FIGHT WITH A "U" BOAT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 225, 11 June 1918, Page 4

FIGHT WITH A "U" BOAT

FINK GUNNERY ON AN AMERICAN STEAMER, Mr. Daniel:;, the Secretary of the Navy, recently commended Benjamin H. Groves, gunner's mate of the armed guard aboard 'the American steamer' Nyaiua, for a successful running fight with n German submarine' for two and a halt hours on January 15. The German craft was put "out of commission" by four American shells. Tho report of the commanding officer says:—

"Tne periscope was sighted about 1000 yards distant at the same time as the torpedo was seen approaching. Tho vessel's stern was 'struck' clear in- time to avoid tho torpedo, and the. Nyanza opened fire with her aft gun. The submarine fell rapidly astern, and then came to (lie surface and gave chase. At about 7000 yards the submarine opened firo from two of her guns, using shrapnel, and zig-zagging in order to uso both guns at tho same lime. After a number of shots had falleu short tho submarine got range, and hit the Nyanza five times. One shot passed through the gun platform, the -wooden shelter-house, and iron deck, breaking the deck beam and passing out through the other side of the ship. One shot exploded in the armed guards' messroom, wrecking it. Tho submarine had our 1-ango again at the same lime- as tho Nyanza had her range. Tho Nyanza fired four shots quickly, causing the submarine to como broadside, heel over, and then suddenly disappear."