The Washington herald., 1918-09-15

in climbing up the conning-tower.
Some fellow trod on his neck. The
jumping wires settled closer and
closer to the water, tangling several
of the crew. Five were struggling
free OF the metal punches strung on
them dixie corks on a fsherma n $
metz as the U-boat wholly disap-
peared.
Few OF the officers or men had on
life preservers. They did not help
much those who wore them. Fewer
tried to swim. 1t was amazing how
helplessly they foundered. Though
the space between the two boats was
no wider than a swimming tank. ex-
haustion seemed to seize all quickly.
The machinist came to the surface
with one hand crooked as II his wrist
were broken. Then he keeled over
and hoated motionless. face down. A
, Pharmacists mate and cox'n leaped
overheard and dragged him alongside.
Others threw over lines, some jumped
In with them. which they Iashed
around the prisoners. 1t was hard
and pretty work. for another destroy
er that was passing close gave a bad
wash. They were grabbed by their
shoulders from on board, lifted until
they got foothold on the strake, An
offlcer squatted on the starboard pro-
peiler guard and raked them in, until
all had been hauled aboard, to be put
under guard and searched.
Tale of a Lost Ship.
The story Of the submarines cap
ture told, another and different kind
OF an adventure will be related. in
which the submarine triumphs. but
her victory was but the beginning of
such a story OF the sea as never ex-
listed, few years ago, in the brain
OF the most fertile writer OF fiction
Comedy is rare in the monotonous
untiring days work of the United
states destroyers in the submarine
zone. BUT the strange case of the
IS. Whitehouse-not her real name
supplies ii. besides one Of those coin
cldences impossible except in ro-
mances Of the sea.
her tale starts on the American side
OF tne ocean. She was one of a score
OF ships from Canada, mostly wheat
Iaueh. under escort OF a converted
DIltlsn cruiser. The convoy was to
destroyers. ~ oui
The first day out fog senar.,o5 .L
vessel from her sisters, Having no ne
radio. she could not pick them un
Her speed was twelve knots ana ~
leving theirs was that as well .ho
plugged on, and on, and on acrosa
o.oo miles Of ocean, puzzled at WIN
she never overlook them. And tbsn
st O'Clock on certain evening tbe
nun Tipped torpedo into her sb.
sank in ten minutes, but not bsfnre
an hands, with Mike Ahearn first
otncer' and Jack, his fox t.rrier
aoandoned ship in two boats. o,Iy
the cabin boy was lost,
Next day the convoy reacb.1 81.
appointed meeting place. American
destroyers surrounded them. ana eli
oent eastward. Their lines OF coJnn,n,
covered several square mile, of tba
ocean. Near midnight a shin or AZ
left hand side of the fleet saw a gIssn,
or light down in the water 70 st.r-
board and crowded Hfeboat mass
close aboard. Her report of This N
the cruiser was delayed. But in dne
time U. s. destroyer was ordered 10
ran out and back trail for the boat
haVlns intercepted the report, she
nad already had the initiative to do
mat But not until the next morn
-@e o'N ohS sikhl llle DIeDOat A
crowded whale boat stood by some
distance off.
''Hal-loo! What shipr' mesapbored
the destroyer's bridge. Who are
you?"
Cargo of "Haythen.s
A man with red hair and a stubbv
nose stood up. Specimens of human
ity curiously dark and naked were
packed under him. Strips and sheets
of canvas covered theni-all like lay
ers of chocolate cake.
"Whitehouse," came his answer.
"Cargo-haythen. From Sierra Leone
to-Allah Mohammed"
The curly head of Zanzibar negro
poked up from the mass. As the de-
stroyer came alongside. murmurs and
prayers arose among the stirring
oiacks. And Mike Ahearn, first mate,
ieaped aboard the American ship
orandishing an axe-and spilling
brogue.
smut up. or III strafe all Of ye,"
ne called back to his crew, "'Tis
now you're saved. and no time TO be
calling on dumb idols. Haven't We
prayed and slept enough these 36
inky skins?''
The marvel Of It broke upon the
laughing destroyer. Here were men
or the conveys lost ship, Keeping
ner course at twelve knots. she had