The Monticellonian., 1918-01-18

S3G up on every voyage across the Atlantic. | IM In saloons where merchant seamen 6H seek haven and pound the bar with UV hairy fists strong liquors magnify the
 tales, and one concludes that the kais- CTS undersea fleet must be wiped out by now. The navys records are less fanciful strictly adhering to the motto of the man from Missouri
 Here Is the account of an action fought by 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 It is advisable to omit the of the chief boat swain's 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 may go to sea again in charge of another lot of gun ners and if he should be taken prisoner the enemy would not love him for what he did to a missing submarine In his official report he states:
 'Weather hay. Saw submarine firing on topsail 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 on this course for TWO hours and then resumed our original course. At :55 D. m. the submarine appeared out of the haze at 2.o00 yards our starboard beam She Immediately opened fire We changed course to bring her three points the starboard quarter and returned the fire.
 '9he engagement lasted 35 minutes during which time the submarine fired about 40 shots scoring hit under our port counter Il foot from the water, and causing leak. We fired 27 shots. The twenty-sixth shot to hit her just forward of the forward gun, and a cloud of flame and dark gray smoke burst from the hatehes. The crew of the submarine left the gun and ran aft Almost instantly the submarine sank bow first the stern lifting high out of the water, that the propeters could be seen revolving The steamer was leaking and temporary repairs were made by the crew."
 When the ship reached her foreign port of des- tbn finfoI in quiry ordered by the French government A naval lieutenant conducted il with great care and confirmed the verdict of the American gunners. The steamer fought with the American flag flying he stated in his written opinion. firing 27 shots In half an hour. The distance increased about 100 meters for each shot. The twenty-sixth shot ex- ploded, producing thick black smoke, which was visible to all on shipboard. Such explosion must have been produced in the submarine itself. He said, in summing up the evidence:
 'The result of the inquiry is that the fight has been very we'll conducted and that the have shown very fine spirit, doing honor to the Amer ican navy. The conclusion may be drawn that the submarine was hit and probably sunk.
 This was first-class shooting, the submarine steadily drawing away until when struck she was 5000 yards. and more, three land miles from the steamer. Binoculars and telescope sights en- abled the gunners to distinguish her with clear ness and to note the effects of the shell which
  CTS intention to move beyond range and continue the action the chance that he had the bigger guns, but he miscaculated, and paid the price,
 It seemed cruel slant of fortune that this American steamer, which so brilliantly bagged submarine, should have accidentally burned at on her next voyage. There no time to stretch hose muster the crew. AblaZe in instant, she vast furnace while the 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. It all in the days work.
 Very similar to this successful encounter the adventure of the steamer Silver Shell. In this instance also the French ministry of marine added its opinion that the submarine had probably been hit and sunk. The chief gunner promotion shortly after this statement was issued by Secre- tary Daniels:
 William J. Clark of New York chief turret cap tain and commander of the naval gun crew of the Silver Shell, is deserving of promotion, which are 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 very capable man. He is an enlisted man who has seen nearly 12 years of service i'll the navy and has successive promotions by proven capacity. For his work he deserves the very best that can be done for him."
 Here was man fit and ready for his job, and he knew how to put his own spirit and experience into the team play of his gunners. An American naval officer of high rank detailed on special duty at q French post conducted an inquiry and found pleasure in writing to Washington that the mas ter of the Silver Shell particularly enthusiastic over the splendid work of the turret captain and the entire naval gun crew; he also states that his