Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-03-13
EIGIITEEN BRITISIERS SUNK.
Subs Work Shows Same Result as
That of Last Week.

or submarines i'm the last week, ac-
cording 10 the admiralty report to-
night. OF these twelve were vessels
OF 900 tons or over, six being UNI
der that tonnage. No fishing craft
were sunk
Arrivals Of British merchantmen
II ports in the United Kingdom,
2,0l3; sailings, 2,209; merchant
men unsucccssfully attacked, six.
tThe losses to British shipping in
the last week were the same as in
the previous week with respect to
the number Of merchantmen sunk. In
the previous week. however, Ii Of
the | s vessels destroyed were Of
more than 1000 tons.
40 Italian Losses
Washington, March 7.--German
submarines did not sink a single Ital-
Jan vessel during the week. An OFF,
~ial dispatch to-day says in that pc
riod 3iI merchant ships Of every
nationality representing q total ton
mage of 95,2GO. entered Italian
ports. and 2Sj ships, totalling 225,-
$50 tons, exclusive Of fishing boats
and small craft, left port. No Ital-
ian ship was sunk, though one
steamer was attacked by a subma-
rinc without success.
Get One Out of Five U-Isoats.
washington, Macrh 7.-More sub
marines we're destroyed by the allied
and American naval forces in Dccem-
bcr than Germany was able to build
during that month, according to in
formi& ion reaching Washington. This
fact developed to-day in discussions
of the statement made to Parliament
yesterday by Sir Eric G. Geddes, first
lord Of the British admiralty, that
the submarines were being checked. .
Whether succeeding months have
shown net loss in German submarines
is not known here. 1t Is believed,
however, that the anti-submarine
campaign has proved so effective that
Increased efforts this spring will see
steady decrease in the number Of
U-boats available to prey OH allied
and American shipping.
Feeling of Optimism.
What offcials know Of plans for
pressing home the attack with in
creasing vigor, explains the feeling OF
optimism that prevails IN official cir
cles despite continued heavy drains
on ship tonnage through the u
boats. The gradual decline in tom
mage losses was graphically pictured
to Parliament by Sir Eric with curve
charts.
American naval officials apDear\to
be satisfied that the weapons with
which they expect to crush finally
the submarine menace are forthcom-
ing Increased numbers of patrol
vessels Of various types, appliances
ana devices to make them more cf-
fcctive against underwater craft and
the increased skill Of navy person
mel are among the things upon which
they count. 1t has taken time to de-
wise and build the weapons, but they
are beginning to become available
now
y When the United States entered
the war, the navy contributed
promptly all that It had available to
loin IN the Su ubmarine hunt. Sir Erie
paid high tribute in his remarks to
tho spirit and efficiency of American
naval units, crediting them with
fair share Of what had been accom-
plished Vice Admiral Sims de-
stroyer forces, however, constituted
only the advance guard of what the
American navy planned to furnish
for the fight. Even with that limited
aid. the allied nayics have held the
enemy and are now destroying one
out Of every four or five German u
boats that put to sea.
Americas Help Starts.
Now Americas real contribution
to the naval warfare is about to be
felt. With every passing week. the
strength Of the force will grow, for
il is embodied in the most extensive
construction program ever underta-
ken for the navy Of any power.
The new dcstroyers and other
craft must be added to the patrol
fleets gradually as they are construct
ed. Therefore. no sudden fall off of |
tonnage losses is TO be expected. 1t
has been stated publicly by high |
British naval authorities. however, |
that next August will show beyond |
question that the U.boats have been