of the chief boat
SWANS mate who commanded the gun crews He
was promoted to warrant rank as a reward for
the feat and is now stationed ashore but he NAV
go TO sea again in charge of another lot of gun
ners, and If he should be taken prisoner the enemy
would not love him for what he did to missing
submarine. In his official report he states:
Weather hazy. Saw submarine firing on
topsa1 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 2:35 p. N. the submarine appeared out of the
haze at $500 yards our starbOard beam She
Immediately opened fire. We changed course to
)rlng her three points the starbOard quarter
md returned the fire.
1.-The engagement lasted 35 minutes during
which time the submarine fired about 40 shots
scoring one hit under port counter a foot from
the water, and causing leak. We fired 81 shots
The twenty-sixth shot to hit her Just
forward Of the forward gun, and a cloud of flame
and dark gray smoke burst from the matches. The
crew of the submarine left the gun and ran aft
Almost instantly the submarine sank, bow first,
the stern lifting high of the water so that the
prOpellers could be seen revolving The steamer
was leaking and temporary repairs made by
the crew."
When the ship reached her foreign port of des-
tination and reported the victory an Official in
quiry was ordered by the French government. a
naval lieutenant conducted it 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 q shots in
half an hour. The distance increased about 100
meters for each shot The twenty-sixth shot ex-
ploded, producing thick black smoke, which was
To all rd SuoF
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 hit and probably sunk"
This frst-class shooting, the submarine
steadily drawing away until when struck she
5000 yards, and more, three land miles from
the steamer. Binoculars and telescope sights
abled the gunners to distinguish her with clear
and to note the effects of the shell which
ended her Wretched career. It was her command
er's intention to move beyond range and continue
the action the chance that he had the bigger
guns. but he miscalculated, and paid the price.
1t seemed a cruel slant of fortune that this
American steamer, which brilliantly bagged a
submarine. should have accidentally burned at sea
on her next voyage. There no time to stretch
hose muster the crew. Ablaze in an instant,
she was one vast furnace while the men raced for
the with death at their heels All hands got
away, including the navy gunners, and their cruise
in open boats was made without severe suffering.
It all in the days work
Very similar to this successful encounter was
the adventure of the steamer Silver She'll In this
instance also the French ministry OF marine added
its opinion that the submarine had probably been
hit and sunk. The chief gunner won promotion
shortly after this statement was issued by Secre-
tary Daniels:
"yViiliam ]. 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 or the
crew. as we'll and what they have DONE deserve
great credit and distinction The chief turret cap
tain Is a very capable ESe Is an enlisted man
who has seen nearly II years OF service in the
navy and has successive promotions by proven
capacity. For his work he deserves the very best
that be done for him."
Here was man fit and ready for his JOB and
he knew how TO put his spirit and experience
into the team play of his gunners. An American
naval officer OF high rank detailed on special duty
at French post conducted inquiry and found
pleasure in writing TO Washington that 1.-THE mas
ter Of the Silver Shell particularly enthusiastic
over the splendid work Of the turret captain and
the entire naval gun he also states that his
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~U-~~-"o"