Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-08-09
Captain OF Merchant Vessel
Tells Story Of His Ex-
perienceS

London, July l.-By MaiL)-A
mong those who recently have been re
leased from German prison camps and
who have reached this country via
Switzerland is a captain of merchant
vessel who was taken prisoner by the
commander of a submarine after his
vessel had been torpedoed and who
spent 10 days in the U-boat. This
was the I'd ship in which the British
captain had been torpedoed.
The captain s story follows:
"My ship was torpedced withou.
warning. The force Of the explosion
was so great that the bridge was
wrecked, and when | recovered from
the shock | found the ship was sink
ing. None of the crew was injured
and we were all able 10 get away in
the boats
AS we were in British waters, and
ii was broad daylight ! did not fear
that we would not soon reach land,
but hardly had we pulled clear Of
the sinking ship than the U emerged.
The commander summoned us to his
vessel, and ordered me to 60 on board.
After asking for details of my ship
and cargo, he told me to consider my
self prisoner, and sent the boats
away. / was at once haken below
and the vessel dived.'
From what some English speaking
members Of the crew told me the sub
marine had been away from her base
for some days. She was a fairly large
craft, of recent numbering, having 3
torpedo tubes, 2 in the bows and
aft, and carrying 10 torpedoes. She
was also armed with Finch gun
just forward Of the coming tower.
/ had arrivsa just in time for the
midday meal, stew with stringy meat
which was probably horseflesh small
portions of sausage, and black bread.
This bread as the voyage progressed
became mldewed, and then some bread
Of lighter color WHICH had been kept
in an hermetically sealed receptacle
was served out, but was even more
unlalatable than the black bread. The
ether meals were breakfast and sup
per at which coffee, made Of burnt
barley and acorns, was served
''The commander and officers of the
U-boat Jared the same as the lower
ratings, but were able to supplement
their a lOwanee with timed ham. Life
on board the Submarine was by no
mtaus pleasant Forced as we were
to keep below the surface to avoid
the British war vessels the boat sweat
cd and al spare clothing became sat
uratcd with moisture, while the at
mosphcre often became very foul, and
! althing difficult, While we We're
below surface the crew would switch on
the talking machine. That was the
band which played triumphantly when
the u-boat got q victim, Sinking Of
an innocent merehantman caused that
crew as much joy as if they had sunk
a war vessel
Seven Victories
"While | was on board we had
"victory music on 7 occasions, for
steamers were torpedoed, and one
sailing vessel sunk By gunfire, 80 shells
being necessary TO do this. The u
boat also attacked by gunfire several
other steamers during the voyage; but
had TO submerge, owing to intervention
Of British war vessels.
"On the Sd day | gathered that the
U-boat was about to carry ont an at
tack on convoy which had been
sighted. The boat approached under
water for some distance, and torpedoed
a large steamer Our whereabouts
were evidently detected for we diyed
rapidly to great depth. Hardly had
the boat got on an even keel when We
heard a tremendous explosion which
caused the Submarine to vihrate from
stem to stern. II was q depth charge.
The effect on the crew was evident.
All stood trembling with faces hlaneh-
ed with fear, not attempting to say
a word expecting second charge,
For some moments we waited, Engines
were stopped and all means were taken
20 prevent giving away our position.
Minutes seem like hours in such
situation. | must admit that was
turning over ia my mind whether |
should ever see my family again. No
further EXPLOSIONS, however took pace,
and after lying some IL fathoms deep
for long period we continued on our
voyage.
Dreaded 'swasser Bomben
ave had another experience with
depth charges, or 'wasser bomoen
as the German sailors called them
The sailing ship referred to above had
Just been sunk by she'll fire when two
destrcyeYs were sighted on the hori-
zon. and down we went. BY the mi
the propellors could be
heard and as the vessels came nearer
we IN the submarine could hear the
quite distinctly. To and fro
The destroyers went, seagcbing very
for Us Apparently they