Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-02-09

tain course, when the lookout
sighted a torpedo on the starboard
beam. Apparently the torpedo had
been discharged al very close
range.
Before the vessel had time to re-
spond to its helm, the torpedo
jumped out of the water 100 yards
from the ship and struck near the
engine room just on the water line.
The explosion tore large rent in
the ships side. Water rushed in,
filling the boiler room. engine room
and No. 5 hold. The starbosrd life
boat was blown into the air, the
wreckage landing on the wireless
room.
The abandon ship" signal was
given and three boats were lowered.
AS the last boat pulled away a peri
scope appeared above the surface,
scarcely 400 yards away. The sub
marine, still submerged, approached
the ship until SO yards off, and then
again lowered its periscope. A few
minutes later the periscope reap
peared astern the injured ship, and
then the submarine broke surface,
following one of the lifeboats which
was pulling round the stern Of the
vessel.
Merely a Blind"
A German sailor emerged from
the coming tower and shouted some
directions in English to the boats
crew, which still continued to pull
away from their ship.
By this time the submarine was
we'll above the surface, and had
shouted some directions in English
to the boats crew. which still con-
tinued to pull away from their ship.
By this time the submarine was
we'll above the surface, and had
reached a point before the ships
beam about so yards distant. Up
went the white ensign, and the Brit
Usher revealed her. true purpose.
She had not been thoroughly aban-
doned.
Fire spurted from several guns
dead on to the submarine A four
inch shell hit the base of the con-
ming tower and swept both peri
scopes away. Rapid FIRE was main
tanned and other hits recorded.
Badly holed, the submarine took
heavy list to port and several men
appeared on deck as she steamed
slowly across the bows of the de-
coy ship. Spurts of oil from her
side showed the sorry plight she
was in, and more of the crew came
on deck and held up their hands.
The British captain, taking this
for sign of surrender, gave the or
der to cease fire. But no sooner had
he done so than the submarine at
tempted to make off. The decoy
ship was on to her in an instant, and
a deadly fire was opened. A great
explosion sealed the fate of the
enemy; she heeled over on one-side,
poised for an instant and sank stern
first.
A Victorious Victim.
"A lookout man on the decoy re-
ported a submarine three miles
away. For a while the enemy did
nothing save to follow at safe dis
lance. He appeared to be satisfying |
himself that he had superior speed
and gun power.
Reassured on these points, he OPP
ened fire and continued firing, draw
ing closer all tn. while. The fact |
that not single round was returned |
puzzled him, and for a quarter Of an
hour he withheld his fire. Again he
commenced his bombardment, now
steering a parallel course to his
victim"
When he was in a suitable posi-
ton the decoy ship opened fire upon
him, the first round getting home
lust abaft the coming tower. It
was evidently a mortal wound, for
he appeared to lose way and stop
ped,
Seventeen rounds were fired from
he British ship, and round after
-ound found its mark until seven
iirect hits had been scored. II
Not she'll came from the subma- |