Evening journal., 1918-07-05
SAY Depth bombs
SUNK Z U-pOATS
Passengers on Liner Tell OF
Spectacular Naval
Battle
SHIP MEETS THIRD
IN ONE DAY

NEW YORK, July b,--A giant British
liner which arrived yesterday at an
Atlantic port took part in a reyerher-
ent premature Fourth OF July oelebra-
tion on juno %, in which American de-
stroyers assisted In sinking two German
submarines. This occurred after one
of the U-voats had sent g torpedo into
the vitals OF the British transport
6rissa, one OF a convoy Of eight YES
sells, including the liner, bound for
America.
The fate OF another U-boat, which at
tempted later 10 attack the big Brlton
carrying III passengers Is left IN dougt
but that she was disabled by depth
bombs discharged by the liner and a
destroyer was the prevailing opinion.
The concussion due TO the simulta-
neous crushing OF whole batteries Of
depth charges shook the liner like set
Quakes, and one passenger remarked
that no feared the rlvets had been torn
from her plates. u was the mightiest
upheavel OF geysers and rumble OF sub
aqueous thunder, combined with tho
barking Of six inch guns from seven os-
corting destroyers, one cruiser and tho
conveyed merchantmen ever heard, felt
and seen outside big naval flght.
The III passengers were glad to be
IN port alive, but they said they would
not have missed the experience. trying
Rs It was on their nerves while 1t last
cd, for it gave them a taste Of what
real warfare on the ocean might be
hike.
II was said by the best informed
passengers that every merchant ship In
Che squadron was equipped with de-
vices for hurting depth bombs and the
big liner depended hleny on these for
protection, although she still carried
guns. This, II is understood, Is the
case now with all the big and little
chips, whether transports, cargo car
riers or liners.
The story OF the Incident has not
been made public by the British Ad-
miralty, but all OF the lucky and happy
ST know pretty mu b all about II, and
they were quite eager TO tell II yes
terday.
Il was p. m. Tuesday, June 25,
shout day out on the Atlantic, in
pleasant weather that the perisoope OF
submarine was seen by lookouts on
one Of the seven destroyers nearest to
the two steamships at the stern OF the
squadron, sieamlng two abreast. The
big liner and a transport headed the
procession.
Presently the liner shvered. The first
depth bomb, launched from a destroy
er, had exploded. Then the fireworks
and waterworks began IN earnest, and
,siren alarms sent passengers 90 their
stations at the lifeboats.
In was clear daylight and they could
nee the tremendous cOmmOtiOn IN the
feet OF transports, merchantmen and
war craft. Some who had been In
their berths or IN public rooms Of the
ship thought the liner had been tor
pedoed OF was being torpedoed, shelled
or otherwise mutllated, so vast and
awe inspiring were the upheavals OF
the sea and the thunder OF bombs and
guns.
bad a chance 20 look around and size
mp the sesscape they noted that the
eternmost ship OF the CONVOY, the Orls- !
ta, seemed to be aflre. She was more
Than mile Off, and could be seen plain
ly with the naked eye. She settled by |
fhe stern and soon after her main deck /.
was awasn. Twenty minutes after she /
svas hit her bow reared and she van
ished In whirlpool in 400 fathoms
or more.
The passengers learned later that the
torpedo had pierced, the Orissa's engine /
room, smashing through her quarter, |
and had killed seven or eight OF her /
vrew. The rest OF the crew were seen |
her in their own boats. !
They were picked up by destroyers and
placed on other vessels OF the merchant |
end transport squadron The big liner
received no survivors, heard Indirectly
from some Of them. It was said also
that one Of the destroyers had mega
phoned TO another that the submarine
MAT sank the Orlssa had been de-
Etroyed
The squadron sailed along serenely
thereafter until about D. M, when
C-boat appeared on the port side OF hhe
transport that was abreast Of the liner,
both heading the convoy. The loOkouts
OF the liner saw tue submersible, and
the big ship hurled a depth bomb
toward her. simultaneously a destroyer
began shelling tho U-boat. Other depth
bombs were launched. and several pas
sengers declare that they are sure that
.he submarine was smashed. Their Inn |
preston was confirmed later by an on /
bal announcement. which said also /
hat the first submarine shared the /
1ther'5 fate.
The nerves OF the excited voyagers
were vibrant. and when in the late
IA nl |