Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1918-01-24
Thrilling Battles MN u
Boats ReUealed by Records
of The Macy Department
BY RALPH o. PAINE.

BY RALPH D. PAINE.
RE American armed merchant ships
"a really sinking any German submarines?
eAA If you believe the waterside
SA rumors and fo'castle yarns, of these
devflfsh marauders is rammed blown
| S91 up on every voyage across the Atlantic.
IM1 In saloons where merchant seamen
Ef4 seek haven and pound the bar with
W. hairy fists strong liquors magnify the
tales, and one concludes that the kais-
erS undersea fleet must be wiped out by
now. The navy's records are less fancifu strictly
aoher1ng 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
II Is advisable to omit the name 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 enemv
would not love him for what he did a missing
submarine In his official report states:
=" Gather hazy- Saw submarine firing
topsall 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 this course for
two hours and then resumed original course
AT 2:o5 p m the submarine appeared of the
haze at $500 yards starboard beam. She
Immediately opened fire. We changed course to
bring her three points on the starboard Quarter
and returned the fire
1.-The engagement lasted 35 minutes, during
which time the submarine fired about 40 Shots
d
the water, and causing leak. We fired 81 shots.
The twenty-sixth shot to hit her just
forward of the forward gun, and cloud of flame
and dark gray smoke burst from the matches. The
crew of the submarine left the gun and aft.
Almost instantly the submarine sank, bow first,
the stern lifting high out of the that the
propellers could be revolving. The steamer
was leaking and temporary repairs were made by
the crew."
When the ship reached her foreign port of des-
tination and reported the victory an official in
Quiry ordered by the French government A
naval lieutenant conducted 1t with great 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-sxth shot
pioded, producing a thick black smoke, which was
visible to all shipboard. Such explosion
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 have
shown very fine spirit doing honor to the Amer
lean navy. The conclusion may be drawn that the
submarine hit and probably sunk
This was frst-class shooting the submarine
steadily drawing away until when struck she was
5000 yards, and more, or three land miles from
the steamer. Binoculars and telescope sights en-
abIed the gunners to distinguish her with clear
ness and note the effects of the shell which
ended her wretched career. 1t 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 cruel slant of fortune that this
submarine. should have accidentally burned at sea
on her next voyage There no time to stretch
hose or muster the w. Abaze in instant,
she was vast furnace while the men raced for
the boats with death at their heels All hands got
away, including the navy gunners, and their cruise
in open boats made without severe suffering
1t 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:
civilian ]. 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
nre now considering All the other members OF the
crew. as well. and what they have done, deserve
great credit and distinction. The chief turret cap
tain IS a very capable man. He is an enlisted man
who has seen nearly IL years of service in the
navy and has successive promotions by proven
capacity. For his work he deserves the very best
that can be done for nim."
Here was a man ft and ready for his Job. and
he knew how put his own spirit and experience
into the team play Of his gunners- An American
naval officer high rank detailed on special duty
pleasure IN writing Washington that the mas
ter of the Shell particularly enthusiastic
over the splendid work of the turret captain and
the entire naval gun he also states that his