BATTLE WITH U-BOATS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3186, 10 September 1917, Page 5

BATTLE WITH U-BOATS

BY ALLIED MERCHANTMEN THREE SUBMARINES AND FOUR SHIPS SUNK ' New York, September 7. Tho New York "Tribune" reports that four merchant ships and three U-boats were sunk in a battle between twentytwo merchantmen and seven U-boats. The "Tribune" says that four of tho merchantmen which participated in tho baltlo have arrived at an Atlantic port. Tho officers state that a fleet of twontytwo Allied merchantmen wiled ior American ports, anff wore" attackod. Tho weather was clear, aii!t suddenly two periscopes were sighted, ono on each side of tho fleet. Tiio U-ooats immediacy launched torpedoes, and one struck the merchant flagship, which sank within an hour. Another hit the stern of tho secoßu merchantman, and sho sank in li.alf an hour.

The other merchantmen opened fire, and quickly sank both the submarines, whereupon five other submarines emerged hud lauuehed torpedoes, quickly submerging again as the merchantmen fired at them. The officers say that one of these U-boats was positively sunk. Two additional merchantmen were struck and' sunk. Wireless calls brought destroyors to the scene, and tho merchantmen were convoyed bad; to port. Later :.hoy sailed Tor ffmerica 6lngly.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.