Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-26
LIFE IN SUBMARINE
FULL OF HARDSHIPS
(Continued from First Page.l

'NohtiHutu from tlrSt PaKS.D
ing at varying speeds and distances
around the wreck. Elatcd ut the sue
cess. the submarine thirsted TO put her
down too. but as two more dcstroycrs
had arrived on the scene and were
systematically searching. 1t was not
considered feasible to continue the at
tack.
ION another occasion. two armed aux
:liarics were sighted in tho HcliGoland
Blight. and the leader. the larger Of tho
two, was attacked and torpcdocd. and
was seen to be sinking by the stern.
1T frequently happens that sub
marine does not actually see her vic
tim struck. but she invariably has the
satisfaction of hearing the explosion
If the torpedo gets home.
This was the experience Of sub
marine which. patrolling one morning
OF the Ems. sighted an enemy DESTROY
or. and fred both tubes at range OF
$50 yards. AS the submarine Owed
on firing, the result was not seen. but
after the lapse Of few seconds there
was an exceedingly loud explosion
which was distinctly heard twenty-rve
miles away.
"a quick sweep around with tho
q r
revealed no sign Of the DESTROYER which
hat been fired at. but 400 Yards astern
was another vessel Of the same kind
AS the destroyer was not actually
seen TO be hit at first. II appeared Ike
~ that in reality there was only one
enemy vessel but after the bearings
and distances had been carefully wor.
cd out. this did not seem TO have been
In
the explosion. it is probable that the
magazine blew up. and that would ac-
count for the rapid disa ppearance OF
tho ship.
Yet another instance OF the total
disappearance Of the ship may be cited
one Of our submarines located an en-
envy submarine ahead of ner, and. Civ
Ing chase, reduced the range to 400
yards. Two torpcdoes were fred, and
on" was seen 20 hit. When the smoke
cleared away there was not the vestipe
OF the hostile vessel TO be seen
There arc but few OF the many
instances which could he quoted show
ing III" silent and steal,ny work OF
the submarine
For submarine operations 10 sue
coed II Is necessary To take the enemy
by surprise. and for that reason their
Work is hidden mystery and their
movements wrapped in obscruity The
following extracts from an official re-
port or operations in the He!iEoland
Eight lift for moment the veil of
secrecy and afford n glimpse into The
'te OF one Of these craft.
SUCCESS AND SAFETY
DEPEND UPON COMMANDER
When submarine is subm crGcG
hcr captain alone is able TO see what
is taking place. the success OF the en-
t"rpr!se ana the safety Of the vess p!
depending on his SKIN and nerve ami
the prompt precise execution OF his
orders by the officers and men under
his command.
Our submarines have been pioneers
In waters which have been mined They
have been subjected to skillful AMI
we'll thought out antisubmarine tactics
hy highly trained and determined
enemy. attacked by gunfre and tor
pedo. driven 10 lie at a great depth
10 preserve battery power. hunted for
hours at time By the hostile torpedo
craft. and at times forced to dive
under our own warships 10 avoid in
tertsrirE with thcir movements
sudden alterations OF course and
depth. the swish Of propellers over
head and the concussion OF bursting
shells give an indication TO the crew
Of tho RISKS IN which they are belns