The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1919-09-19
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feverish activity within the submarines hull were
distinctly heard.
Suddenly there was a dead silence. Then %
revolver shots rang out-three first. followed
by -.
Taking into consideration al! circumstances
and events" continues the account, conclude sub
marine damaged externally, unable to start motor
after repeated attempts. Unable to rise TO surface
and is on bottom in the vicinity. Reports of listen.
es substantiate this conclusion
AS Il matter Of fact, the British naval inteli-
gence department learned later that the crew Of
a German submarine had been lost in the English
channel about this very time. The report, as they
obtained it, indicated that the Hun boat had been
trapped on the bottom and so seriously damaged
she was unable TO rise.
c. S. Scott, engineer of the General Electric
company and member Of the special party sent
abroad. contributes this incident which happened
in the AdriatiC sea:
w had sc chasers based in n little bay on the
island of Corfu and the barrage of boats extended
across the Straits of Otranto, a distance of about
40 miles. The chaSerS were operated in units OF
three, which on patrol kept about one mile
apart. A distance of five miles was kept between
units. Conditions in the Adriatic were ideal for
hunting submarines. The water was very deep,
ranging from 400 to 600 fathoms, which meant that
the submarines when hard pressed could not seek
shallow water as was their custom in the English
channel and the North sea. Due to less shipping
traffic in these waters there was practically no
sound interference, which made for very good
listening.
MANY successful attacks were made in these
waters. one in particular being quite exciting.
zone of the ships in a unit heard what sounded
like a submarine. In a few minutes all three listen
ers had picked him up and the bearing of his
course was being plotted. The middle chaser, the
flagship, was getting readings showing that the
submarine was in a direct line astern and steam
ing toward her.
1.-THE sound was very loud, as if the sub must be
very close. Suddenly the water began to SLAP the
bottom Of the boat, so that everyone could feel it;
and the next moment the observer reported that
his bearing on the submarine had changed from
$50 degrees, which was dead astern, to three de-
grees, which was on our bows. The submerged
submarine had passed directly under the center
boat. All three boats were Immediately got under
way and the attack was delivered. After all the
depth charges had been dropped, the ships were
stopped and observations again taken. A pro-
peller was heard to start up and ran for about 30
seconds; and then a crunching noise was heard.
1t was quite evident that the sub, having been put
out Of control, sank to the bottom and had col
lapsed due to the tremendous pressure at these
depths. W. went back to the spot next morning
and found an oil slick two miles long By 500 yards
Wild on the surface OF the water"
The development Of the submarine detector was
the result Of the fOresighted vision Of the navy
department and the generous cooperation extend.
ed by private manufacturers who had placed their
entire organizations at the disposal Of the gov.
eminent for the period Of the war.
Large electrical manufacturers With exceptional
facilities for research and experimental work
were able to render invaluable assistance in crack.
ing the submarine nut"
In fact, it may be said that 'big business In tn.
commonly accepted meaning Of the term, will be
found to have contributed a very large share to-
ward winning the war when the whole record os
this wars invent ons comes to be writ zen