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

whole displayed most commendable spirit
during the battle
This is precisely as it should be- bluejackets and
merchant seamen standing together, fighting the
enemy one intrepid American crew, and the
Stars and Stripes hOsted the first shot by order
of the skipper. Chief Gunner Clark had the honor
to report to the navy department:
"As the submarine displayed flag and was
coming nearer, fired a shot. The submarine,
which was then about 1000 yards away, replied
Immediately with what seemed to me- on account
of the range, a six-inch gun Her first shot fell
amidships about 100 yards short. We changed
our course due west, increasing speed. The sub
marine followed US, keeping up fire. The fight
lasted from o'clock until about Z 80 p. We
fired % shots. The submarine fired so, in
Guiding some shrapnel toward the end, which ex-
plOded astern Of ship too high TO do any dam
age.
"Our last two shells seem to have hit the sub
marine in the forward part. few seconds later
her bow jumped up, and she went down, stern
upward at an angle of about 40 degrees The sub
marine did not come up again, and I believe it
sunk then and there. No damage was done TO our
ship, and there were casualties"
The steamer still within effective range of
the big guns of the submarine, which could have
had no other reason than sudden attack of acute
illness for vanishing in this abrupt manner. 1t
seems fairly conclusive that shell blew her part
ly out OF water. and then she went lunging and
laundering into the depths. The steamer did not
stop to search for traces of the disaster but
sibly continued along her course. Tankers
linger in the zone.
The American passenger liners, maintaining
their service almost regularly in time Of
peace, would naturally the gantIet much often
er than the same number OF cargo boats. They
sail on an express schedule and spend little time
in port. 1t is secret that they fast and well
armed, able to whip submarine in a fight with
guns. The deadly torpedo is another matter but
speed has SO far been saving factor. 1t is what
the gunners on board call ''the sporty life" nor
recommended q wit SVS-
TENS a restful vocation. For example, one of
these liners, during the first six months Of war,
made only one perfectly tame and routine voyage.
During all ner other trips across there fights
with submarines or escapes from torpedoeS.
Extracts from the navy departments reports of
these steamers may be chosen almost at random
as interesting reading with a thrill in 1t. These
fair samples of what it means to make the
Atlantic voyage, which is no longer a common
place, soothing ocean ferry"
1.-The lookout in the lower crows nest, cox
swain of the naval guard, picked up an oil slick
ahead, which veered of to port at right angles to
the ships course. Following the slick, which was
about the width OF a ship, he suddenly saw the
periscOpe of a submarine appear at the end of it.
about foot out of the water. He instantly
sung out, 'Periscope' and the next moment, Tor
pedo' for the submarine had been exposed scarcely
than second when she fired torpedo. The
enemy was then about 900 yards from the ship
and threefourths point forward Of the beam.
1.-The torpedo was running straight but appar-
when about 200 yards off 1 a streak, then at
depth Of about five feet. 1t dived and passed
under the ship about 80 feet from the stern. Soon
after heading away from the submarine we picked
up an abandoned lifeboat two points off the star
board bow. The submarine had apparently been
lying the life boat and seeing us approach
had headed on to assume position for attack on
port side, probably expecting to pick up the
nfeboat and thus miss seeing him. Fortunately,
however, the oil slick sighted first.
1.-The old hands among the gunners paid at
tentiOn to the torpedo, which was coming right
for them but made every effort to get the guns on
the target, which was the submarines periscope."
What might be called close shave befen anoth-
er steamer on the return voyage.
There were several other ships In the vicinity"
runs the report, Including two tankers and de-
stroyer and two or three tramps. Suddenly peri
scope was sighted quarter OF mile away, show
ing up plainly In the streak OF moonlight on the
water The submarine seemed TO be Just coming
up and had probably misjudged the speed OF the
steamer, having seen her time earlier. Be
fore q torpedo could be fred or the guns manned,
the steamer was right on top OF the submarine
which submerged. The chief officer threw the
helm hard over and went straight for him, hoping