Evening star., 1952-11-25
CHAPTER XIV.
Tang.

"S>> ~>~S" - SA~sSS = s4He y OOoeSA 0NO4'
was much higher Nian even tina
imposing figure, and that a roun.
sum total of 80 would be nearer
the truth, for the Japanese ten.
dency to save face resulted il
concealing or minimizing man,
losses. and the confusion int
which their merchant marine wa!
thrown by the continuous depre.
dations of United States subma.
rines upset their whole accountin,
system. until they themselves hac
not the slightest idea which o1
their ships remained afloat.
In Dangerous Area.
On August II, 1914, O'Kane hac
selected a post of the coast o1
Honshu known as Mkt Saki fol
a submerged patrol. It soon be.
came evident that he had correctl,
gauged a hot spot, for a modern
gunboat. which he described a.
loaded with depth charges,
cruised in the area, while a non.
descript motorboat wandered
about with six lookouts keeping
a sharp watch.
All day was spent in avoidins
these two characters, but at about
1900 the motorboat. by great gooc
luck, sighted the periscope of the
queSting submarine, and tailec
her from then on.
Not good, this, but Tang is moi
one to give up just because a little
boat latches on to her.
Shortly before TOO smoke i.
sighted. Tank starts the ap.
proach. and the smoke resolves it.
self into two heavily laden ships
escorted by the gunboat anc
another escort. Both ships are
running as close to the beach as
they dare. and Tang goes right on
in after them, followed by the ubi-
quitous motorboat.
The approach develops normal
ly. and it is not long before
OKane finds himself just where
he wants to be, broad on the
leading targets beam, ready to
shoot. Just then there is an ex.
cited report from the sound man
Fast screws, Captain! Bearing
two one f1ve!"
OKane spins the periscope
around for a quick look. The
has evidently warned
the gunboat. and that worthy i.
now charging down on Tang with
a bone in his teeth and a look OF
fury suffusing his sleek hull. A
and a half to get here
There is time-barely-to fire the
fish.
"Fire!" Three torpedoes, properly
spaced. are fired at the leading
ship.
SHIFT targets! Second ship!"
Lucky Miscalculation.
FIRE." Even before the second
fish of this three-torpedo salvo is
on it's way, O'Kane turns back to
the gunboat. just in time to see
him charge across the stern at full
speed. Evidently he had misjudged
the subs direction of motion,
which is a lucky break. Another
free. at least.
In the meantime, as soon as the
last torpedo is fired, the word is
passed through the ship: rig for
depth charged"
Take her down." O'Kane
orders. but he keeps the scope up.
Dick has time to see the ex-
plosion, and the ship breaking into
TWO pieces. before the periscope
goes under as Tang seeks the
shelter of the depths.
But this is by no means all for
this merry afternoon. The Jap
yunboat has quickly realized his
mistake and has reversed course.
Sound carefully keeps on him, and
soon his bearing is steady. His
screws slow down-he is listening
and probing with his echo-ranging
gear. The high-pitched ping OF
his sound gear coming in over
Tanks receiver - Peep-peep-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. re-
lentlessly this way and that, grow
ing louder when he is on the bear
ing, diminishing when he is off
Standby! He's starting a
rum" The word is whispered over
the ships sound-powered tele-
phones, as though the use of full
voice might help the enemy ir
locating the sub.
Coming on the range now!'
The report is muttered as though
in meditation. Coming on the
range He's dropped the first